The Municipality's Business Support and Markets Unit will host the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) Fair on the 3-5 September 2010 at the Durban Exhibition Centre. With the theme 'Unleashing Business Opportunities and Finance', businesses that are interested in participating should register before 30 May 2010, which is the deadline date.

The Fair is an exciting event and small businesses are requested to register for the SMME Fair which will give them the opportunity to network with over 500 exhibiting businesses as well as showcase their brands and create awareness of products and services ranging from arts and crafts, fashion, tourism, manufacturing etc.

Mikuni Construction Co. in Kitakyusyu City, southern Japan, announced in August 2009, that it would be launching a new service to rent goats for weeding grass starting in April 2010. This unique weeding method does not require any machinery, and is drawing attention as an environmentally friendly technique.

Having first heard about weeding with goats from his business associate, Katsuhiko Sera, the president of the company, has been investigating the approach for three years in an effort to devise a viable business model. He bought five goats in May 2009, and by tethering the goats with a cable, about 500 square meters of grass can be grazed over the course of a week. A trial “rent-a-goat” began in August 2009, but will be fully launched in March 2010.

Goats eat various types of weed. They eat all aboveground stems and leaves, and prefer to graze on slops, which people often find it difficult to weed. Furthermore, weeded material does not require disposal when using this method and the goat dung produced simply decomposes and is returned to the soil.

In addition to renting goats, the company plans to provide its own weeding service by increasing the number of goats, and to manufacture cheese and other products from goat milk. Mr. Sera hopes that his rental goat service will serve not only as a new tool to maintain urban green spaces, but will also assist the comfort of local residents.

From “Company to Begin ‘Rental Goat’ Weeding Service“

• This is a great idea and there are already small herds of goats farmed throughout the city, Cato Manor for example.

Umcebo Trust is appealing to members of the public to donate their used 2 litre plastic coke bottles and wine corks to the Trust which will be used in the construction of a 6 metre high Eco-tree. This will be the highest tree made from recyclable materials and the Trust hopes that the tree will make it into the Guinness Book of Records. By donating these materials to Umcebo, you will not only be helping Umcebo Trust but you will be doing your little bit for the environment as well. Umcebo Trust is a non-profit organisation that is focused on the development and training of local artists.

The Trust produces original art pieces and aims to empower individuals by enabling them to earn a living and develop self esteem in individuals with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds. It was started by Robin Oppermann, a former maths and art teacher, who worked with children with disabilities. The crafters have produced work for Oprah Winfrey and Richard Branson and two of the Trust’s beautiful beaded artworks can be found in the newly constructed Moses Mabhida Stadium.

• Richard Stretton and Angela Shaw’s beautifully minimalist range of flat-pack beech-ply Christmas trees.
• Glen Adendorff’s punk recycled rubber and vinyl jewellery.
• Andrew Verster’s hysterical pop knitted scarves.
• Outrageously original telephone wire Christmas tree ornaments.