3 days ago
Durban mayor Cyril Xaba launches high-tech skills hub in Nagina
eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba opened the Human Capital Centre of Excellence in Nagina, near Mariannridge on Friday.
Image: eThekwini Municipality / Facebook
eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba has launched a state-of-the-art Human Capital Centre of Excellence, designed to uplift and empower the area's youth in Nagina, near Mariannridge.
The centre, which officially opened on June 27, aims to tackle youth unemployment, bridge the digital divide, and offer a lifeline to one of the city's most socio-economically challenged communities.
'This centre will empower the youth with the skills and knowledge to shape their own destinies and contribute meaningfully to the City's growth. It is a hub of innovation and a launchpad for the leaders of tomorrow,' said Mayor Xaba.
The centre includes a computer lab.
Image: eThekwini Municipality / Facebook
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
The facility includes a fully equipped computer lab with 15 computers, free Wi-Fi, and access to the City's e-Recruitment Portal, a vital gateway to employment opportunities and career development.
Sixteen-year-old Precious Mtolo, one of the centre's first users, described the launch as a turning point for her peers and herself. 'We did not have the tools or access to computers and other youth-related services in this community. I finally feel like I have a chance to build a future right here in my own community,' she said.
Mayor Xaba stressed the symbolic weight of launching such a facility in Nagina, saying it was 'not just opening a building, but the doors to a better future.'
He added: 'This represents our unwavering commitment to inclusive growth, digital empowerment, and community transformation.'
The centre will offer training in digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness programmes tailored to the needs of the modern economy. It forms part of a broader network of 30 Centres of Excellence across eThekwini, with plans underway to expand the initiative to all Sizakala Centres.
While the focus was on hope and opportunity, the Mayor also urged community members to protect the centre. 'We must all take responsibility to safeguard the centre against vandalism and criminal activity,' he said.
