Municipality Introduces Township Flea Markets
In view of a growing demand for small-scale trade opportunities in the city centre, the Municipality has taken a decision to introduce township flea markets in the neighbourhoods. The opportunity to sell will, however, be availed only to residents of the particular township as the flea markets are meant to economically empower local residents. The Municipality has noted that, lately, a large number of applications for street vending come from city residents, particularly Fairview and Ngwane Park, hence the decision to open up the flea market opportunity in the townships. The first township flea market will be held this coming Saturday at Fairview North, near Emgcwembeni establishment. Residents of Ward 3 (Fairview North, Fairview South and Helemisi) who have new or previously owned goods, collectibles, antiques, clothing (including vintage clothing), agricultural products, household items, home appliances, furniture, ceramics, electrical equipment, toys, old books, DVDs, accessories and any other item that they wish to sell are invited to register for the flea market. Registration closes Tomorrow. Registration fee is E20 and interested residents are required to bring proof of residence. Citizens of the city, including those that live outside Ward 3, are requested to visit the flea market and support the vendors. The flea market will open at 9am and close at 4pm. Parking space will be available.
…MUNICIPALITY, BUSINESS ESWATINI LAUNCH FACTORY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The Municipal Council of Manzini, in partnership with Business Eswatini, last Friday launched a small-scale textile factory at Old Zakhele Township near the Manzini Trade Hub. The Vukani BoMake Manzini Cottage Factory is being run by 40 women who have various disabilities as well as able-bodied youths from the Manzini North and Manzini South Tinkhundla. The factory, which is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), produces a variety of colourful garments using waste fabric that is sourced from the large-scale textile factories in Matsapha. Citizens of Manzini and the country at large are requested to support the factory by buying its products. The retail sector of Manzini and the country at large is also requested to support the initiative by buying in bulk for resale.
…PROMOTION OF TOWNSHIP TOURISM: MUNICIPALITY TAKES TRILAND DELEGATION TO NGWANE PARK
The Municipal Council of Manzini has identified township tourism as one of the activities with a potential to create a variety of economic opportunities for citizens at the township level. As an indication of its conviction in relation to township tourism being one of the activities that can unlock economic opportunities for residents at the local level, the Municipality last week Tuesday hosted over 70 tour operators and members of the media from South Africa, Mozambique and Eswatini; who formed part of the Triland Familiarisation Tour. Township tourism is popular in South Africa wherein it plays a vital role in highlighting tourist attractions that are available within neighbourhoods; with focus being on promotion of culture, heritage as well as creation of a unique visitor experience. In his remarks, South Africa’s MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism in the Mpumalanga province, Prince Vusumuzi Mkhatshwa emphasized the importance of township tourism, adding that it impacts local citizens directly in the form of job creation as well as entrepreneurship as local citizens end up starting tour operator businesses for their townships. Local market traders also get an opportunity to sell their wares, such as handicraft, to the visitors. The MEC added that other residents make use of their talents to entertain visiting tourists. Indeed two young Ngwane Park residents, talented Afro Soul singer Siniketiwe and Sbu the Comedian, got an opportunity to entertain the Triland delegation during its visit to Ngwane Park. One of the strategic objectives in the City of Manzini’s 5-year Integrated Development Plan is to promote local economic development. The objective focuses on creation of job opportunities for local citizens and securing livelihoods; with a strong focus on improving income generation and poverty alleviation amongst citizens.
…TOWN PLANNING SCHEME MEETING FOR ZAKHELE, TWO STICKS, TRELAWNEY PARK RESIDENTS THIS SATURDAY
Residents of Zakhele, Two Sticks and Old Zakhele (Ward 1) as well as Trelawney Park, Nazarene Mission and the area around Sobhuza Clinic (Ward 2) are invited to a Town Planning Scheme (TPS) meeting which will be held at the Old Zakhele Market near the Zakhele FEA church this Saturday. The meeting starts at 2pm and will run not longer than 2 hours. A Town Planning Scheme is a legal document that, amongst others, guides land use in a city or town. The Municipal Council of Manzini, through a professional consultant, will be presenting a draft review of the TPS and also collecting input from residents on how best to make the legal document user-friendly and relevant to their needs. Residents are encouraged to attend the important meeting so that they voice out their thoughts and influence the final document.
