Furniture manufacturing programme facilitator, Lindani Mthethwa with eThekwini deputy mayor, Zandile Myeni and Human Settlements and Public Works MEC Sipho Nkosi. They were shown how students are taught to make furniture.
A furniture manufacturing programme launched in Durban this week by the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) was initiated with the aim of creating employment for young people and empowering disadvantaged individuals.
The focus is for participants to use their newly acquired skills to enter the furniture manufacturing industry or start up their own businesses.
Twenty trainees, who have already started their course, are being taught to make tables, chairs and benches. More than 100 students are expected to be introduced to the programme in the coming months.
Zandile Myeni, eThekwini deputy mayor, said the programme aims to empower young people to be economic drivers, who will provide job opportunities for others in the future.
“This initiative is part of the government’s poverty fighting tool. Government aims to use this skilled labour to manufacture furniture for different governmental departments. This is also an opportunity for young people to enter the space that was reserved for a particular group,” said Ms Myeni.
EPWP chief director Bongani Dlamini said the programme was a pilot project, launched first in Durban and is expected to spread to other parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
Mr Dlamini said people from rural areas in particular could benefit from a programme like this. It could uplift and develop those who have had little opportunities, said Mr Dlamini.
KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements and Public Works MEC, Sipho Nkosi said: “My department will partner with other government departments so we can source our office furniture from these skilled new furniture manufacturers. Learners would be taught to work together to form support structures for the government in terms of its furniture needs,” said MEC Nkosi.
Students were positive about this programme. They appreciated the opportunity to learn something new. The prospect of starting their own businesses and creating employment have fuelled their desire to make their goals a reality, they said.