Partnering with Local Government: Umkhanyakude Municipal Roadshow

FURTHERING the endeavours to unlock local trade across the province, Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) and the Umkhanyakude District Municipality held a highly-successful municipal road show in June. Held at the Ghost Mountain Inn in Mkhuze over June 18 and 19, the event aimed to equip, energise and inspire local entrepreneurs to become innovative thinkers in the world of business. It also aimed to build and sustain relations with the local government spheres and create awareness of TIKZN's services. The closed session on the first day between TIKZN and municipal officials was a platform to engage on issues of trade, investment and projects in the district with possible linkages to substantially boost the district's economy.The following day began with a networking business breakfast where interaction between TIKZN and the Umkhanyakude District Municipality ensured government's shared goals to attract investment, develop strategic partnerships and create jobs throughout KwaZulu-Natal could be achieved.Speaking on behalf of the Umkhanyakude mayor Jeffery Vilane, municipal manager Elliott Mzimela extended his appreciation to TIKZN for establishing a partnership geared towards stabilising the economy. He alluded to the need for investors to the region and the impact it would have on the lives of communities living in the area. He said the road show was an opportunity to share key information on how entrepreneurs could unlock their business careers and build the confidence of Umkhanyakude and its five local municipalities' business innovators."Umkhanyakude is always committed to empowering the lives of its citizens who have a vision and, together with TIKZN, this road show is a step in the right direction of bringing the right tools to the people ... filling their minds with the right information and training to be used in becoming economically independent citizens," he said. Speaking on the TIKZN board's behalf, Cedric Gina highlighted the extent to which investment in KwaZulu-Natal continued emerging as a major contributor to South Africa's growing economy.
The favourable business environment had also made the province "a sound investment destination" for global investors - a platform that could efficiently market district projects on the international stage. "Based on this, it is essential to ensure municipalities are ready in terms of trade, investment and research expertise," Gina said. Jozini Business Chamber secretary Mr Chris Mafuleka commended the partnership, but indicated the challenges for local businesses mainly centred on funding. Launched in April this year, the chamber has indicated it would use the partnership between TIKZN and the district municipality to the advantage of local business as well as tap into the expertise TIZKN could offer. Delivering the keynote address, TIKZN corporate services executive manager Mxolisi Manyakanyaka said the organisation offered a host of services and the engagement had the ability to create jobs within the local community.
"TIKZN continues stamping authority in the trade and investment sector, partnering with all spheres of government to support local trade and businesses create and sustain employment in KwaZulu-Natal," he said. In the past year, TIZKN embarked on three municipal trade shows in a bid to unlock investment opportunities and create jobs across the province. The aim was to boost awareness of the organisation's services and facilitate interaction between TIKZN and the municipalities to attract investment, develop strategic partnerships and create employment.
The agency promotes KwaZulu-Natal as a premier investment destination and facilitates trade by assisting local companies access international markets. Manyakanyaka said it identified, developed and packaged KwaZulu-Natal investment opportunities; provided a professional investment promotion; branded and marketed KwaZulu-Natal as a destination; retained and expanded trade activities and linked opportunities to communities' developmental needs.