Volunteers get stipend increase

The Community and Emergency Services Committee held its monthly meeting on Thursday, 03 March 2016. Several programmes were deliberated upon and recommended for final approval by the Executive Committee (EXCO).

Capital projects

As several capital projects were recently approved and others completed, the Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit will host ceremonies to celebrate the milestones.

These include a sod-turning ceremony for the Inanda Swimming Pool and amenities project, estimated at R37.4m. The ceremony is scheduled for 11 March 2016. On 12 March 2016, the recently upgraded KwaMashu G Hall will be officially handed over to the community.

A Sports Summit, followed by the handing over of Umzinyathi Sports Ground is scheduled to take place on 29-30 April 2016. Osindisweni Sports Grounds, recently fitted with changerooms and ablution facilities, will be handed back to the community on 21 May 2016.

Upcoming events

A Pre-Easter Gospel Concert is planned for 18 March 2016 at Curries Fountain. The concert will prominently feature previous winners of the Annual Gospel Identity Discovery Search. It will be an opportunity for the up and coming gospel artists to showcase their talent and share the stage with established perfomers.

A three-day Social Cohesion Conference is scheduled for 13-15 April 2016 at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The conference will focus on issues of non-racialism, nation building, and the Municipality’s vision of becoming the most liveable and caring City by 2030.

Stipend increase for Disaster Management volunteers

Approximately 3000 Disaster Management volunteers will have their daily stipend increased from R100 to R150.

The volunteers have undergone basic training in fire safety, first aid, home based care, trauma counselling, facilitation, public speaking and disaster management. They are often activated and deployed in instances of disaster and during events and that is when they receive the stipend.

Shortage of burial space in eThekwini

The Head of Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit, Mr Thembinkosi Ngcobo, shared with the committee that the City currently has 65 cemeteries. Out of that number, only 17 are still operational as all others have reached their capacity. Currently an average of 9000 burials take place annually in eThekwini and from a study conducted, it is envisaged that all cemeteries will be full by 2018.

He explained that the Unit has budgeted R1m which will be used for an extensive campaign to educate members of the public about the current situation and encourage alternative burial methods.