Final Adopted IDP - KZN Development Planning

• Local Community Tourism Organisation
• Tourism Forum for the Municipality
Accommodation for tourists is provided by the Ulundi Holiday Inn (three star hotel),
bed and breakfast operations, guest houses, lodges and camping sites.
Promotion of SMMEs and Cooperatives
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism has embarked on
a number of initiatives to assist the development of emerging entrepreneurs:
• Access to Finance – The Department has entered into an agreement with three
banking institutions (Standard Bank, ABSA and Ithala Bank) to establish a joint
SMME fund to assist with finance for small businesses. Contribution to this fund
is on a 50 / 50 basis – the Department contributes 50% and the banking
institution the remaining 50% - and it is left to the banking institution to handle
all finance arrangements with the beneficiaries of this programme.
• Access to Markets – By being visible through the attendance of the Department
at SMME fairs and Business fairs, the opportunity is created for small enterprises
to have their products marketed to a large potential customer base.
Municipalities are invited to partner with the Department in the establishment of
a presence at these fairs and, while promoting the SMME sector also have the
opportunity of promoting the unique features of its municipal area
• Training and Capacity Building – The Department provides opportunity to
members of the SMME sector to attend training courses offered by FET Colleges
at no cost. Courses offered include financial management, business management
and courses relating to specific technical disciplines.
The needs of agricultural cooperatives within the Ulundi municipal area are provided for
by the KZN Department of Agriculture while, in general, any non-agricultural
cooperatives will make their approach for funding to Ithala Bank. As regards funding
for SMMEs and cooperatives the primary challenge is to comply with the requirements
of the bank before funding can be made available. Generally the applicant is requested
to prepare and present a business plan as support to the funding request which is beyond
the capacity of the majority of individuals and cooperatives that comprise this
particular sector.
The national Department of Energy has embarked on an initiative known as the
Integrated Energy Programme. An Integrated Energy Centre (IeC) is a one-stop energy
shop owned and operated by a community cooperative and organised as a community
project. It provides energy solutions to communities and access to affordable, safe and
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