Networking
and growing
Ntonto Ngcobo is one of many local entrepreneurs who participated
in the first Cato Manor Small Business Fair. Ntonto is glad
she took part because the fair opened many business opportunities
which she would not have been exposed to had she not participated.
Her business is called Ntonto Curtain Design. “Participating
in the Fair helped my business to grow,” she said. “I was
able to meet more clients and make new friends. I was able
to market and advertise myself. The workshops were an eye
opener. I was empowered. Today I am able to apply for tenders
on my own. However the financial institutions that participated
in the workshops are still unwilling to give us loans. “Our
businesses can not grow without financial support. If we
are to buy machinery and produce quality goods we must be
able to secure micro loans without using our homes as security
and insurance.”
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Photo
studio at your service
 Smart
Hlongwane has a passion for taking photographs. Although
it started as something to while away time with his friends
and family, his skills were soon recognised and people started
inviting him when they had birthdays and parties.
Today
Smart has a photographic studio opposite the Wiggins Multi-Purpose
Centre in Old Dunbar Road, which is known as Manhattan Studio.
It is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Manhattan Studio specialises
in weddings, graduations, umemulo, ID photos, passports
and student cards.
And
if you are one of those people who want their picture on
calendars, T-shirts, cups or caps, then Manhattan Studios
is where you should go. They also do enlargements and framing.
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Always
selling something
 Cabangani
Khomo, who lives in the Fast Track East, has a very encouraging
tale to tell. In 1987 she used to sell fresh meat door-to-door
in all the townships of Durban. Today she is the proud operator
of the tuck shop at Umkhumbane secondary school.
“My life
has been full of selling and buying – if I am not selling
meat today, then surely tomorrow I will be selling fruit.
I don’t like being idle,” said Cabangani.
Although Cabangani did not participate in last year’s Cato
Manor Small Business Fair because she was unprepared, there
is no way she is going to let the second opportunity pass
her by.
“It killed me to see other people engaging in something I
have a passion for. At the time I did not have the necessary
equipment to keep my products warm. I did not want to give
people sub-standard food. It’s not worth it. I will also be
selling beads. The demand for them is unbelievable,” she said.
Meet
Vitus, the Juice King
 Owning
a successful business has always been Vitus Dlamini’s lifelong
dream. Vitus, a resident of Old Dunbar, can be called a jack
of all trades.
He is currently a bus driver and has tried many kinds of businesses.
He used to own a musical band which did maskanda numbers.
But the market was flooded and he quit. Once he operated a
‘Mr Phone’ but it did not work out for him.
“The profit margin is too little. People in my area don’t
use the phone that much. Cellphones are the in thing,” he
said.
Then he read a newspaper ad inviting people to enlist for
a skills training programme.
“There were a few options available but I chose to make juices.
It’s cheaper to produce and Durban is always hot. People are
always thirsty,” says Vitus.
The opening of the Bellair Road market came as a blessing
because it meant he could produce the juices locally and sell
them locally.
‘At last I seem to be doing something right. I supply schools
with my juices. I am at all the main taxi ranks and bus stops
selling juices. The future looks bright,” said Vitus.
His brand is called Bica Juice and it comes in five flavours:-
Orange, Guava, Fruit Punch, Peach and Apricot. It comes in
three sizes 250m at R1.20c, 500ml at R2.40c and 1 litre at
R4.80. He can be contacted on 083 716 6625.
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Vincent
Thabede's success story
 There
was an advert in the March edition of Izwi inviting Cato
Manor residents to apply for an opportunity to be trained
as tour guides. The response was not what one would expect
from a community with a high unemployment rate. Perhaps
people just don’t see tourism as a business opportunity
with growth potential?
IZWI tracked down Vincent Thabede, a resident of Cato Manor,
who started as a tour guide and is now a very successful
tour operator, just to see how others have progressed in
the tourism industry.
Today Vincent owns two brand new combis, has an office at
the Thekwini Business Development Centre and has two full-time
employees. Vincent grew up at KwaNgcolosi in the Inanda
Dam district where he was always involved with helping lost
tourists find their way. At that time he did not see himself
as a tour guide. Sometimes he would get a few bob or a sandwich
for his troubles.
It was when he moved to Cato Manor in the early 90s that
it all began to happen for him.
“A white friend of mine asked me to help him take students
from the UK on a township tour. He also told me that I could
charge each one of them for this service and that they were
prepared to pay.
“The tours then became regular because many people from
abroad wanted to get a taste of the new South Africa while
it was still fresh. The money was flowing in and my confidence
was growing. But I then realised that I could make more
by enrolling for a course.
“In 1997 I enrolled with the Natal Tour Guide Training Centre
in Morningside. I received my badge and registered with
the Tourism Authority. Getting a badge is very important
because it opens many opportunities and you participate
in workshops where you learn all the tricks of the trade,”
said Vincent.
Vincent was not content with being a tour guide only – he
wanted to become a tour operator. Last year he opened his
own office as a tour operator and registered with the SA
tourism authority (SATOUR).
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A speciality
guiding service to the world within a world that lies hidden
in Durban. Vincent Thabede, registered and accredited SATOUR
guide, personally conducts each tour of the area.
Visit
KwaMuhle Museum, the old administrative building where the
influx control was implemented during the apartheid era. Visit
the old mosque and temples that survived the bulldozers during
the apartheid era.
A fascinating look at the history and legacy of apartheid.
A tour to the sprawling informal settlements such as Cato
Crest and the new housing developments under the Special Presidential
Project. The tour includes a visit to a ‘Sangoma’ to divine
the future, learn about Umuthi (traditional medicine), experience
a traditional Zulu dance held in honour of a marriage proposal.
You can even enjoy a traditional meal, washed down with Umqombothi
– Zulu Beer. Tourists have an opportunity to purchase beadwork
and other handcrafts.
A visit to the Zion Church will help you feel the majestic
spirit of Africa while the practitioners communicate with
their ancestors through the burning of ‘imphepho’ the ancestor
evoking flower.
All this and more are available from Umkhumbane Tours. Come
and share in the majestic and rich traditions of the African
people.
TOURS
ARE CONDUCTED REGULARLY AND LAST ± 4 HOURS. PRICES ARE FROM
R195 PER PERSON PER TOUR, WITH A MINIMUM OF 4 PEOPLE PER TOUR.
BOOKING
IN ADVANCE IS ESSENTIAL. CONTACT VINCENT ON: 082 672 1191.
OR WRITE TO US AT: P.O. BOX 30451, MAYVILLE 4058.
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