Women’s gabion business creates employment
The 44-year-old said when she started the training programme, she was taught how to make gabions, road caps, and v-drains, saying that she received certificates to confirm she acquired the skills.
Maureen Mkhize has employed a total of 27 people under Umdoni Municipality through her company Venka Trading after completing a skills and training programme run by Renishaw Hills in Scottburgh.
Mkhize said Venka Trading supplies gabion baskets for the construction of retaining walls, erosion control, and landscaping.
She explained that after passing Grade 11 at Sithuthukile High School, she was unable to further her studies because of financial difficulties, saying that in 2017, she joined the skills programme conducted by Renishaw Hills.
The 44-year-old said when she started the training programme, she was taught how to make gabions, road caps, and v-drains, saying that she received certificates to confirm she acquired the skills.
She added that apart from the skills, she was taught how to register a company so that she could stand on her own.
Originally from Mandawe, Mkhize said for the past two years, she has expanded her business by supplying gabion baskets around the South Coast.
“The gabion baskets, which are made using wire mesh gabions with stone infill, have been used in the construction of the 25-ha Renishaw Hills mature lifestyle estate – the inaugural development in what is one of the country’s largest developments of its kind, Renishaw Coastal Precinct. My company has employed 27 people from my area, which is making a huge difference in these hard economic times. Through the programme, I was able to take my child through school and today he is a teacher because of the opportunity I got from Renishaw. My sister’s child is also working at Suncoast Casino because I was able to fund her studies using the stipend that I received while I was part of the programme,” said Mkhize.
She added that young people want to learn these type of skills but the problem is that nobody is really willing to help.
Mkhize said Renishaw is giving community members an opportunity to have their own businesses and be employers, saying she is proof of that.
Meanwhile, the managing director of Renishaw Property Developments, Barto van der Merwe, said the recognition of Renishaw Coastal Precinct’s investment potential is evidenced by the President’s recognition and the escalation of home value by 50% in five years.
“It’s the knock-on effect for community growth, and examples like Maureen Mkhize, that made the development so impactful. We will continue to provide skills training, community upliftment, and job opportunities through Renishaw Coastal Precinct which is hinged on inclusivity and sustainability. We are anticipating even more economic stimulus for surrounding communities as the development unfolds, with projects and collaborations in place to stimulate this growth,” said van der Merwe.
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