MEC Zondi applauds Msunduzi Municipality's impactful Municipal Employment Initiative

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Musa Zondi applauded the continued effort of the Msunduzi Municipality for its initiative in local economic growth through the Municipal Employment Initiative (MEI).

The MEC said in his keynote speech that the Msunduzi Municipality is a great example of what can be done if there is a collaboration that shares ideas on how to improve the local economy through empowering people and giving them opportunities, particularly focusing on youth and women entrepreneurship.

“Today’s equipment handover marks another milestone in our collective effort to support local enterprises and stimulate job creation through the MEI. It shows that when local municipalities take ownership of development, they can become active drivers of economic transformation,” said MEC Zondi.

MEI is a programme under the department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environment and it aligns with its goals through creating job opportunities, supporting small businesses and growing local economic activity.

Msunduzi Municipality partnership with MEI, jointly funded by the EDTEA with an amount of R3 million and the municipality with R1.5 million has plans that are divided into two phases, which are as follows:

• Phase one supported 43 enterprises and created 137 jobs
• Phase two, is being concluded, and has supported 27 additional enterprises, creating 60 jobs to date

In total, this initiative by the Msunduzi Municipality has created nearly 200 sustainable jobs for the local people.

Mayor of the Msunduzi Municipality, Mzimkhulu Thebolla has commended this initiative highlighting the positive impact phase one has done for community upliftment, while also welcoming the new plans of phase two of the initiative.

“We witnessed participants who used their earnings to start small businesses, invest in education, and support their families. The money circulating through our communities also generated positive local economic spin offs benefiting spaza shops, transport operators, and informal traders within the CBD and surrounding townships.

Through collaboration with EDTEA and other partners, we aim to expand these benefits even further, empowering our community, restoring dignity, and ensuring that every participant gains both income and valuable experience,” said Thebolla.

IOL