Mobile phones are connecting people around the globe like never before, but the simple fact remains that they don’t work without electricity. In Uganda, which has one of the lowest levels of electricity in Africa, Motorola has launched an initiative to provide solar recharging stations that can be run by local, entrepreneurial women.

Launched last year, Motorola’s Motopower project has brought 55 solar-powered kiosks to Uganda that offer free mobile phone charging to local consumers. Each kiosk is charged by a 55-watt inverted solar panel and can charge up to 20 phones at a time. The women who run the kiosks, meanwhile, are also equipped to sell handsets and operator SIM cards and to provide repair services. For local people without their own phones, the kiosks effectively function as a local “phone booth” for making occasional calls as well.

The initiative was designed to empower entrepreneurial women by providing them with the foundations to manage their own sustainable businesses. As part of a start-up package, each entrepreneur is given four Motorola handsets and a business skills training course. Nikesh Patel, senior sales director for Motorola Africa’s mobile devices business, explains: “The Motopower initiative is the first of its kind to exist for women in Africa. Through this program, we are giving women the opportunity to run their own business, learn valuable entrepreneurial skills and generate a positive income.”

Of course, besides empowering women and helping Ugandans stay connected, the project will likely increase Motorola’s share of the local market as well. It’s a win-win-win, and one for other global corporate citizens to emulate as often as they can!

Website: www.motorola.com/responsibility

(Source: Springwise)

Lack of income enhancement is among leading challenges facing the communities of Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (INK), a challenge the INK Area-based Management is putting plans to address, Musa Mahlambi, the area’s Economic Development Manager said.

He was addressing hundreds of community members, business leaders and co-operatives, at a recent INK Stakeholder Forum at Bester Hall. Described as a community renaissance initiative, the event provided a platform to discuss strategies of pursuing economic development initiatives, and to inform public of developmental projects.

Among those in attendance included Gugu Dlamini, a Board member of Sizovuna Investments, a Broad-based BEE Co that recently won an empowerment deal worth R50 million stake in the UMlazi Mega City shopping complex. Officials from the KZN Dept of Economic Development and Imagine Durban also attended.

Mahlambi said the forum was “crucial for promoting co-operation and support among stakeholders.” In his address, business and economic sector development were among the leading issues he highlighted, with specific reference to local emerging businesses and co-operates. “Our strategy includes providing training and support to active job-seekers in order to improve employability of our citizens,” he said.

Officials from city’s Imagine Durban campaign also shared their concepts with the house. President of INK Chamber of Businesses (INKCOB), Maphoyisa Magwaza, hailed the forum, saying it was an extension of democratic processes. He said INKCOB, as a local business wing, would soon host its own monthly stakeholder forums, with the main focus on emerging companies. “We want to maintain an ongoing rapport with locally-based enterprises to be a step ahead on development ventures taking place within INK.” Magwaza confirmed they were hoping to include the local taxi industry. “Through this, we’d be able to determine what specific interventions are needed and to shed light on pertinent business-related matters such as pricing, effective management and planning.” He further urged locals to work in a collective.

Echoing this was Palesa Ndzimbomvu, of IBhubesi Protection Services, who cited that people are “afraid to take risks”. However, she cautioned against lack of youth participation in what she termed “brainstorming sessions”. “Women, in particular, need to be alert of business opportunities and should strive to upgrade themselves. Our youths have creative ideas in abundance but are sitting with them in their backyards,” she asserted.

Locals were also updated on the latest developments on the KwaMashu Town Centre project. “We just want to transform this historical township into a thriving urban centre with its own economic drive and social vitality,” Senior Project Manager with city’s Economic Development Unit, Len Baars said.
With the multi-billion rand Bridge City mixed-use property development fast taking shape, small businesses in the area are hoping to get a slice of what has been described as an “economic hub and catalyst in the community”.

Bridge City will boast 275 000 square meters of retail space, including a 40 000m2 shopping centre costing more than R700 million, R480 million underground train station, R400 million 450-bed public hospital, a regional magistrate’s court, light industry, and some 4 500 residential apartments.

An exhibition currently underway pays tribute to the marvelous Art Deco era, its influence on the built environment in Durban and and the 100+ art deco buildings our city boasts - more than anywhere else in the world.

Anyone interested in joining the Art Deco Society may contact the secretary, Helen Labuschagne 031 301 1951.

Venue: Old Court House Museum, 77 Aliwal Str, Durban.
Website: www.durbandeco.org.za

The Bovine Head Restaurant, Warwick Triangle

Ntombenhle has the face and hands of a woman who is not afraid of hard work. As we talk to her she skillfully removes the skin from a cow’s head. Nearby, another cook uses an axe to hack a skull into pieces. Around us, is a steady flow of work occurring simultaneously - preparation, cooking, serving. Ntombenhle is annoyed when we ask her to stop work so we can take her photograph. Time is money down here, and if you’re not ready to serve a meal to a hungry passerby, they’ll move on to the next table.

“There is much you must do to make the heads ready,” explains Ntombenhle. “You must skin it and break the bone before you can cook it. The heads we boil, two of them in a pot, with salt and water.

I buy these ones from Cambridge or Jwayelani butchery. The heads are sometimes R70, sometimes R80. I sell all pieces for R12 – the tongue, the cheek, the eyeball. There are eight pieces in one head. The only thing we don’t use are the teeth and the skin. The neck and the ear, they are the best to eat. I do four heads per day.”

The restaurant has a roof overhead but no walls. Against both sides are large cement blocks with stainless steel tops – preparation and serving table in one. We’re cautioned to watch where we step. The drains have been blocked for weeks while the cooks wait for the city to send someone to clean out their septic tank. A steady stream of people wind their way through the restaurant, which also serves as thoroughfare to the vegetable market. Occasionally someone stops for a quick meal or a chat.

“My customers are people who work in the city, most of the traders around here, and also people who are just passing through to the taxi rank and trains,” says Ntombenhle. “We have people coming all day, starting from early in the morning. They come and sit here for a while and eat or else we give them takeaways. Most people like the heads very much as it is a traditional meal for us. ”

Taken from Along the Way (www.alongtheway.co.za).