Local Economic Development

• Industrial and Commercial land preparation underway in Booth Corridor and Edwin Swales (see construction projects update on page 5).

• Container Park Cato Crest: The park is fully operational with park management being conducted by the Cato Crest Co-operative.

• Wiggins Economic Hive: To be operational in 2003 (refer to construction project update on page 5).

• New ESC Premises (refer to construction project update on page 5).

• Molver Road Economic Hive: A shipping container for safe storage has been placed on site together with 10 gazebos for hire on a daily basis. In addition 10 lockable metal trunks are available for hire for overnight storage inside the container. This system is now working and is an improvement on the former shack shops that dominated this area.

• The Admin Support Centre: Intuthuko Junction: In response to the continuing demand for space in the complex, construction of two more pods has begun. The extension will be completed in May 2003.

Cato Crest Container Park is fully operational with its management being conducted by the Cato Crest Co-operative.

The Informal Market along Bellair Road offers a variety of economic opportunities which includes a traditional muti vendor (above).

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. One hundred and one people were trained during Phase 1. Twelve people have just completed training on trade hand fitting and operator welding and have now been placed. Ninety eight people have been assessed from whom 60 people will be trained on office support and call centre. Further training will be focussed on the New Albert Luthuli Hospital in Cato Manor.

• 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 of employment. The training for civil contractors has been completed and a majority of these trainees are involved in building houses at the Dunbar and Booth Road Projects.

• Job Opportunities Bureau: aims at facilitating the employment of Cato Manor residents through linking up job seekers with contractors on projects in Cato Manor. To date a total of 5 537 names have been captured on the database and 1 586 people have been placed in jobs within Cato Manor and further ahead. A total of 64 CMDA projects have used the JOB database.

• 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. Recruitment of 40 more candidates is underway.

• Urban Agriculture: a training course for gardeners already cultivating at designated open spaces in the Cato Manor area on vegetable production, soil management and creating market gardens. Ninety people were trained during Phase 1. Phase 2 of this project has commenced and training is ongoing.

Intuthuko Junction Phase 2 will have 1300m2 lettable office accommodation - it is expected to be fully occupied by the end of May 2003.

The construction of the New Dunbar pre-school is expected to be completed in March 2003. It is one of five such facilities that are currently under construction.

Business Support

• Short Term Guarantee Finance: The scheme aims at improving access to working capital loans for local contractors working on Cato Manor projects.

• SED Vehicle: CMDA in close co-operation with the City is in the process of establishing a socio economic development organisation which will sustain economic development in Cato Manor after CMDA disbands.

• Legacy and Tourism project: The New Cato Manor Tourism Office comprises of four components: (1) The Cato Manor Visitors Centre, which will open soon; (2) The Internet Coffee Bar is run by Nina Lutchman trading as PJ’s Internet Café. The facility was opened on 8 May 2002; (3) The Umkhumbane Conference Centre which also forms part of the Tourism Office is also open and available for bookings. (4) A component of the Tourism Centre is the Interpretative Centre, a small museum exhibiting artefacts relating to the history and development of Cato Manor, which will be opened in 2003.
The Tourism Awareness Campaign in Cato Manor is well underway. Several local tour guides have been trained and are now taking Cato Manor visitors around the project area.

• 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. Applications to the City and the private sector for financial assistance for Phase 1 are awaiting approval.

• Craft Merchandising: The project and the Umkhumbane Arts and Culture Centre at Bellair Road was spectacularly launched on the 17th May 2002. This event was graced by the presence of the former Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr M. Mabuyakhulu and other dignatories. Preparations to establish a centre in Chesterville are afoot and trainee recruitment is still in progress. Recent visits to USA and France have resulted in big orders for crafts.

• Small Business Fair 2002: It was held in Chesterville on the 27th and 28th of July and was graced by the presence of the Acting Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Dr Zweli Mkhize and other dignitaries from the private and public sector. This year’s event was marked by the exhibition of varied and high quality goods and most stands were manned by women. Innovation, style and flair were some of the attributes that impressed the judges who awarded prizes to the three best stands. The winners were sponsored to exhibit their wares at the Durban Business Fair held in September. Two major sponsorships were received from the Provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism and Eskom and they each gave a sponsorship of R30 000 and R25 000 respectively. This was money well spent as initiatives of this nature are a means of promoting township economic regeneration.

• Small Business Loans: This project focuses on strengthening and setting up 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 another is in the pipeline. The purpose of the flea markets is to unite the savings clubs, prepare the way for the Community Banks and give them wider business exposure. Research is being conducted into models from other countries for the establishment of a community based savings and credit operation.

---