VRYHEID KZN: Entrepreneurial workshop ‘disabled’ by boycott of refreshments

A workshop for entrepreneurs with disabilities was held at the King Bhekuzulu Hall in the Zululand District on April 28.

The Department of Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) has undertaken a process of developing a database and business directory of all businesses owned by disabled entrepreneurs within the province of KwaZulu-Natal. It is said that the intention of this database is to include disabled entrepreneurs in the economic transformation agenda of the province, and provide a platform for disabled entrepreneurs to access government and private sector business support.

However, the session that was held in Bhekuzulu on Wednesday last week did not go as planned. Secretary of ‘Disability Business’ in Zululand, Sbu Mbanjwa, said, “The workshop, which consisted of entrepreneurs with disabilities from all local municipalities in the Zululand District, did not end as expected, as the disability sector felt undermined once again. This is because the district and the Department of Economic Development & Tourism awarded a catering tender for this workshop to a company not owned by a disabled entrepreneur. The delegates boycotted the refreshments and they were led by me.”

Another concern pointed out by Mbanjwa was that there was no official from Abaqulusi Municipality to attend the workshop, ‘as is the case every time when there are workshops’. He asked ‘Why?’ and also mentioned that there is normally transportation for disabled people, but there was none at this workshop. According to him, ‘there was no workshop’ since everything was not in place and also because of the boycott during the session.

ALSO READ:Step into the shoes of the disabled

Make sure you follow us on our social media platforms for regular updates