MORE ELECTRICITY FOR INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS
Two informal settlements and a housing project have been added to the list of areas to be electrified in the current financial year after Council approved a budget of over R5.4million for the upgrade of infrastructure to provide for new electricity connections. The Full Council sitting took place at City Hall on Wednesday, 01 October 2014.
Council mandated the Electricity Unit to spend R2.637m to extend the existing medium and low voltage reticulation system to provide for new electricity connections for Umbhayi Informal Settlements in Ward 61 oThongathi. A further R909 373 was set aside for the Khululeka Drive Informal Settlement in Ward 21, KwaDabeka and R1.871m was allocated to the eTafuleni Phase 1C project in Ward 56, Inanda.
The electrification project is part of the Municipality’s programme to extend interim services to people living in informal settlements and to extend services to the City’s citizens.
Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee Chairperson Cllr Nigel Gumede said; “It is of great importance that we continue to improve the lives of the City’s residents in all corners of Durban, which is why the Municipality is working on projects like these.”
CORRECTION OF DR PIXLEY KASEME STREET NAME
Council approved the correction of the name of Dr Pixely kaSeme street (former West Street) to Dr PixleykaIsakaSeme Street. Early this year, Council engaged in a process of public consultation after it had come to the Municipality’s attention that the current spelling of the name distorted the real meaning of the name.
Council rescinded its decision of 14-05-2008 to rename West Street to Dr Pixley kaSeme, and authorised the correction of the spelling of the street name. The Deputy City Managers for Governance and Finance were mandated to identify funds to correct the signage in line with the new resolution.
BUDGET FOR MASAKHANE OUTREACH PROGRAMME
Council also supported the spending of a total of R504 000 for the hosting of the Masakhane Outreach Programme for a period of six months in various regions of eThekwini. The programme will be held in 16 wards around the City.
The Masakhane Outreach Programme is one of the Municipality’s public participation platforms and involves engagements between community members and Municipal officials and political leadership to address service delivery challenges in different wards. EThekwini values public participation in driving the City’s developmental agenda.
SUPPORT FOR ETHEKWINI FILMMAKERS ASSOCIATION PROGRAMME
Council approved the continued participation of the Municipality in the eThekwini Filmmakers Association’s programme aimed at providing skills and development support for emerging filmmakers in Durban. The City Manager, Sibusiso Sithole, was mandated to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to give effect to the partnership. The Head of Economic Development and Investment Promotion was authorised to transfer funds amounting to R400 000 to the Association in accordance with the MOA and to update Council on progress of the programme.
INNOVATION PROGRAMME
Council approved the hosting of the Innovation Week between April and June next year as part of the Municipality’s innovation Programme aimed at driving economic development and employment by encouraging citizens to be innovative in their communities and businesses. Innovation Week will take place in a form of the Youth Innovation Trek targeting finding innovative solutions to identified challenges for Area Based Management and the Innovative Youth Summit which will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, capacity building and technology-based economic and social development.
Funding of R700 000 was approved for the project.
SYMPATHY FOR NTUZUMA BUS ACCIDENT VICTIMS
Council also expressed sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims of the road accident involving a Municipal bus in the morning of 23/09/2014. Four people lost their lives and 42 were injured. It was agreed that a delegation from the City, including the eThekwini Transport Authority management will attend the funeral on behalf of the City. The Municipality is working together with the bus operator, Tansnat, to assist the victims and their families.
A comprehensive report will be provided to Council once the accident investigation is concluded.
SENIOR CITIZENS BUDGET
Council granted the provision of additional funding for the senior citizens programme.
The additional funding was revised with an additional amount of R1.2m up to R14.2m to accommodate additional senior citizens. The Programme caters for 600 pensioners per ward.
EThekwini Mayor Cllr James Nxumalo stressed the importance of taking care of the senior citizens of the City,
“The City has not neglected its senior citizens, necessary measures will be taken to ensure that they are taken care of because they are the backbone of society.” said Mayor Nxumalo.
