Supporting LED through skills training

An innovative skills training project in the Empangeni region has received funding to the tune of R3 384 000 from Gijima KZN towards an estimated R6-million expansion project which will accelerate its work in uplifting the local community.

The Zikulise Community Upliftment Project has been housed within the Empangeni Arts and Crafts Centre since it was awarded the contract by the City of uMhlathuze in November 2006. Plans were made to develop the project into a full-blown training centre known as the Zikulise Entrepreneurial Skills Training Centre (ZEST) but this required funding.

Today, thanks to support from Gijima KZN, the City of uMhlathuze and other donors including Exarro KZN Sands and ABSA Foundation, the centre is extending its premises and will continue to support and encourage local economic development through high quality skills training, small business support, job creation and poverty alleviation. Zikulise also plans to partner with other organisations to offer outreach skills training programmes, HIV/Aids orphan skills training, and sponsored apprenticeship opportunities at local businesses.

Zikulise CEO Julie Jonson said that the first 30% tranche of funding had been received from Gijima in February 2008 and would be used towards the purchase of equipment and furniture, a light delivery vehicle, construction costs and operational costs.

The Zikulise project includes the upgrading and extension of the Empangeni Arts and Crafts Centre, the construction of a small office block and a training pottery. Also included in the construction phase is the building of long-term incubator skills training rooms for trainees who have successfully completed the Zikulise entrepreneurial training courses.

Jonson says that it is Zikulise’s vision to uplift the local community by addressing the unemployment crisis, the failure rate of small businesses and the plight of HIV/Aids orphans.  It also aims to provide incubator and short-course skills training, support, advice and mentorship. 

'Our highest priority is the creation and sustainability of new and existing small enterprises that have a real potential to contribute to the local economy. We will have a particular emphasis on the creation of black-owned small enterprises that will grow into viable and sustainable businesses,' she said.

Zikulise currently serves a cross-section of people including local women, the youth, the physically disabled, SMMEs, co-operatives and entrepreneurs. HIV/Aids orphans and even ex-offenders and offenders from the local Qalakabusha prison will be targeted as beneficiaries in the future.

Thus far seven full time and four part time jobs have been created directly at the centre, and a total of 90 direct and 810 indirect beneficiaries have been positively affected through Zikulise’s work. The extended project will, however, offer potential for much more.

Jonson works closely with fellow board members including Chairman Rob Barbour, Abbie Mchunu, Reverend Thabo Shabalala and Willis Nxumalo.

Says Jonson, 'The word Zikulise means "to grow yourself" in isiZulu and that is really what we would like to be able to offer people in our area – the opportunity to develop themselves and their community regardless of their financial or domestic situation. Our work does require intense support from the public and private sector, and we are pleased that Gijima KZN has assisted us so generously in meeting our goals.'

To view the February 2008 Gijima KZN quarterly review, click here.

Contact the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development:
Boyce Mntambo, Manager for Information & Communication Technology

Postal address:
Private Bag X001
Bishopsgate
4008

Physical address:
270 Jabu Ndlovu Street
Pietermaritzburg
3201

Tel.: +27 33 264 2500
Fax: +27 86 679 6404
Email: mntambob@kznded.gov.za

Website: www.kznded.gov.za