KZN Legislature's new initiatives for informal traders
Image: Supplied
Informal trading infrastructure projects were the point of focus at the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on Tuesday.
The Economic Development and Planning Portfolio Committee met with the Impendle and Msunduzi municipalities for project updates.
The KZN Economic Development and Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) awarded R900,000 to Impendle Municipality for the construction of 18 galvanised steel vendor stalls.
The project provided alternatives to containerised structures and provided dignified trade spaces. The municipality stated that the project improved the image of the CBD and brought some confidence in the recognition of informal trade.
In its report, the Impendle Municipal Infrastructure for Informal Enterprises (MIE) had spent R877,000 to supply, deliver, and erect market stalls. The project closeout phase is expected to be completed on August 30, 2025.
Satishrai Bhanprakash, IFP MPL, raised concerns about the long-term maintenance plans for the structures, which he feared would be open to theft.
The municipality stated that it did have a maintenance plan and that the metal structures were galvanised and durable.
The committee also called for better oversight and proper details on invoicing.
Also discussed was the construction of 15 brick and mortar structures for the Inzinga\ KwaNxamalala Trading Units project, which received R2.1 million from EDTEA in the 2022/23 financial year.
According to Impendle Municipality, the Inzinga settlement is mapped as a secondary node on Impendle's spatial development framework.
The node already has schools, a sports field, a primary clinic, and a tribal court. The area is missing commercial service.
"This application aims to close this gap. The implementation of this project will help in the strategic objective to bolster area area-based management plan. The idea is to provide options so that they don't have to travel to the Impendle CBD for minor day-to-day needs," the report stated.
The implementation was delayed due to limited funding in 2024\2025 with a funding agreement concluded in December 2024. Work is expected to start in August 2025 subject to the finailisaton of a lease agreement with the Ingonyama trust.
Shontel De Boer, a DA MPL, said she was not happy with the reports when the committee conducted an oversight in Impendle.
'The report lacked details. We asked alot of questions at the meeting and we were promised a detailed report to make a decision. This report is also too vague,' she said.
Mafika Mndebele, the chairperson of the committee in the legislature, urged the municipalities to do all they can to ensure that the projects are implemented.
Phindile Zondi, the Msunduzi Municipality manager of Economic Planning and Infrastructure, spoke of the redevelopment of the Ematsheni Development Services situated on Retief Street in the Pietermaritzburg CBD. They received R3 million from EDTEA while the municipality invested R1 million.
Zondi said the site was previously developed as a beer hall, which further supports the proposal, which is to enhance informal traders and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).
'In 2017, the site was demolished and mobilised for funding. Vagrants moved onto the property and undertook illegal activities. With the funding, we changed the narrative. It is expected that a contractor will be appointed during August 2025 to commence with the implementation of Phase 1 of the project,' Zondi said.
The site establishment is expected to commence in September 2025 for nine months.
[email protected]
The redevelopment of the Ematsheni Development Services situated on Retief Street in the Pietermaritzburg CBD. The project is estimated at R4 million.
Image: Msunduzi Municipality
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
5 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
SMME Focus — Youth Tech Programme sparks jobs and innovation from code to community
Liquid Intelligent Technologies' programme is equipping young innovators with digital skills, funding and mentorship. From the digital hubs of North West to the townships of the Eastern Cape, young South Africans face a daunting reality. According to Stats SA, youth unemployment reached 62.4% nationally for those aged 15 to 24 in the first quarter of this year. However, the Liquid Intelligent Technologies Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme is equipping young innovators with digital skills, funding and mentorship. Last month, the programme celebrated 20 graduates at Liquid Intelligent Technologies' Johannesburg headquarters. The event featured a pitchathon where four standout start-ups presented their innovations to a panel of industry judges. ProLink, a digital platform connecting users with verified contractors in Mthatha, won the top prize of R100,000 in seed funding and a 12-month business support package. 'We have created employment opportunities by hiring two interns who are actively involved in platform development and community engagement,' said Qhawe Mlengana, chief project director at ProLink. Mlengana added that the startup was founded with the vision of not only connecting clients with certified professionals, but also empowering those in the informal sector who lack formal qualifications. Over the next year ProLink plans to launch their platform and scale their presence across the Eastern Cape. Tracking down livestock theft Other finalists included HerdTrace, which uses GPS-enabled ear tags and health monitoring to combat livestock theft; Otomex Innovations, leveraging AI to address mental health challenges; and The Eye of Tech, focused on expanding digital skills in rural communities. 'We started HerdTrace because we come from communities where livestock isn't just income; it's survival, education and legacy,' said Zusiphe Makeleni, head of marketing at HerdTrace. Makeleni shared the heartbreak of witnessing farmers losing livestock they rely on, with no safety net to fall back on. This growing crisis has also caught the attention of political parties like the DA which highlighted a worrying increase in stock theft across the Eastern Cape. Recent figures show that stock theft cases have risen by 8.5%, with 1,628 incidents reported in the latest quarter alone. For Makeleni, stock theft is more than a crime, 'it threatens education, generational progress and dignity'. HerdTrace addresses this by using GPS-enabled ear tags, tamper alerts, health monitoring and geofencing to give farmers real-time updates and peace of mind. Before joining the Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme, the team had passion and a clear problem but lacked the full business picture. The programme helped them to validate their market, sharpen their pitch and build a sustainable business model. Mindful innovation Meanwhile, Okuhle Badli, COO of Otomex Innovations, said their invention of MindPal isn't 'just a tech product'. 'It's a culturally attuned, locally designed mental health platform built for Africa's realities,' he said. Badli added that gaining recognition and funding in the mental health sector had been challenging. To overcome this his team focused on purpose-driven innovation, building partnerships and creating their own pathways through bootstrapping and incubators. MindPal is designed to be flexible and accessible. It also offers offline USSD access and scalable NGO and school partnerships, making it a trusted platform tailored specifically to the needs of African communities. What this means for you If you're a young person with tech ambitions, the Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme could be your gateway. The programme runs annually, with applications usually opening around March and April. Announcements are made on the Liquid Intelligent Technologies SA LinkedIn page and through their implementation partner, Deviare. The programme lasts 12 months, followed by an additional 12 months of support for winning entrepreneurs to help them grow their start-ups. Application criteria: Unemployed youth aged 18 to 35. Matric certificate required; tertiary qualification is a plus. An entrepreneurial mindset is essential. Selection includes aptitude testing. Turning challenges into opportunities The programme offers a year-long, MICT Seta-accredited curriculum in artificial intelligence and software development, combined with comprehensive mentorship, business development support and access to funding. Building a tech ecosystem The programme's holistic approach ensures participants not only gain technical skills, but also develop the entrepreneurial acumen necessary to launch and scale their ventures. This includes pre-incubation support, networking opportunities and access to cloud resources through Microsoft's Founders Hub, enabling start-ups to build robust, market-ready solutions. DM
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
R500 in 2015 vs 2025: The scary cost comparison of a basket of groceries
In just 10 years, the power of R500 in South Africa has dramatically declined, painting a stark picture of rising food prices and shrinking household budgets. What once bought a trolley full of groceries in 2015 now barely fills a shopping basket in 2025 – and families are feeling the pinch more than ever. Back in 2015, R500 went a long way. Staple items like bread, milk, maize meal, chicken, eggs, and fresh produce could all be purchased in a single shopping trip, providing a well-rounded set of essentials for an average household. Example 2015 grocery list for R500 White Bread (700g) – R11.25 – R11.25 Maize Meal (5kg) – R25.00 – R25.00 Rice (1kg) – R20.00 – R20.00 Full Cream Milk (1L) – R12.00 – R12.00 Eggs (1 Dozen) – R24.00 – R24.00 Chicken Portions (1kg) – R45.00 – R45.00 Apples (1kg) – R15.00 – R15.00 Potatoes (1kg) – R10.00 – R10.00 Cooking Oil (2L) – R40.00 – R40.00 Sugar (2kg) – R25.00 – R25.00 Mince (1kg) – R60.00 Total: R487.25 Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape has changed. Prices have surged – with some basic items like cooking oil, mince, and eggs doubling or even tripling in cost. Same grocery list in 2025 White Bread (700g) – R24.00 – R24.00 Maize Meal (5kg) – R50.00 – R50.00 Rice (1kg) – R45.00 – R45.00 Full Cream Milk (1L) – R30.00 – R30.00 Eggs (1 Dozen) – R60.00 – R60.00 Chicken Portions (1kg) – R90.00 – R90.00 Apples (1kg) – R37.00 – R37.00 Potatoes (1kg) – R40.00 – R40.00 Cooking Oil (2L) – R120.00 – R120.00 Sugar (2kg) – R65.00 – R65.00 Mince (1kg) – R130.00 – R130.00 Total: R691.00 R500 now falls short by nearly R200 to purchase the same items as in 2015 – a staggering decline in real value. Several key factors have driven this erosion in purchasing power: Inflation & Rand Depreciation: An average inflation rate of 6-8% yearly has chipped away at the rand's strength Fuel & Transport Costs: Rising petrol prices have pushed up food transport costs, inflating retail prices Climate Change: Droughts have disrupted farming and driven up the prices of locally produced food Supply Chain Disruptions: Global shocks such as COVID-19 and geopolitical tensions have caused shortages and price spikes Rising Input Costs: Higher costs for fertiliser, electricity, and labour have been passed down to consumers Inflation calculator tells the story Using a basic inflation calculator, R500 from 2015 is roughly equivalent to R900-R1 000 in 2025 terms. This illustrates just how much buying power has been lost – R500 today buys only about half of what it did 10 years ago. As grocery prices climb, households are finding creative ways to stretch their money: Buying in bulk and storing dry goods like maize, flour, and rice and storing dry goods like maize, flour, and rice Switching to no-name brands and prioritising cheaper protein alternatives and prioritising cheaper protein alternatives Reducing meat consumption in favour of plant-based proteins in favour of plant-based proteins Growing home gardens for fresh vegetables and herbs for fresh vegetables and herbs Shopping at wholesalers instead of chain supermarkets R500 in 2025 simply does not buy what it used to – and millions of South Africans are feeling the effects of this reality every time they go shopping. Without focused action on inflation, food production, and economic reform, the gap will continue to widen, putting even basic nutrition out of reach for many families. From a full trolley in 2015 to a shrinking basket in 2025, the story of R500 is a mirror of South Africa's economic journey. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
12 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
E-hailing drivers calling for industry regulation
JOHANNESBURG - E-hailing drivers have complained about unfair work practices, blaming the industry for not being regulated enough. The business works as a private entity, limiting government intervention; however, this is something drivers want to see change. ALSO READ: - Uber says it understands concerns over salaries raised by its drivers - Protesting e-hailing drivers say policy, rate changes have hit their pockets hard On Tuesday, more than 100 drivers took to the streets, causing traffic in the north of Johannesburg. The drivers claimed that 50% of each of their trips is deducted by the service provider. One of the protestors even said that this has resulted in her profits dropping ten times, leaving her with less than R5,000 a month. Another driver, Victor Mpongo, said he is not benefitting from the association with Uber because he bears the brunt of all additional costs. 'The vehicle belongs to us, insurance is from us, fuel is from us, the phone that we are using is from us, the risk is from us - there is nothing that we are getting from these companies.' In a written statement, Uber committed to ensuring that services continue. However, drivers said they will continue downing tools until they are met with to renegotiate working terms.
