Pretoria – KwaZulu-Natal’s Zimele Developing Community Self-Reliance has received R7.5 million from the provincial budget.
Delivering the KwaZulu-Natal Budget Speech in the Legislature in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, MEC for Finance Ina Cronje, said Zimele has led social development and women’s empowerment projects in the province since 2007.
“Approximately 1 200 women are now involved in the self-sufficiency projects and have collectively accumulated savings of more than R350 000.
“These new business owners invest their funds back into their businesses and communities while also supporting new business and local social development programmes,” she said.
Cronje explained that the aim of these funds is to empower women in rural areas to develop their communities and achieve self-sufficiency by owning and operating small businesses.
An additional R34.855 million was allocated to the provincial Legislature for the period 2014/15.
According to Cronje R7 million has been allocated for observing and monitoring the 2014 general elections and R27.8 million for special allowance to those members whose tenure of office may be affected by the elections. – SAnews.gov.za
