- The eZibayeni community received grass cutters and farming tools from the local municipality on Monday to grow their new businesses.
- Villagers formed local groups to sell crops and hire out event gear because they could not find jobs in cities.
People living in the rural village of eZibayeni in kwaHlabisa have given up on finding jobs. They have started their own businesses to fight the high cost of living.
The KwaZulu-Natal community met on Monday to receive working equipment from the municipality. They were given grass cutters, mobile fridges and farming tools.
The villagers are working together in groups to make money and create jobs for others.
Sebenzile Mathabethe-Dlamini is one of the people who received equipment. She said most people in the area rely on social grants.
She said there are no jobs available, even for people who move to cities.
“Due to this stressful situation I decided to join other community members to form a cooperative in order to do a business that will help us to put food on the table,” Mathabethe-Dlamini said.
The group started a farming business. They now sell their crops to local people and stores.
She said their biggest problem was keeping animals away from their plants. They asked the municipality for fencing material and received it on Monday.
Velemseni Shongwe also received equipment. He said these community projects help people rebuild their lives.
He said the community has formed different groups to make money.
“We have those who specialise in grass cutting, there are those who deal with event hiring equipment such as marquees, sound, chairs and mobile fridges,” Shongwe said.
He said the government and city factories are no longer hiring people.
“That is why most people in big cities are involved in criminal activities that lead them to prison or to death,” he said.
He said it is better for the rural village to build businesses that benefit the whole community.
