Business is blooming for Zodwa Nxumalo’s florist business which is based at the KwaMnyandu Light Industrial Hub in uMlazi.

THE City’s KwaMnyandu Light Industrial Hub located in uMlazi has been lauded for the significant impact it is having on the local business community. The Hub was officially opened in September last year to offer dignified trading spaces to informal township businesses in the south.

The state-of-the-art KwaMnyandu Light Industrial Hub features 27 quality products of small, medium, and micro 
enterprise (SMMEs) that range from architectural services, salons, restaurants, cafés, clothing, mini shisanyamas, a florist, 
upholsterers and many more. The Hub is spearheaded by the Municipality’s Business Support, Tourism, Markets and Agri-Business Unit who are the custodians of SMME development.

A florist family business, Amazwide Floral Art is run by Zodwa Nxumalo. She said establishing the Hub was one of the “best things the Municipality has done to develop SMMEs”. “We have received multiple orders and supply major stores in Pinetown and other places. We previously operated from our small kitchen in uMlazi. It was too expensive to rent trading space at malls,” she said. Lee-anne Peter of Lily Beauty Studio, who lives in uMlazi’s R section, said the Hub has been a blessing to her. She opted to run her business closer to home. “It is more convenient, and I have created job opportunities and transferred beauty and make-up skills to locals. 

It feels good to empower people.” Nkokhelo Mkhize who provides architectural services said getting a trading space at the Hub has been beneficial. “I now employ three staff.” Sbu Masuku, eThekwini Municipality’s South Region Informal Economy Manager said the Hub aims to provide a subsidised facility for local SMMEs. This would allow them to trade in a conducive environment to boost the township economy.