Zikalala urges unrest-hit businesses to take up govt's help
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala says the economies of small towns also need to be re-ignited following the civil unrest.
He's visited businesses in Mtubatuba, St Lucia and the Mbazwana Market Stalls, which were vandalised earlier this month.
Speaking to traders in the Umkhanyakude District on Tuesday, the premier urged them to take advantage of the assistance being offered by the government and local municipalities.
"The first is to ensure that those who are operating within government precut whether they are in our industrial parks buildings that are around owned by government are given some incentive.
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"That will include rental deferral, which we call tax holiday. It will also include ensuring that those who are starting afresh are given loans because they would need capital."
Rudi Redinger, who's with the St Lucia Rate Payers' Association, says businesses have been through a lot over the past year.
"As you know St Lucia is a pure tourism town and this last 18 months period has absolutely been devastating for our community especially for the employment for our people. We are very grateful to government for the help that they do give."
