06-08-2025
Bakery project rises with opportunities
AROUND 15 jobs are expected to be created with a bakery and agricology project which is to be launched soon at Dunkirk Park.
The Bakery Upskill Project and the Urban Agricology Project, a joint venture between Ward 32, Ward 33, and the Umbilo Business Association (UBA), will be a game changer for the community. In December, the eThekwini Municipality council approved funding of R6.75m for the implementation of the community bakery programme in five communities.
Areas that were set to benefit were Albert Park, KwaXimba, KwaMakhutha, oThongathi, and Ntuzuma/Inanda. UBA's Tash Wells said the organisation was approached by Ward 32 councillor Protas Mngonyama to join the venture as a 'citizen consulting group on securing financial and entrepreneurial resources'.
The wheels to get the project up and running were set in motion earlier this year, with the UBA applying to adopt the spot, and Ward 33 councillor Fran Kristopher investing in the fencing of the area, following the release of Community Improvement Programme budget by the city. The businesses on the lower end of Umbilo had raised concerns about the park invasions and the loitering of vagrants which is affecting their businesses daily.
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'Our goal is to apply ubuntu economic principles to grow local Umbilo jobs as a crime reduction measure,' said Wells. 'The idea is to turn the once rundown park into a beautiful space for people to stop by, to rejuvenate the area, turning this space into a little tea garden where local college students can stop by and grab something fresh to eat.'
Following an oversight visit earlier this week, Kristopher said she was pleased with the progress made so far, with the container now on site.
'The new bakery is almost ready to be launched. Together with the assistance from the UBA, we are hopeful that this space will be turned around and be put to good use, assisting many across the community with affordable baked goods and fresh vegetables.
'I am proud to be a part of this venture, with my two neighboring councillors, who have also welcomed this initiative and motivated for it to come to light. It's joint efforts such as these, whereby one puts all differences aside and focuses on the very reason why we are in the positions that we are in.'
Her enthusiasm was shared by Mngonyama: 'This initiative sends a strong message of how working together can benefit the community. The containers were a nice touch which means they did not go to waste and the park is being put to good use.'
He added that the most important aspect to come out of the project is job creation. 'We are looking at about 15 to 20 jobs being created by this project. With the success of this project there is definitely more to come,' added Mngonyama.
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