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Industrial
and Commercial land development and premises
Booth
West Industrial Park and Value Centre: aims at maximising
job creation for Cato Manor residents as well as maximising
revenues to be reinvested in socio-economic projects in
Cato Manor. Project is in packaging stage, with the land
assembly in progress and the preliminary design started.
Construction to start in May 2002. Plans are developed to
construct a Motor City on the Value Centre site.
Edwin
Swales Industrial Park: aims at maximising job creation
for Cato Manor residents as well as maximising revenues
to be reinvested in socio-economic projects in Cato Manor.
Project is in packaging stage, with the land assembly in
progress and the preliminary design started. Construction
to start in May 2002
Booth
Central Industrial and Commercial Land: aims at
preparing land along Booth Road Central for industrial and
commercial development. Project is in packaging stage, with
the land assembly in progress and the preliminary design
started. Construction to start in May 2002.
Chesterville
Economic Hive: The CMDA is still investigating a
possible site to construct an economic hive in Chesterville.
Wiggins
Economic Hive: CMDA is preparing for the upgrading
of the Housing Support Centre in Wiggins to an economic
hive. This hive is mainly targeting business people living
at Wiggins. The steering committee comprising of the metropolitan
and community representatives has been set up. Natal Portland
Cement has been approached to supply technical support and
upgrading the block yards. The planning is progressing.
Nokuthula Ngcobo from the Fast Track
will soon be operating her sewing business
from the proposed Wiggins Container Park.
Molver
Road Economic Hive: CMDA is planning to formalise
the informal development of business units in Cato Crest’s
Molver Road into an economic hive. A steering committee
is being set up. Discussion around the upgrade has been
initiated.
This
site at the entrance to Molver Road will be converted into
an economic hive. Watch this space for more details.
Intuthuko
Junction: Cato Manor’s first office building, Intuthuko
Junction is nearing completion and CMDA has already moved
in. The building is now fully let. Construction to be completed
by the end of February 2002. Tenants to take on occupation
by March 1. Planning is being done for construction of two
more pods.
Vocational
Training
Industrial
skills development: aims at setting up grant/bursary
scheme for unemployed residents in Cato Manor wishing to
attend accredited courses for purposes of employment in
the wage market. Skills targeted are fork lift operators,
welding and cutting, hoist operator, receptionist, computer
skills and heavy duty drivers. 85 people were trained during
phase 1 - 300 people will be trained during phase 2, and
recruitment is currently underway.
Multi-skilling
Career Development Path: aims at increasing the
viability of the Cato Manor Construction SMMEs that operate
in the construction industry through the application of
sound business, contracting and technical skills, which
will lead to the creation and sustenance of employment.
Three categories of entrepreneurs were trained i.e. homebuilders,
small contractors and civil contractors. A total of 119
people have been trained during phase one and two of this
project. The training for civil contractors is currently
underway.
Job
Opportunities Bureau: aims at facilitating the employment
of Cato Manor residents through linking up job seekers with
contractors on projects in Cato Manor. CMDA have also started
linking job seekers with some employers outside the area
that advertise vacancies in the media.
Basic
Business Management Skills: aims at equipping current
and emerging entrepreneurs of Cato Manor with skills that
will enable them to establish, operate and manage business
undertakings effectively. A total of 200 people have already
been trained. Another 30 out of 70 people to be trained
in 2002 have started their training.
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Urban
Agriculture: a training course for gardeners already
cultivating the designated open spaces in Cato Manor on
vegetable production, soil management and creating market
gardens. 90 people were trained during phase 1 and another
90 will be trained during phase 2.
Business
Support
Short
Term Guarantee Finance: The scheme aims at improving
access to working capital loans for local contractors working
in Cato Manor projects. The scheme is operational and successful.
LED
Vehicle: CMDA is in the process of establishing
a team which will sustain economic development in Cato Manor
after CMDA closes down. Workshops are being held with metropolitan
and community representatives to determine the configuration
of it.
Legacy
and Tourism project: The beautiful Art and Craft
Centre which houses the Cato Manor Craft Project and the
Ithunga Art Project will officially be launched by the end
of March 2002.
A Tourism office for visitors to Cato Manor is under construction
at Intuthuko Junction and will open in 2002. An Internet
Café to offer computer services to Cato Manor residents
is situated next door and will also open in 2002.
Vuleka Productions won the tender for the Oral History project
and have commenced interviews with former Cato Manor residents
of the 1940s and 1950s. Several Cato Manor residents will
attend a tour guide training course in February 2002.
Craft
Merchandising: 80 Cato Manor residents are being
trained to produce high quality craft for export and sale
to tourists in Durban. Training focusses on sewing and smocking,
beadwork, grass work, plastic recycling and crocheting.
They are being assisted in registering as co-operatives.
This project has drawn a lot of interest from the domestic
and international market. The official launch of the Crafts
Centre and programme will be at the end of March 2002. The
Ithunga Arts project, with several Cato Manor artists, has
also taken up space in the Centre.
Building
Materials Manufacture: A feasibility study and business
plan have been conducted to analyse the building manufacturing
sector in Cato Manor. The proposal is to set up a central
distribution and support unit for the sector, providing
services such as bulk purchase, transport, marketing and
business support. A steering committee is being set up.
Application for financial assistance for Phase 1 has been
submitted to the City for approval on 6 March 2002.
ESC
Incubator/Industrial Workshops: Hosted in the industrial
workshops along Booth Road Central, the Entrepreneurial
Support Centre will provide business support services for
small scale manufacturers. Recruitment of the ESC staff
is underway. The ESC offices in the Intuthuko Junction are
to be completed by the end of February 2002.
Consultants for the development of the industrial workshops
have been appointed, sketch plans have been completed. Necessary
funding to be approved in the near future.
Small
Business Fair 2002: Preparations have already started.
A survey on how to mobilise and develop small businesses
in Cato Manor has been conducted. Sponsorship request has
been sent to Durban Metro. Planning is progressing.
Small
Business Loans: This is a follow-up and support
programme to the Home Ownership programme. It arises from
the module called Affordability. It focuses on savings clubs,
community banks, flea markets and co-operatives. The project
targets 67 clubs and has reached 45 savings clubs, strengthening
them as small business organisations. So far five flea markets
have been held at Westridge Park and at Bellair Road and
currently working on the 6th. The purpose of the flea market
is to unite the savings clubs, prepare the way for the Community
Banks and give them wider business exposure. Currently research
is being conducted into models from other countries for
community based savings and credit operations.
On
the co-operative front:
-
Masibambane Cleaning Co-operative has currently established
a viable recycling operation based at the Wiggins Economic
Hive;
- Umkhumbaan
Block Making has started block making production in a
small way;
- Two
Sticks Cultural/ Craft Co-operative is developing a viable
cultural/ craft co-operative;
- Agricultural
co-operative which is based on gardens clubs, in preparation;
- Youth
Co-operative, in preparation.
Philani
Nkomo will soon relocate his ironing board manufacturing
business to the new Cato Crest Container Park.
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