Chairperson of the City’s Economic Development and Planning Committee Councillor Thembo Ntuli spoke at the recent Informal Economy Summit which served as a strategic platform to discuss the future of the local informal economy.

ETHEKWINI Municipality presented its bold plans to develop the informal economy sector during the Informal Economy Development Summit held on 17 and 18 October at The Station Urban Space. During the summit, around 100 informal traders received certificates for completing a one-year New Venture Creation Course focused on business development. Councillor Thembo Ntuli, Chairperson of the City’s Economic Development and Planning Committee, highlighted several capital projects for the 2024/25 financial year, totalling approximately R35 million.

KEY PROJECTS INCLUDE: 
• Dalton Art and Craft Market (Ward 32): R10 million upgrade, including building renovations and drainage improvements, benefiting 50 traders. 
• Mansel Road Market (Ward 26): R15 million upgrade, including new ablution facilities, benefiting 180 traders.
• Tongaat Trader Market (Ward 61): R2.5 million upgrade, benefiting 35 traders. 
• KwaMaKhutha Business Hive (Ward 94): R4 million upgrade, benefiting 42 traders. 
• Klaarwater Business Hive (Ward 17): R4.3 million upgrade, accommodating 26 traders. 

Councillor Ntuli emphasised that these projects will create local employment and enhance infrastructure to improve working conditions.