Durban - The uMngeni Municipality is giving opportunities to small time grass cutters and small enterprise owners to get work from the municipality without having to go through rigorous public tender procurement processes.
The municipality recently called for small business people who cut grass to register on its database to be considered for work when opportunities become available.
The programme came into effect more than a week ago and the first group has already been appointed.
In a statement, the municipality said the programme was aimed at empowering local grass cutters.
“The municipality had sent out an invitation for local grass cutters to submit their full details to be included in the database so as to be allocated work in various wards.
“After signing their work agreement at 9am they were on the road by 9.30am, conducting work in Merrivale. The grass cutters will be paid per square metre for a period of 3 months.
“Thereafter the municipality will rotate to give the next batch of cutters an opportunity. Altogether the programme aims to support 26 grass cutters,” it said.
Mayor Chris Pappas said: “These are individual grass cutters who usually go around and look for piece jobs by knocking on people’s gates, they have basic machines and work as individuals or pairs.”
He said the programme will also benefits SMMEs.
“These are very small start up companies. Smaller than formal garden services, they usually have a bakkie and some basic machines, and work in small groups.”