The City of Cape Town has extended its partnership with Furntech in Nyanga until 2034, securing long-term support for this important centre that equips furniture makers and small manufacturers with the tools, space, and skills to grow their businesses.
Empowering Youth Through Skills Development
Furthermore, the Furntech Centre serves as a technical skills development Centre where we are equipping and empowering unemployed youth from the surrounding areas with an employable technical skill in woodwork manufacturing to be employed by the industry or to start their own small business.
This achievement has been made possible through the dedicated work of the City’s Economic Development and Investment Department, together with our Property Transactions Department. These teams have played a key role in finalising the agreement and in using our asset base and innovative approaches to turn municipal properties into centers of excellence. Here, new small businesses are emerging, gaining greater access to markets, and creating jobs in the township economy.
Since my appointment as the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, I have visited Furntech to see firsthand how this facility is allowing entrepreneurs to thrive. I was also the guest of honor in handing out certificates and tools to a group of learners who completed a technical training programme. That’s why it is wonderful to now support the continuation of a partnership that I was there to see at the start.
A Decade of Proven Impact
From the outset, the City has backed this initiative. In 2013, we made available City-owned depot space at a nominal lease, assisted with interior fit-out, and co-contributed towards specialised equipment. We also provided a R500 000 grant to help establish Furntech as a woodworking and light manufacturing centre.
Supporting Entrepreneurs
As a Trust and NPO, Furntech has successfully operated the facility for the past 10 years, supporting the establishment of 94 small businesses, directly overseeing the creation of 158 jobs with small businesses generating a turnover in excess of R 3,2 million, and providing ongoing technical and business skills development in Nyanga. Furntech also trained 149 learners at the Nyanga centre. Because of this extensive work, Furntech has become an established and reliable site for the community for manufacturing small businesses.
This support enables Furntech to maintain its focus on developing small business owners instead of paying high rental costs. Extending this partnership gives entrepreneurs the certainty and stability they need to grow, create jobs, and contribute to inclusive economic growth in the township and metro.
