Street traders and small entrepreneurs constitute a significant segment of the local economy – but, they were hit hard by the Covid-19 lockdowns. MAKWENA MANAKA interviewed local vendors, store owners and entrepreneurs to find out how their businesses are faring in a still-bleak economic climate. Fresh fruit and veg are always in demand Weston Geza poses next to his fruits and vegetable business. Photo: Makwena Manaka Weston Geza, 45, sells fruits and vegetables on Beaufort Street beside the SAPS station. He started his business six years ago and currently employs four workers. Starting a business was not in Geza’s initial…
Author: Makwena Manaka
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By MAKWENA MANAKA Sibanye Special Day Care Centre, a Joza NPO, was opened in 2014 by early childhood development teachers Malungisa Malonie, 34, and Veliswa Mdaka, 38, to cater for children with special needs. Malungisa Malonie studied preschool courses at Rhodes University’s Center for Social Development. She continues to hone her skills as an Early Childhood Development student at Oxbridge Academy and through Department of Basic Education training. “I joined the Kha Ri Gude Literacy Campaign carried out by the Department of Education in 2008 and 2009, where we taught elderly people. When you’re teaching older people, they say that as they…
By MAKWENA MANAKA On Thursday morning, 28 October, Makana Citizens Front (MCF) PR councillor candidate Jane Bradshaw spoke to at least 30 local citizens at a University of the Third Age (U3A) lecture about the MCF’s election campaign. The discussion entitled “What do we think Grahamstown needs?” outlined the newly formed party’s local government elections manifesto ahead of Election Day on Monday 1 November. Bradshaw shared the MCF’s manifesto with the attendees highlighting that the party is a civic movement aiming to achieve efficient and effective local government and service delivery. The list of priorities included: improving the quality and…
The Rotary Club of Grahamstown Sunset raised over R6 000 through the GBS Mountain Drive Virtual Half Marathon last month. The raised funds will be donated to the Makhanda Circle of Unity Food Security Cluster for distribution to community kitchens in Makhanda. The GBS Mountain Drive Virtual Half Marathon participants could run, walk or cycle the distance at an entrance fee of R50 and stood a chance to win prizes through a lucky draw. Two people won the main prizes – a weekend away at Umngazi Hotel & Spa and a day trip for up to six people at Kwandwe…
By MAKWENA MANAKA Unlicensed local businesses could access government grants of up to R30 000 to sustain and propel their business if they agree to register for permits. Local businesses have until Thursday, 30 September, to apply for the current round of funding. This was revealed by the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) at an information session for informal business last month. DEDEAT’s Mlungiseleli Kosi introduced the Eastern Cape Provincial Informal Business Policy Framework to informal traders at the session. A roadshow is currently underway to educate informal traders on the minimum requirements of access to…