ETHEKWINIWEEKLY BULLETIN

www.durban.gov.za

By 2030 ethekwini will be Africa’s most caring and liveable city

“KEEPING yoU IN tHE KNoW”

liTTeR ideNTified As leAdiNG CAuse Of sTORMwATeR BlOCKAGes

loW lEVElS of environmental management and littering has been identifi ed as some of the major contributing factors to stormwater

drain blockages that occur during heavy rains.During the recent downpour, a number of

the City’s drains were unable to allow the excess of 200mm of rainfall to fl ow through the City’s stormwater drainage system. this was due to the accumulation of litter and debris that had blocked the drains.Deputy Head Coastal Stormwater and

Catchment Management, Randeer Kasserchun said ethekwini residents must be champions of change by playing an active role in the protection of the ecosystem.“In order to curb any future stormwater

drain blockages and the unnecessary infrastructure damage that results from fl ooding, residents should refrain from using the streets and drains as bins,” he said.Kasserchun said pollution has negatively

contributed to the functioning of the

stormwater network, however the City had various interventions in place. “these interventions are comprised of

both educational drives and technical engineering solutions. the pollution issue is one that needs to be addressed by residents themselves,” he said.Kasserchun said the Municipality has

designed and installed trash traps and oil Separation Weirs on various rivers and canals that discharge into the Harbour area.However, in order not to compromise

the hydraulic capacity of the existing stormwater network, these interventions are designed to operate during low fl ow situations only. Kasserchun said residents, however,

still needed to play their role, as the installations did not screen high fl ows which would result in the litter being deposited on the beaches during fl ooding situations.Kasserchun added that in order for

the City to ensure that the drains were never compromised again, ethekwini

Municipality had also identifi ed high frequency fl ooding areas and had put together proactive maintenance plans to ensure that the systems in these areas receive frequent inspections and are cleaned accordingly.Kasserchun said strategic interventions

such as the cleaning of all affected pipelines and clearing of all blockages will be implemented and drains would be surveyed using CCtV footage.the City will also adopt a Stormwater

and Coastal Policy and drive Catchment Management Education, through outreach programmes that get communities involved in catchment management initiatives including litter control.Kasserchun said the City will ensure that

residential developments are monitored and that the stormwater network is inspected on a regular basis to ensure that the system is functional at all times. He encouraged residents to report all

fl ooding issues or problems associated with the stormwater system on 0801313013 or email Eservices@durban.gov.za

The litter that was found washed up on the City’s beaches after the recent fl oods, does not only affect marine life but it also destroys City infrastructure such as the stormwater drainage system.

05 August 2016 [Issue 44]

2 eThekwini weekly BulleTin issue 44

www.durban.gov.za

usHAKA MARiNe CeO TAKes TOP HONOuR

Not oNly has uShaka Marine World thrived under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer, Stella Khumalo by attaining a clean audit for the 2014/15 financial year, the resilient leader has now been honoured as a regional business achiever of the year.Khumalo, who has been recognised for her ability to bring about business change, social impact and contributing to the economy, won in the government section of the Durban Businesswomen’s Association Regional Business Achiever Awards 2016.the extravagant award ceremony was held at the Inkosi Albert luthuli International Convection Centre on Friday, 29 July. the Regional Business Achiever Awards 2016 honour KwaZulu-Natal businesswomen who

have shown exceptional prowess in business and those who have contributed to socio-economic development. Finalists and winners are selected by an independent panel based on their individual achievements and commitment to the sustainability of their various projects and initiatives.Speaking at the event, Khumalo said she constantly thrives to do better.“Heading uShaka Marine World means ensuring that this ship remains buoyant, and that it continues to sail smoothly, reaching new waters that it has not reached before. I want to ensure that uShaka Marine World continues to grow in stature and further entrenches itself as one of the leading edu-tainment and tourist destinations in ethekwini, KwaZulu-Natal and South

Africa,” she said.Khumalo, who provides strategic management and leadership to a staff complement of 500 said during her tenure as CEo she had focused on three key areas - education, tourism and assisting the previously disadvantaged.“I remain passionate about improving the culture of learning and teaching in South Africa and have dedicated my time to the Stella Educational Foundation, a Non-Profit organisation that was set up to empower, support and mentor young people,” she said.UShaka Marine World is about to embark on a programme comprising short, medium and long term projects over the next 20 years to ensure that it remains a must see attraction.

UShaka Marine World Chief Executive Officer Stella Khumalo was honoured as a regional business achiever of the year in the government section of the Durban Businesswomen’s Association Regional Business Achiever Awards 2016. Khumalo is pictured with some of her colleagues whom she owes much of her success to.

ETHEKWINI AT YOUR SERVICE

Job creation is a critical area of concern for us and rather than viewing it in isolation, our approach to date has been an integrated one. In this regard, we are committed to building a sustainable city for future generations based on infrastructure-led growth, unlocking investment, economic development and job creation.

the Municipality is investing in more than 65 flagship projects across the City, ranging from manufacturing, construction and real estate to tourism, information communication technology, agriculture, maritime and logistics. Ethekwini Municipality ranks the creation of sustainable livelihoods as a critical element in our radical economic transformation agenda. the current high level of unemployment is the primary reason for inequality and poverty and we, therefore, strive to introduce programmes geared to bridging the gap between our wealthy and poor communities. In developing a sustainable city for our communities, we have in place 65 flagship investment projects which are likely to generate about 680 000 permanent new jobs in our region.

We are committed to building a sustainable City for future generations, based on infrastructure-led growth, unlocking investment, radical economic transformation and, importantly, job creation.

In support of this approach, the City is positioning itself as a trade and investment destination of choice in Africa and has in place a number of significant strategies and initiatives to leverage maximum local benefit for the ethekwini region.

issue 44 eThekwini weekly BulleTin 3

www.durban.gov.za

CITY INTENSIFIES ANTI-FRAUD AND CORRUPTION CAMPAIGNSto clamp down on rampant

fraud and corruption, ethekwini Municipality’s Anti-fraud and Corruption Department set up a mobile information stand at the Pinetown Sizakala Centre today, 5 August to inform the public that municipal jobs and tenders are not for sale.the City Integrity and

Investigations Unit (CIIU) Head Mbuso Ngcobo said that his Unit has intensified its efforts to root out fraud and corruption.“thorough investigations are

underway to sift out corrupt individuals who are scamming the public. thus far, the Unit has shut down fake municipal websites and several suspects have been arrested for issuing out fake appointment letters

bearing the Council logo,” he said.Ngcobo said that fraud and

corruption stifles service delivery. He urged the public and Municipal employees to report corruption by calling the

City’s tollfree fraud hotline. “Within our ranks, the City has dismissed municipal officials for corruption. Combing through public scams is a mammoth task but we are here to serve and protect the public.

But we need the public to be the watchdogs. Municipal jobs are not for sale and it is unfortunate that people are been duped,” he said. the public is urged to

report fraud, corruption, maladministration and human rights violations to the toll free hotline on 0800 202020 or email:ombuds@durban.gov.za. this is a free service and all cases are treated with confidentiality. the CIIU is a dedicated

Municipal body which was established to fight fraud and corruption and to ensure that the Municipality’s administration is governed by democratic values that promote and maintain a high standard of professional ethics.

CiTy PROMOTes RAdiCAl eCONOMiC TRANsfORMATiON Of wOMeN tHE Municipality will implement high-level programmes in the 2016/17 financial year that are aimed at advancing the empowerment of women and ensure that they are brought into the mainstream economy. This is affirmed by the

continuous support the City provides for women to ensure that they have access to economic opportunities.Nonku Mthembu who runs the

Women Empowerment wing of the City’s Business Support, tourism and Markets Unit said: “As we celebrate Women’s Month each year in August, the Municipality has a series of socio-economic empowerment programmes planned that will effectively benefit and empower women.”Mthembu said, her office’s

core mandate is to come up with tangible techniques on how to speed up women economic empowerment in the City and Province. She said the series of programmes

planned by the City will drive skills development by providing various business trainings courses for women, teach them on how to access finance and present available business opportunities.“this month we will provide a

three-months information and communications technology training for 120 women. this will offer computer skills lessons in order to drive

innovation and growth among women-owned businesses,” said Mthembu.Furthermore, Mthembu

said, the City, working with strategic corporate partners will launch a ‘Women in Business mentorship programme’ this month, targeting 15 women who will be mentored by top business experts on how to run successful businesses for a period of six months.

on 27 August, the City will host a ‘Business Networking Session’ where women will be encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and share opportunities to uplift each other. to celebrate incredible women

social entrepreneurs who are making a real difference to the lives of others in their communities, the City in partnership with Ithala will host Imbokodo Iyazenzela Women In Business Awards at Watefront Hotel on 27 August.Mthembu said, on 31 August

the City will host a ‘Women Empowerment Market Access and Supplier Development Engagement’ where numerous big firms will be on-site outlining available procurement opportunities within their companies.For more information on

these programmes and to book space, contact 031 311 4500 or email nonhlanhla.khumalo1@durban.gov.za

As part of eThekwini Municipality’s women economic empowerment interventions, the City earlier this year handed over sewing machines and provided training to local women.

Municipal official Nhlanhla Mhlongo educates Tsepo Moshesh about the City’s ongoing anti-fraud and corruption drive.

www.durban.gov.za

Email: gugu.mbonambi@durban.gov.za

If you would like to submit feedback or contribute to ethekwini Weekly Bulletin

EDITORIAL TEAMEDITOR: Tozi Mthethwa, Head of Communications • CONTENT EDITOR: Gugu Sisilana

WRITERS: Princess Nkabane, Nonduduzo Ngcongo, Romita Hanuman and Jessie Singh

DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Sandile Sokhela

NEW BILLING SYSTEM IMPROVES REVENUE COLLECTION

EtHEKWINI Municipality’s new billing system known as the Revenue Management System (RMS) will make signifi cant strides in improving revenue collection in the City. the City moved to the RMS

on 1 July without any glitches and thousands of customer accounts have been migrated into the billing system. the Municipality established

RMS in order to provide effective customer relations and debt management through an integrated system. the system also improves the ability to manage information, business processes, fi nancial controls and management

reporting. Peet du Plessis, Head of

Revenue Management Unit explained some of the main functionalities that contributes to improved revenue collection. “Within this system, there are many components. We can do billing, meter reading and debt collection in one fully automated system.” one of the additional

highlights of RMS is that ethekwini Municipality can consolidate a customer’s debt, in the instance that they own multiple properties.” Du Plessis added: “the City

is confi dent that RMS will make revenue collection much

easier as the relevant testing phases have been completed, staff have been trained and the bill amounts and charges are accurate. No customer will receive a bill with incorrect charges.” Residential and business

customers can email revline@durban.gov.za if they have any queries. Customers must also take

note that the layout of the bill generated by the RMS is slightly different from the previous bill and that the tariff increases for the 2016/17 fi nancial year have come into effect as of July 1st 2016, which will refl ect in the July

bill. there are a number of

alternative options available for customers to view their bills. Customers can register online under the Municipality’s e-Services application (www.durban.gov.za) to view their bills. once registered online, they can opt to receive bills via e-mail. Customers can also download

the Municipal app to view their bill.there is also the option to pay

an account through direct debit by indicating the maximum amount to be deducted monthly.

New look Customer Bill

Since the migration of all accounts on to the new Revenue Management System, the format of the bill that customers will now receive, has changed. Above is an example of how the new bill for ethekwini Municipality customers will look like.