11 Aug 2014

Poverty eradication projects in the North East District are said to be doing exceptionally and only three have collapsed. 


In an interview recently, North East District Council poverty eradication project officer, Ms Beverly Ngoni stated that they offered, through different departments, different packages such as tent hire, leather work, home based laundry, kiosk, food preservation, phane harvesting, fishery small stock, poultry and backyard gardening. 


She also indicated that the district had 400 projects, 200 in Tati East and 200 in Tati West, adding that among the projects offered through the council’s department of Social and Community Development (S&CD), the three failed projects included a bakery in Matopi and a catering project in Sechele. 


Ms Ngoni also stated that of the projects provided under S&CD bakery, catering and fashion design are the most successful projects.
She added however that all projects are given full support, noting that some have been awarded tenders to provide various goods and services.


Ms Ngoni also added that the beneficiaries of the hair salon projects would be sent for re-training this month to offer them an opportunity to further hone their skills to meet the demands of the industry.


For his part the North East District Poverty Eradication Project Secretary Mr Thomas Mpenya stated that one of the key challenges that they are facing is in relation to people who ask for money for projects for which they do not have passion.


He added that some beneficiaries do not put extra effort into their projects, noting that after being funded others spend money on other things and thereafter abandon their projects for Ipelegeng.


A fashion designer funded through the Programme Ms Segametsi Mojiwa encouraged all unemployed women to use their skills and ask for funds in order to earn a living.


Fifty-two year-old Ms Mojiwa of Masunga, who was funded with over P30 000 opened her business, Nzimu Mbuya Fashions in November 2013 and has not looked back since.
Ms Mojiwa attributes her success to her passion and the support she received from S&CD officers.
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