In March we celebrate Human Rights Month. The human rights of all South Africans are protected by the Bill of Rights. Some of our human rights include: Equality, Human Dignity, Labour relations, Access to information, Freedom of expression and Education just to name a few.
Access to information and Education are just some of the issues that Sizakala centres can assist you with. In case you are not familiar with them. The Sizakala centres are education and information venues set up by eThekwini Municipality to assist you with a variety of issues and matters.
Sizakala is an isiZulu word, which means, ‘Get Help’. This program has at its core customer care and satisfaction. These are core of the Batho Pele Principles. The eThekwini Municipality is committed to upholding the principles of developmental Local Government and providing equitable access to Government services to all its citizens, tourists and those that work in eThekwini.
Below are just some of the matters that the Sizakala Centre in Umhlanga can help you with:
Services Offered
1. Submission and approval of new house plans
2. General signage advertising of structure
3. Enforcement and prosecution
4. Rezoning of land
5. Sub division of land
6. Consolidation of land
7. General advertising and signage
8. Submission and approval of plans
9. Assessment of plans
10. Collection of plans
11. Buildings approvals
12. All enquiries related to planning
13. Cemetery servicers and Bookings for Red hill Cemetery
14. Vacancy application forms, new application for rates rebates, grant-in-aid forms
15. Commissioner of Oaths Servicers
16. Renewals of licenses disc
17. Changing of car ownership
18. Re-printing of approved existing plans
19. Issues proof of address
20. Any enquires related to ward 35community
21. Paying of all municipality bills
22. Muvo service
23. Printing of housing evaluation
24. E-careers servicers
25. General enquires of water, electricity, DSW, Rates
Address: 327 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Umhlanga.
At a recent media briefing we heard from Palesa Pitso, the Marketing Officer of Sizakala Centres. She informed us that they manage 35 Sizakala Centres and they intend to increase them as well.
‘’Now you can pay your water and electricity accounts in various places around eThekwini, you don’t need to come into town you can go to your nearest centre,’’ said Ms Pitso.
Below is a diagram courtesy of eThekwini Municipality showing you where the nearest one to you is:
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You can also find a Sizakala centre in KwaMashu.
Below are the services they offer:
Services Offered
1. Municipal Service Complaints Handling
2. Cash Receipts
3. Traffic Fines
4. Independent Electoral Commission
5. Business Licensing
6. Housing
7. Rates Enquiries
8. Municipal Service Account Enquiries
9. Value Assist
10. Business Support
11. E-Careers
12. Councillors Support
13. Expanded Public Works Programme
14. Commissioner Of Oaths
15. Environment Health
16. INK Area Based Management
17. Community Participation
18. Cemeteries
Address: Malandela & E1139, Ntombela Road, KwaMashu
Part of the Sizakala Centres are other smaller centres such as the Thusong Centres, First Stop Shops and One Stop Shops.
Thusong Centres deal with services such as Government services, Home Affairs, GCIS etc.
First Stop Shops are for information or complaints.
One Stop Shops are for a variety of services.
They also have Mobile Vans which services 6 wards.
They offer the following services:
1. General enquiries
2. Traffic fines queries
3. Storm water queries
4. Accounts balance enquires
5. Water/Electricity Faults reporting
6. Info on hall bookings
7. Ezasegagasini newspaper and application forms.
Umhlanga Life asked various eThekwini residents if they had ever heard of Sizakala centres and this is what some them had to say:
‘’Yes I have,’’ said Unathi Msinga from eThekwini
‘’I don’t know anything about Sizakala centres,’’ was the answer from Linhle Mthembu.
It is for this reason that the Sizakala centres regularly have roadshows around eThekwini. They have some planned for later this year so look out for them.
Ms Pitso from Sizakala Centres is also committed to drastically overhauling the communications systems of not only Sizakala but also eThekwini Municipality so that there will be one line of communication in future and quick response times for customers.
‘’Sometimes complaints don’t go where they should. We would like to have a hub where we manage all complaints. We are also training our customer service staff and call centre staff. We need to improve our service standards,’’ noted Ms Pitso.
Contact details for Sizakala Customer Service Unit:
For complaints and queries:
Email: sizakala@durban.gov.za
Contact Number: 080 033 1011
For services and fault queries: 080 311 1111
For more information on the Sizakala centres visit: www.durban.gov.za
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