The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Faculty of Management Sciences and Applied Science recently hosted a meet and greet session at the Aloe Lifestyle Hotel situated at Eshowe. The purpose of this event was to present the importance of advanced entrepreneurship, accelerate capacity building in communities, facilitate active project-based learning through onsite assessment at Ngodini Bunduz and expose students to entrepreneurship.
This project is a collaboration between The Department of Applied Management, Eco-Tourism, Horticulture, Entrepreneurial Studies and Management and the Ngodini Bunduz.
The esteemed guests for the event were Aloe Lifestyle Hotel Marketing and Tourism Officer Mr Sifiso Ngubane, Ngodini Bunduz Founder Mr Thokozani Mabaso and his team, Eshowe Fort Nonqayi Village Museum representative Mr Thabani Ntuli, Eshowe Deputy Mayor Mr M Ngema, Eshowe-Ngodini local entrepreneurs, business owners, local leaderships, delegation from Induna yenkosi (Tribal Authority), Aloe Lifestyle Hotel staff, DUT post graduate students and lecturers from the collaborating departments.
The programme for the event was facilitated by the Public Relations Lecturer, Mr Nyane Mofokeng who expressed that he believes the meet and greet session for the project is the beginning of greater things that will bring change in the lives of Eshowe people.
The DUT Department of Eco-Tourism lecturer, Ms Zikho Qwatekana presented the different execution plan phases (community involvement at Ngodini market), educational program for local schools linked with school curriculum and more information that will ensure that the project becomes a success.
DUT Entrepreneurial and Management lecturer, Ms Thuli Ndlovu emphasised the importance to formalise, registering the project and creating a sustainable relationship with the community as a whole.
“The aim is to have a forum that will be representing the different businesses that already exist. The relationship will be an exchange of knowledge between the two partners. We want to encourage students to work with entrepreneurs to learn and be able to create job opportunities instead of gaining knowledge to be employees, ”said Ms Ndlovu.
Mr Ngubane stated that Aloe Lifestyle is not just a hotel but an experience, one of the important services is providing people with the Zululand experience which may include adventure parks, boat cruises, cultural experiences and many more activities.
“The existence of the hotel is based on a partnership which means the involvement of the community as a whole. The project will add a lot of value and benefits the community. I am really excited because the partnership will reduce unemployment and boost our economy, ” he said.
Mr Ntuli expressed his gratitude for the project and explained that it will indeed bring a lot of change and exchange of information since Eshowe has a lot of attractions that have a different history where tourists may gain knowledge.
After the presentations, there was a discussion session and all the attendees proceeded to a site visit at the Ngodini Bunduz where Mr Mabaso expressed his excitement about the project.
“This is a very exciting day for me as the founder of Ngodini Bunduz. I hope this project will open the eyes of the community members to learn to use the available resources to make a living, start and improve on their existing businesses. The project will also assist the community members to understand the marketing strategies, how to manage their finances, and many more with that assistance and knowledge they can better their lives, ” stated Mr Mabaso.
Pictured: DUT Department of Eco-Tourism lecturer, Ms Zikho Qwatekana presenting.
Photographer: Vusi Dlamini.
Zanele Mashaba
