PROVINCE PLEDGES TO STRENGTHEN ECONOMY - ETHEKWINI WEEKLY BULLETIN - eThekwini Municipality
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
ETHEKWINI www.durban.gov.za
WEEKLY BULLETIN
By 2030 eThekwini will be Africa’s most caring and liveable City 4 March 2019 [Issue 157]
PROVINCE PLEDGES TO
STRENGTHEN ECONOMY
EThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede attended the State of the Province Address where plans to boost the economy and improve the lives of the people
were outlined by Premier Willies Mchunu.
T
HE people of KwaZulu- country that has a dynamic Gumede expressed her community. There is currently a
Natal (KZN) were and responsive growth and excitement at sthe plans project underway at the greater
given renewed hope development strategy. He also outlined in the SOPA. She Amaoti area where houses will
when Premier Willies acknowledged the critical role mentioned the construction be built in six wards. We are
Mchunu delivered the 2019 played by local government in of the Cato Ridge Intermodal also working on developing the
State of the Province Address the growth and development Freight and Logistics Hub as Bridge City Mall into a multi-
(SOPA) on 27 February at the of the province. “We have one of the key projects that purpose centre,” said Mayor
Pietermaritzburg Show Grounds. established a seamless inter- will facilitate the efficient Gumede.
During the SOPA, Premier governmental framework for and effective movement of Some of the catalytic projects
Mchunu highlighted some of the alignment, co-ordination freight and promote industrial underway in Durban include
the key projects that had been and integration of national, development along the Durban- the establishment of the
implemented by government in provincial and municipal growth Free State-Gauteng corridor. Automotive Supplier Park
an effort to build an inclusive and development processes “As eThekwini Municipality, we in the south of Durban, the
economy that creates decent which have caught the eye of are at the forefront of economic Dube AgriZone which handles
jobs and accelerates service other provinces and attracted a development. I am really produce to the value of R190
delivery to local communities. number of bench-marking visits pleased with the partnership million over an annual period
Premier Mchunu noted that into our beautiful province,” we have with the provincial and the Dube Trade Port with
KZN’s economic development said Premier Mchunu. government in addressing a current investment of about
was growing rapidly, saying EThekwini Mayor Zandile issues that affect our R2.2 billion.
it is the only province in the
“KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW”
www.durban.gov.za
CITY TO SKILL 200
UNEMPLOYED YOUTH
200 unemployed
youth will undergo
an artisan
Development
Programme over
three years,
specifically in
plumbing and
electrical courses.
Additional
land for
housing
projects
AN additional R199
million will be spent this
financial year to purchase
various parcels of land
across the City as part of
eThekwini Municipality’s
strategic strategy to
provide further housing
settlements.
THE CITY will be training 200 progress made. R741 million for the duration The additional amount
unemployed youth through Acting Deputy City Manager of the programme. Due to the was approved as part of
the artisan Development of the Corporate and Human cost, the City was unable to the Adjustment Budget
Programme over three years, Resources Cluster Dr Mpilo implement the programme at for the 2018/19 financial
specifically in plumbing and Ngubane said youth were once with phases being rolled year at an Executive
electrical courses. selected for the programme out instead. Committee meeting held
This follows the tabling from a City database. The report states that on 26 February.
of a report at an Executive “We have advertised on a the initial phase of This is an addition to
Committee meeting on 26 number of occasions for youth, implementation, partly funded the R25 million that
February for the Municipality who qualified, to register on by the Municipality, targeted has already been spent
to accept grant funding of a database to participate in more than 500 beneficiaries this financial year by
R33 million from the Energy such programmes. We renew who were enrolled for three the Human Settlements
and Water Sector Education and add new recipients to the years. The programme will be Unit to purchase land in
and Training Authority (SETA) database every three years. We end next year. a bid to build additional
to implement the Artisan advertised in November last The Energy and Water SETA housing settlements and
Development Programme: year for youth to be added to has granted R33 million to fast track service delivery
Plumbing and Electrical the database,” he said. the Municipality to enrol in communities.
for 200 beneficiaries. The This initiative is part of 200 beneficiaries over three The approval of funding
programme started on 1 March. the Artisan Development years. The funding approved to purchase additional
The tabled report grants Programme which was to undertake 100 electricians land was welcomed by
authority for the City’s Chief approved by Council in 2016. and 100 plumbers. Adding the Executive Committee
Learning Officer to enter into The programme had a targeted to the existing number of who remain committed
a service level agreement with output of 10 000 trained enrolled, the total number of to efficient and effective
the procured professional artisans in various trades beneficiaries of the programme service delivery.
training provider to deliver and which required a budget of is 735.
monitor as well as report on
2 ETHEKWINI WEEKLY BULLETIN ISSUE 157
SIBUSISO MDAKANE DRIVE RENOVATIONS
TO PROMOTE TOWNSHIP ECONOMY
AS PART of the City’s initiative
to promote township economy, The upgrade
the upgrade and enhancement and enhancement
of Sibusiso
of Sibusiso Mdakane Drive in
Mdakane Drive in
uMlazi V-Section is underway. uMlazi V-Section
This project, which intends to is underway.
endorse a new urban vision of
townships, will bring revenue to
the City by attracting tourists as
well as providing government
services to residents.
Most importantly, this
development will be a turning
point for residents as it
will lead to more business
opportunities therefore
resulting in job creation.
Ensuring that informal traders
who have been trading on
Sibusiso Mdakane Drive also
benefit, eThekwini Mayor Presently walkways are being be the same again once the infrastructure in uMlazi over
Zandile Gumede said: “Traders revamped by block pavers to project is completed. the next four years with the
will be provided with trading give the precinct a new look Development began in April vision of developing the
stalls fitted with supporting and feel. Pedestrian sidewalks 2018 with the improvement greater V node into uMlazi’s
infrastructure. This will include will also be widened with of roads and infrastructure primary township hub. Sibusiso
ablution facilities, water, benches added and new street underway and is expected Mdakane Drive also known as
electricity and rubbish bins lights to be installed that will to be completed in August “Florida wase-Mlazi” will be
and will ensure that people feature new designed lighting. notwithstanding challenges. developed as a high street to
are trading in safe and clean Mayor Gumede said Sibusiso The Municipality will invested the standard of Vilakazi Street
spaces.” Mdakane Drive will be never over R117 million towards in Soweto, Johannesburg.
Public meeting on City’s Annual Report
ETHEKWINI residents were service delivery record is oversight measures going hand of R6.4 billion,
given the platform to provide validation that a new dawn forward.” • Low gearing,
progressive input that will help was upon the City for the EThekwini Municipality’s • Excellent debt collection
shape the Municipality after 2018/2019 financial year. current economic climate is rate of 92 percent,
attending the Annual Report “Our vision is to move South characterised by a low growth • Revenue growth of 6.9
presentation held at the Durban Africa forward in order to deal rate, unemployment, rising percent year-on-year,
City Hall on 26 February. The with the triple challenges of inflation, a depreciating rand, • Service delivery
Annual Report provides the poverty, unemployment and load-shedding and increasing achievements,
public with information on the inequality. We will continue our VAT, food and fuel prices. All • Economic development and
Municipality’s activities as well pursuit of making eThekwini these factors impact on the catalytic projects,
as its financial performance. Municipality the most caring consumers’ pocket and their • Sustainability and green
The presentation, which was and liveable city in Africa by ability to pay. This in turn projects,
headed by the Municipal 2030,” she said. affects the cash flow and the • Improved procurement-
Public Accounts Committee, EThekwini City Manager financial sustainability and benchmarking and value for
left attendees pleased with Sipho Nzuza said: “The viability of the Municipality. money and,
the City which received an Municipality has a gratified However, according to the • Maintaining its investment
unqualified audit opinion for record of receiving unqualified Annual Report, eThekwini grade credit rating of AA+
the 2017/2018 financial year. audit reports and I am pleased Municipality still managed to in the long term and A1+
However, some concerns were that this financial year is no perform outstandingly well, in the short term with a
raised by those in attendance different. While the Auditor ensuring financial stability in positive outlook.
in the hopes that it could lead General raised findings the City. The full 2017/2018 Annual
to change in the near future. in the report, we remain The Municipality boasts a Report is available at libraries,
EThekwini Mayor Zandile committed to addressing these strong financial position as Sizakala Centres and on the
Gumede said the improving by implementing stronger proven by: website www.durban.gov.za .
• Strong liquidity- cash on
ISSUE 157 ETHEKWINI WEEKLY BULLETIN 3
www.durban.gov.za
BEAUTIFUL GARDENS WIN BIG AT
THE CITY’S VERGE COMPETITION
IT IS official! House number litres Jojo tank and gardening
25 on Prestondale in La Lucia tools.
has the best residential verge Speaking shortly after his
in the City. verge was announced the best
This announcement was in the City, Tavener said he
made on 28 February during was excited and dedicated the
the Verge Competition Awards award to his son and wife.
which were held at the Durban “When my son and I did this
Botanic Garden. garden we created a whole
The Municipality initiated ecosystem. We now have a lot
the annual competition to of butterflies, birds and lizards
recognise and encourage that live in the plants that we
residents to adopt a clean, have planted and the good
green and healthy environment thing is that we never have to
while showcasing their water our garden because it
gardening talents. looks after itself,” he said.
Biodiversity, sustainability, Head of the City’s PRC Unit, Thembinkosi Ngcobo congratulates Peter Congratulating the winners,
water conserving and Tavener after winning the verge competition. the City’s Head of Parks
showcasing the beauty of Recreation and Culture Unit
nature were the outstanding tank and gardening tools. school’s category was won by Thembinkosi Ngcobo said:
factors that the winners had in The competition was Bantuvukani Primary School “With the verge competition,
their gardens. divided into four categories from Lamontville. The school the Municipality aims to restore
The winner, Peter Tavener’s which included residential, received a 10 000 litres Jojo civic pride and to protect
verge received a score of commercial, schools and food tank and gardening tools. the environmental status.
92.5 percent from the judges garden. The Food Garden Category We also want to encourage
making him the winner in the Renwood Carries won the went to Wiseman Mzila of residents to ensure that the
residential category. He walked commercial category while the uMhlasiwe in Verulam. He also physical infrastructure in their
away with a 1000 litre Jojo walked away with a 10 000 neighbourhood is protected,”
he said.
Aspiring models attend open castings
JUST over 700 aspiring models an opportunity to break into Mariannhill and Hlengiwe
turned up at the Durban the local modelling industry. Ngcobo, 22 from uMlazi BB-
Botanic Gardens this past Business Support Programme Section are two of the lucky
weekend to audition in front of Manager, Sindi Shangase hopefuls shortlisted during
a panel of judges. The model explained: “This event is one the casting. They are both
hopefuls, between the ages of of the City’s youth and skills hoping that the competition
16 and 35 years came in the development initiatives. Our will be a launch pad for their
hope of being selected as one ten week bootcamp programme careers into the industry. Of
of the 24 models to participate equips the 24 selected the 56 shortlisted hopefuls
in the upcoming model aspirants with the necessary 24 will be selected to attend
bootcamp and stand a chance tools for the industry.” the bootcamp and finally
to be the new face of Durban She said the selected aspirants walk the ramp at the Durban
Fashion Fair 2019. are trained by industry experts, Fashion Fair scheduled to take
The event, which was held from how to pose to strutting place between 22 and 29 of
over two days has gained their walk on the ramp. “The September 2019. “One overall
momentum over the last eight ultimate prize will be to male and female winner will
years. The idea behind the participate in the Durban be chosen as the new face of
model search is to create a Fashion Fair,” Shangase Durban Fashion Fair 2019,”
platform for potential models added. said Shangase.
and new faces and give them Sphesihle Khumalo, 18, of
EDITORIAL TEAM
ACTING EDITOR: Mandla Nsele, Acting Head of Communications
If you would like to submit feedback or
CONTENT EDITOR: Nondumiso Mathomane • SUB-EDITOR: Nondumiso Mathomane
contribute to eThekwini Weekly Bulletin
Email: nondumiso.mathomane@durban.gov.za • WRITERS: Vuyo Ndlovu, Priah Dass, Charmel Payet, Simphiwe Dlamini, Mbalenhle Sethebe
and Carly van der Westhuizen.
• DESIGN & LAYOUT: Sandile Sokhela
You can also read
