Go 20 October 2022

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Beachfront projects to be
ready by end November
TAMMY FRAY
The Buffalo City
Metropolitan
Development Agency
(BCMDA) hosted a
stakeholder’s meeting on
October 13 to provide
feedback on progress made in
the Court Crescent project at
the Esplanade, as well as the
revamp of Waterworld.
BCMDA executive
property development officer,
Thuli Hlangana, said both
projects would be complete by
November 30 to avoid d e l ay s
presented by the festive
season.
Further delays could see
the projects launch only in
February next year.
The two projects are part of
the integrated beachfront
programme aimed at
developing the coastline,
upgrading infrastructure and
securing blue flag status for
local beaches.
The projects are 90%
complete, despite work having
started in 2019.
Hlangana said ch a l l e n g e s
such as “inclement weather”
had held up work.
Court Crescent will be
paved, with features such as
an amphitheatre, hawker
stalls, and an electrical
UPGRADE EFFORTS: Striking sculptures at Court Crescent on the Esplanade in Quigney.
The work is almost complete. Picture: SUPPLIED
GO!METRO
substation for the stalls, an
information centre, ablution
facilities, outdoor gym
equipment and art displays.
Upon completion, BCMDA
will issue a tender for a service
provider to maintain and run
the facilities at both Court
Crescent and Waterworld.
Local market organisers,
Kelvin Buss and Wendy
Zuidema said earlier the city
was in need of a centralised
venue for market traders.
Stakeholders at the meeting
raised concerns about
maintenance of the new
infrastructure, security, waste
management and noise.
Hotel representatives and
landlords in the Quigney area
expressed concern regarding
loud music and litter when
events would be held at Court
Crescent.
BCMDA spokesperson
Oyama Makalima said 20
additional waste management
personnel had been hired,
however, solutions regarding
noise during events would be
considered in time.
The upgrades at the
Waterworld theme park will
include a tidal pool,
swimming pools, a sand pit,
bike track, an outdoor gym,
artwork and sculptures.
Border Kei Chamber of
Business executive director
Lizelle Maurice said: “Th e
progress made so far is way
overdue as timelines were
constantly moved, but we are
hoping that by the end of
November as promised,
everything will be completed.”
STRENGTHENING SKILLS: Graduates of the Kistefos Opportunity
Fund and Small Business Support Programme with their certificates
after completing their skills training. Picture: SUPPLIED
Local traders receive support
TAMMY FRAY
The Kistefos Opportunity Fund and
Small Business support programme
has provided 45 small businesses
with loans and 55 business owners
have been empowered with
entrepreneurial skills this year.
Small businesses cannot afford
steep interest rates on bank loans,
and as such the fund provides loans
of R1,500 and less over four months
to small business owners.
The fund also provides businesses
with training in marketing, buying
stock, stock control, money
management, costing, pricing and
selling, and business planning.
The free training is administered
by NGO, Small Project Fund (SPF).
Programme leader, Carl Sategke
said: “Our mission is to build
sustainable communities with
improved livelihoods in Buffalo City.
“We understand that one business
may easily give birth to more jobs.
“We also understand that without
skills and access to funding, a dream
of owning a business may easily fade.
“Skills development and access
to funding can assist to eradicate
poverty, solve unemployment issues
and create sustainable communities.
“The idea of studying with the aim
of being employed by someone is
outdated.
“It is time that South Africans must
think of employing themselves and
entrepreneurial skills should be a
way to go.
“Our programme has assisted
traders, manufacturers, and a small
part of service providers.
“I believe there is a huge gap in
manufacturing.
“The biggest percentage of our
beneficiaries are traders. Some buy
their stock far from East London.
“If we can have manufacturers of
those products based here in East
London, it will be very convenient for
them and at the same time it will
mean a lot to those manufacturers.”
Kulozeze Hair Salon owner
Nomsindiso Taleni, who received
funding and training, said she was
able to buy much-needed equipment
and fix up her business premises with
the loans she received.
“My business is not the same like
before, it is neat and I know how to
market to customers.”