CREATE Living Lab Initiative Empowers Community

CREATE Living Lab Initiative Empowers Community

The Regional and Local Economic Development Initiative (RLEDI) Unit at UKZN in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), University of Zululand (UNIZULU) and Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) hosted the 2024 Culture, Research, Entrepreneurship, and Technology Exchange (CREATE) Living Lab at Dalton Bridge in Estcourt, uThukela District.

This initiative aimed to foster community development at Dalton Bridge. Led by Dr Mondli Vilakazi, lecturer at UKZN and Dr Simon Taylor, RLEDI Project Manager, it brought together academics from MUT and UNIZULU as well as a number of social entrepreneur’s “champions”, including agricultural experts and crop and animal farmers to collaborate and find sustainable solutions to the challenges confronting the community.

The project began with site visits, including the mealie production site, Dalton Bridge crop farm, Dalton Bridge animal farm, chicken and egg production site and crafts and blanket production.

The entrepreneurs addressed the challenges outlined by community workers and identified solutions that will open avenues for growth and development which contribute to food security and economic stability within the community.

Champion Ms Sigcinile Ntuli, founder of Izekhethelo Organics, worked with the team to provide practical organic solutions and sustainable farming practices, improving fertilisation techniques to enhance productivity at these sites. The project not only serves as a food source, but as an educational hub where community members learn modern farming techniques.

The crafts and blanket production segment has its roots in the local talent pool. This initiative started with the love of beading which now has expanded to an after-school programme to teach children beading, keeping them engaged and fostering their creative skills. However, local beaders confront challenges such as traveling long distances to procure materials and a lack of technology to connect with consumers.

Champions such as Ms Zinhle Madela, founder of Heart Prints, and Ms Lethiwe Shabalala, founding director of Makoti Lifestyle, which focuses on beading and traditional attire, offered to assist local beaders by providing exposure to different markets and developing their skills. Champions with expertise in finance imparted financial literacy knowledge, including bookkeeping and financial management to streamline operations and boost productivity.

The obstacles facing animal farmers include biosecurity issues and inadequate breeding systems. The champions offered practical breeding systems solutions to local farmers to monitor animal productivity. It was also suggested that farmers use disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) to improve sanitary procedures.

‘The create living lab which is a direct response to a national government policy mandate for job creation project was a success with the alumni champions learning and sharing business experiences,’ said Taylor.

The success of the 2024 CREATE Living Lab highlights the transformative power of community-driven initiatives and the importance of continued support and collaboration.

Words and photograph: Ayanda Radebe