from FUTHI MBHELE in Durban
KwaZulu Natal Bureau
DURBAN, (CAJ News) – THE uMuziwabantu local municipality in the southern KwaZulu-Natal province has committed to uplift rural business owners.
More than 20 exhibitors showcased their products and services at a just-ended business fair the municipality organised.
This followed the realization that rural areas are largely neglected and still unfamiliar with the latest developments.
The business fair was an opportunity for local businesses to showcase their products and services to potential customers, partners and investors.
“Informal businesses have been offered an excellent platform to promote their brands, network with other industry players and explore potential business opportunities with uMuziwabantu,” the municipality stated.
Mayor Siboniso Zungu officially opened the event.
“There was a concern that there are many entrepreneurs in the rural areas but they don’t get the platform where to showcase their work,” Zungu said.
The mayor described the fair as a success as people from other areas adjacent to uMuziwabantu came to the exhibit.
“Our wish is to have the same exhibition next year and we wish it to grow,” Zungu said.
uMuziwabantu, translating to “the people’s home” in the local Zulu, is within the Ugu district municipality.
The main source of income for the area is wattle, gum, pine and poplar plantations, and associated industries, including saw mills and furniture-making factories.
To highlight the diversity of the economy, exhibitors also showcased clothes, perfumes, vegetables, cakes and chickens among others.
– CAJ News