Application form for the eThekwini COVID-19 business relief fund
NOW CLOSED
Business Support Relief Features
For specific and directed relief options
ACCESS TO EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOPS

Empowerment workshops are based on various programmes run by the City, which include Cooperatives development, Construction, Agribusiness, business compliance, youth and women business development, and many other initiatives.
CONTACT: Ms Nelisa Mshengu
Tel: +27(0)31 311 4537 / 4500
Cell: 0732201955
Email: nelisa.mshengu@durban.gov.za
ACCESS TO FINANCE

To develop and empower SMMEs financially in order to avoid such failure, and thereafter enable them to access finance from financial institutions. The programme’s secondary objective is to act as a conduit for banking institutions in South Africa to engage with the City in order to provide innovative financial and non-financial assistance to SMMEs.
CONTACT: Ms Nonhle Memela
Tel: +27(0) 31 311 4331 / 4500
Cell: 0724849918
Email: nonhle.memela@durban.gov.za
AGRI-BUSINESS

To provide Small Scale farmers and Agribusiness SMMEs with customised solutions that reduce barriers to markets through embracing science, innovation and technology. To improve the sustainability and profitability of their land and business enterprises while increasing their contribution to eThekwini GDP.
CONTACT: Mr Vuyo Jayiya Tel: +27(0) 31 3114237 / 4500 Cell: 0725194490 Email: vuyo.jayiya@durban.gov.za
CONTACT: Mr Vuyo Jayiya Tel: +27(0) 31 3114237 / 4500 Cell: 0725194490 Email: vuyo.jayiya@durban.gov.za
BUSINESS LICENSING

To provide an effective Licensing services within the Municipality for the sale and supply of meals, entertainment or health facilities and accommodation establishments, as well as monitor and enforce compliance in accordance with set regulations and bylaws.
CONTACT: Ms Qondi Liqwa Tel: +27(0) 31 3114595 / 4500 Cell: 0737024249 Email: qondi.liqwa@durban.gov.za
CONTACT: Ms Qondi Liqwa Tel: +27(0) 31 3114595 / 4500 Cell: 0737024249 Email: qondi.liqwa@durban.gov.za
INFORMAL ECONOMY

To make business development support and capacity building services available to traders in the informal economy; as well as providing conducive trading facilities.
To also identify, implement and monitor support program and opportunities.
CONTACT: Mr Michael Hlangu Tel: 031 308 9900/38 Cell: 0834496009 Email: michael.hlangu@durban.gov.za
CONTACT: Mr Michael Hlangu Tel: 031 308 9900/38 Cell: 0834496009 Email: michael.hlangu@durban.gov.za
CONTRACTOR DEVELOPMENT

To bridge the gap between emerging contractors and business opportunities through various business knowledge and skills analyses, business development, mentorship and business linkages. The aim is to also facilitates the soft and technical skills interventions, assisting with sector statutory requirements compliance and national sector regulating bodies.
CONTACT: Ms Nonku Mthembu Tel: +27(0) 31 3114575 / 3114500 Cell: 0835522644 Email: nonkululeko.mthembu@durban.gov.za
CONTACT: Ms Nonku Mthembu Tel: +27(0) 31 3114575 / 3114500 Cell: 0835522644 Email: nonkululeko.mthembu@durban.gov.za
CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT

To improve and provide capacity to the cooperatives to improve quality of services that they render, sustain income generation, job creation and competitiveness and as well as market access.
CONTACT: Ms Nonhle Memela Tel: +27(0) 31 311 4331 / 4500 Cell: 0724849918 Email: nonhle.memela@durban.gov.za
CONTACT: Ms Nonhle Memela Tel: +27(0) 31 311 4331 / 4500 Cell: 0724849918 Email: nonhle.memela@durban.gov.za
FASHION DEVELOPMENT

To enhance the skills of local fashion designers and to broaden industry related knowledge, conduct research in the sector, create opportunities for the youth to participate in the sector, enhance fashion designers’ marketing capabilities and skills, acquire more knowledge in terms of the international market needs and opportunities.
CONTACT: Ms Nonku Mthembu Tel: +27(0)31 311 4575 / 4500 Cell: 0835522644 Email: nonkululeko.mthembu@durban.gov.za
CONTACT: Ms Nonku Mthembu Tel: +27(0)31 311 4575 / 4500 Cell: 0835522644 Email: nonkululeko.mthembu@durban.gov.za
RURAL & TOWNSHIP BUSINESS & RETAIL DEVELOPMEN

To develop support initiatives for small businesses operating in rural, townships and peri-urban centres of eThekwini Municipality, to ensure their integration into the economy. Support provided include:
• Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programmes,
• Training on Product development and
• Market access support.
CONTACT: Ms Nelisa Mshengu Tel: +27(0)31 311 4537 / 4500 Cell: 0732201955 Email: nelisa.mshengu@durban.gov.za
• Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programmes,
• Training on Product development and
• Market access support.
CONTACT: Ms Nelisa Mshengu Tel: +27(0)31 311 4537 / 4500 Cell: 0732201955 Email: nelisa.mshengu@durban.gov.za
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

To improve the current business status and assist in further business growth for more tourism benefits at visited routes and destinations.
Support initiatives provided include:
• Product development
• Access to Markets and business linkages
• Skills development
CONTACT: Ms Nelisa Mshengu Tel: +27(0)31 311 4537 / 4500 Cell: 0732201955 Email: nelisa.mshengu@durban.gov.za
• Product development
• Access to Markets and business linkages
• Skills development
CONTACT: Ms Nelisa Mshengu Tel: +27(0)31 311 4537 / 4500 Cell: 0732201955 Email: nelisa.mshengu@durban.gov.za
BUSINESS LINKAGES

To advocate and secure mainstream business opportunities for SMMES in both the public and private sector. Also, to clearly understands the required standards and compliance measures, then identify and match suitable SMMEs with business opportunities and possible business deals.
CONTACT: Ms Elizabeth Nhliziyo Tel: +27(0) 31 3226201/ 4500 Cell: 0845464204 Email: elizabeth.nhliziyo@durban.gov.za
CONTACT: Ms Elizabeth Nhliziyo Tel: +27(0) 31 3226201/ 4500 Cell: 0845464204 Email: elizabeth.nhliziyo@durban.gov.za
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

To raise the profile of women in business whilst continuously striving to address their business needs through the implementation of the Productive capacity building
initiatives which includes mentorship and training.
CONTACT: Ms Nonku Mthembu Tel: +27(0)31 311 4575 / 4500 Cell: 0835522644 Email: nonkululeko.mthembu@durban.gov.za
CONTACT: Ms Nonku Mthembu Tel: +27(0)31 311 4575 / 4500 Cell: 0835522644 Email: nonkululeko.mthembu@durban.gov.za
ARTS & CRAFTS DEVELOPMENT

To provide soft and technical skills. Within the selected areas, individuals are trained and then encouraged to form business entities that will be trading for example, in telephone wire, beaded products, etc. Market access is then facilitated for these businesses through exhibitions.
CONTACT: Ms Nonhle Memela Tel: +27(0) 31 311 4331 / 4500 Cell: 0724849918 Email: nonhle.memela@durban.gov.za
CONTACT: Ms Nonhle Memela Tel: +27(0) 31 311 4331 / 4500 Cell: 0724849918 Email: nonhle.memela@durban.gov.za
SUPPORT TO ENTERPRISE

To facilitate skills development, mentorship, coaching and support to business enterprises. These range from survivalist, informal business, and formal business including women and youth.
CONTACT: Ms Nonku Mthembu Tel: +27(0)31 311 4575 / 4500 Cell: 0835522644 Email: nonkululeko.mthembu@durban.gov.za
CONTACT: Ms Nonku Mthembu Tel: +27(0)31 311 4575 / 4500 Cell: 0835522644 Email: nonkululeko.mthembu@durban.gov.za
UMKHUMBANE ENTREPRENEURIAL SUPPORT CENTRE (Manufacturing Incubator)

To provide incubation facility and support to manufacturing businesses.
CONTACT: Ms Nonku Mthembu Tel: +27(0)31 311 4575 / 4500 Cell: 0835522644 Email: nonkululeko.mthembu@durban.gov.za
CONTACT: Ms Nonku Mthembu Tel: +27(0)31 311 4575 / 4500 Cell: 0835522644 Email: nonkululeko.mthembu@durban.gov.za
LION'S DEN (A Business Plan Competition)

It is also aimed at encouraging sustainable entrepreneurship, innovation and competitiveness amongst entrepreneurs in the eThekwini region. Selected businesses are exposed to other business interventions (based on identified needs) and mentorship.
CONTACT: Ms Nonhle Memela Tel: +27(0) 31 311 4331 / 4500 Cell: 0724849918 Email: nonhle.memela@durban.gov.za
CONTACT: Ms Nonhle Memela Tel: +27(0) 31 311 4331 / 4500 Cell: 0724849918 Email: nonhle.memela@durban.gov.za
DURBAN BUSINESS FAIR

A premier business gathering aimed at facilitating access to markets. It also provide access to information, dialogues and transfer of skills through various platforms like conferences, masterclasses, networking sessions and exhibitions. The Fairs are hosted annually including in certain regions of the City.
CONTACT: Ms Nonku Mthembu Tel: +27(0)31 311 4575 / 4500 Cell: 0835522644 Email: nonkululeko.mthembu@durban.gov.za
CONTACT: Ms Nonku Mthembu Tel: +27(0)31 311 4575 / 4500 Cell: 0835522644 Email: nonkululeko.mthembu@durban.gov.za
Durban Business Fair Milestones
33500
businesses
have participated in the Durban Business Fair since 1998
22
years
developing, empowering and creating opportunities for local businesses.
R240
million
Invested by the City of Durban towards Business Fair to date.
R15.6
million
Invested by SMMEs towards the Durban Business Fair