ETHEKWINIWEEKlY BUllETIN

www.durban.gov.za

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

“kEEPInG YoU In THE knoW”

22 TRuCK DRiVeRs ARResTeD FOR OuTsTANDiNG wARRANTs

ETHEkWInI Municipality’s Metro Police offi cers went out in full force on 8 september during a law enforcement operation, targeting

unroadworthy trucks and those that contravened City by-laws.The roadblocks which were set up on

Bayhead Road, the M7 and south Coast Road were in response to complaints by residents and motorists that the trucks were a nuisance, unroadworthy and causing damage to roads.During the blitz, Metro Police arrested 22

truck drivers who had outstanding warrants of arrest.Metro Police superintendent, Anand

Maharaj said the operation resulted in the issuing of six warrants of arrests amounting to R8 100 and outstanding summons totalling R83 800.Maharaj said the operation also yielded

positive results such as the prosecution of trucks with unroadworthy tyres, hooters that did not work, driver’s found driving without Professional Driving Permits, unlicensed

vehicles and wheel fl aps that were not fi tted on vehicles.“We also persecuted one driver who was

found without a license, one was found driving while talking on the cellphone and not wearing a seatbelt,” he said. Maharaj said law breakers in the

Municipality would not be tolerated.In order to curb the scourge of trucking

companies transgressing by-laws, Maharaj said the City promptly responds to reported cases. The City has regularly conducted similar

operations in residential areas, where truck companies have been found operating illegally and making use of residential roads thus damaging roads and pavements.Maharaj said in those instances

contravention fi nes were served on the transgressors.Further to combating the issue of illegal

trucking, the EThekwini Transport Authority has developed the ‘Integrated strategic Framework and Action Plan for the eThekwini Municipal Area’.

This plan will look at all freight and logistics interventions which will be required for the next 20 years to manage and improve freight activity in the Municipal Area. One of the fi ndings and recommendations

would be the Cato Ridge Intermodal Hub which would be required in the long term.It is envisaged that the intermodal hub will

be jointly planned, developed and operated by the City alongside a private operator. The plan suggested that further

investigation be carried out to determine the ideal operating model and responsibility.To-date, a stakeholder forum, which all

land owners in the area form part of, was formed. Maharaj said regular enforcement would

continue until all transgressors were brought to book.Residents can report illegal trucking on

unauthorised roads to the Metro Police Emergency number 031 361 0000.

Metro Police nabbed 22 truck drivers who had outstanding warrants of arrest during roadblocks on Bayhead Road, the M7 and South Coast Road on 8 September. The operation resulted in the issuing of six warrants of arrests amounting to R8 100 and outstanding summons totalling R83 800.

9 september 2016 [Issue 49]

2 eThekwini weekly BulleTin issue 49

www.durban.gov.za

CARDBOARD AND sCRAP MeTAL seLLeRs BROuGHT TO BOOK DuRiNG BLiTZ

Tons of wet cardboard and stolen scrap metal were confiscated by eThekwini Municipality Metro Police during a raid that also saw by-law transgressors being arrested. The cardboard and scrap

metal operation which began in the early hours of Tuesday 6 september, targeted the Durban Central Business District, an area that had been noted as a hotspot of the scourge. The operation was also part of

the City’s daily nuisances and Behaviour in Public Places By-law enforcement operations.Deputy Head of Metro Police

operations, steve Middleton said the City had noted with concern the amount of litter that had accumulated on City streets due to cardboard pickers. He said this was despite the

City’s efforts in vigorous Clean and Maintain Clean My City campaign.

The City provides a weekly refuse removal service to 945 000 households in formal and informal areas. We even distribute and collect recyclable material from households with the orange bag system that we have implemented to encourage home owners to recycle. There are numerous recycling centres throughout the metro as well, and at shopping centres. While the City makes every effort to keep our coastline clean, there is no amount of cleaning and policing that can deal with litter if we, as residents, do not change our behaviour on waste management.”Middleton said the City has

also been experiencing high volumes of non-ferrous metals theft, such as cable, copper pipes and industrial metal.“We have daily by-law

enforcement operations that are on-going, however, due to the growing scourge we took the decision to prioritise the

cardboard and scrap metal and conduct three operations a week,” he said.In an effort to maintain a

clean and sustainable City, Middleton urged residents to continue reporting illegal dumping to 031 311 8804.“We all have to be responsible

by taking care of the environment and to stop littering,” he said.He urged residents to also

report cable or copper theft to the following numbers: • Electricity’s call centre 080

13 13 111, sms: 083 700 0819 or email custocare@elec.durban.gov.za

• Cable Theft Hotline 031 311 9611

• sAPs 10111

• Metro Police Emergency Line 031 361 0000.

Middleton said daily City by-law enforcement operations will continue and will be conducted in other parts of the City.

Metro Police nabbed by-law transgressors during a cardboard and scrap metal operation. Officers also confiscated tons of wet cardboard and stolen scrap metal during the raid on 6 September.

ETHEKWINI AT YOUR SERVICE

ETHEkWInI Municipality ensures the dignity of all through superior health and hygiene. Ensuring the health of our communities is regarded as a major priority. our vast infrastructural network of sewers, pump stations and waste-water treatment works - with new upgrades in the pipeline - enables us to treat 491 000 kilolitres of effluent every day. We operate and maintain a vast infrastructure network comprising 300 pump stations and 31 waste water treatment works. However, the public’s blatant disregard for the environment and littering appears to be the cause of most of the problem that lead to the malfunctioning of sewers. We urge residents to be champions of change and to stop littering. This will address many of our environmental and infrastructural challenges.The Municipality also provides innovative, environmentally-friendly disposal services in rural areas, while developing community ablution facilities within informal settlements.The City’s Water and sanitation is the unit responsible for the provision of water and sanitation services to all citizens of the Municipality.The sanitation arm is primarily responsible for the acceptance of waste water for disposal, clearance of sewer blockages, emptying septic tanks and conservancy tanks, the provision and emptying of Ventilated ImprovedPit Latrines, the provision of water-borne sewage, the provision of sanitation services to informal settlements, theDurban Water Recycling Project and volume-based sewage disposal. This unit has as its core values a customer focus, cost consciousness and concern for the well-being of our people.The unit continually strives to introduce new and innovative ways to provide its services to our citizens and its efforts have been recognised by way of a range of awards and accolades.Residents are urged to immediately report sewer blockages to the 24 hour call out number on 080 1313 013.

www.durban.gov.za

issue 49 eThekwini weekly BulleTin 3

Nkululeko Mbele who was the overall winner of the 2016 eThekwini Master Caterers Challenge rejoicing with City officials and sponsors.

City’s Business Development Manager, Nonku Mthembu with Sithandiwe and Enhle Shabangu who won under the youth category of the eThekwini Master Caterers Challenge.

CiTy eMPOweRs eNTRePReNeuRs iN THe CuLiNARy seCTOR

ETHEkWInI Municipality continues to play a major role in providing vital training opportunities and financial support to local entrepreneurs through interventions such as the eThekwini Master Caterers Challenge.now in its second year,

the challenge is already paying dividends in creating employment opportunities.0n 7 september, 21 local

cooks and bakers shared grand prizes worth R250 000 after participating in the challenge.The prizes were handed to the

winners at a glittering award ceremony held at the Botanical Gardens. The ceremony was a

culmination of a two month competition which saw 48 participants battling it out in various cooking and baking challenges. The competition is aimed

at encouraging growth and development in the culinary sector.

Winners walked away with various cash prizes starting from R1000 to R50 000 and further training opportunities that will assist them in growing their businesses.overall winner nkululeko

Mbele, 32, who owns Lamontville Patisserie which provides wedding cakes and desserts walked away with R50 000. The prize money, he said,

was the cherry on top that he needed for his budding business to flourish.“I will use this money to

expand my business and establish a mobile kitchen which will supply sandwiches and food to companies. I am grateful to the Municipality for this life changing opportunity,” he said, adding that the challenge had taught him business fundamentals like healthy competition. Another winner, sithandiwe

shabangu, 28, who got a cheque of R20 000 said the

challenge was an “eye opener” and exposed her to different culinary skills to help her grow her business. shabangu, who runs a

catering business from home said she will use the money to buy much needed additional equipment. “My business has really

started growing in the last few months and I need more equipment to keep up with orders from customers,” said shabangu, whose cake was a favourite with attendees. The challenge also included

training sessions at the Durban University of Technology, Fusion Cooking school and Bidvest Bakery solutions which exposed participants to state-of-the-art equipment which allowed them to be innovative when preparing their dishes.Participants also attended a

catering course with the key focus on safety, restaurant operations, food hygiene and advanced baking skills.

There was also business training workshop which assisted participants on how to develop a business plan.nonku Mthembu, from the

City’s Business support, Tourism and Markets Unit which led the challenge applauded the winners and said the City hopes the competition and exposure will propel the participants to greater heights.“When we started this journey

last year we wanted to build sustainable businesses. I am glad to see that the

challenge has started yielding great result so quickly as we have testimonies of past winners who have already opened their food outlets and created employment.”Mthembu thanked the

sponsors and said their support is a good example of public and private partnership which helps advance people’s lives and contributes towards poverty alleviation.

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

SUB-EDITOR: nondumiso Mathomane • WRITERS: Princess nkabane and nonduduzo

ngcongo DESIgN AND lAYOUT: sandile sokhela

THE global exhibition aimed at eliminating the stigma associated with HIV/AIDs called ‘Through Positive Eyes’ has proved to be a great education platform about the epidemic.The exhibition which was launched during the International Aids Conference in July is still showcasing at Durban Art Gallery up until 30 september. It features workshops and over 100 photographs of people living with the virus within 10 Cities around the globe including the City of Durban.The aim of the workshops is to empower HIV-positive people to pursue their own artistic voices and to develop their individual narratives. In doing so, they create a powerful tool for combating the stigma

Through PosiTive eyes hiv/AiDs exhibiTion sTill unDerwAy

eTHeKwiNi ReADy TO sHOwCAse CiTy TO THe wORLD WITH only three days remaining before eThekwini hosts the 52nd International society of City and Regional Planners (IsoCARP) Congress, eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede has assured the world that the City is ready to showcase all it has to offer and share its planning interventions aimed at building a sustainable and resilient City.Gumede said the conference

would not only be an additional premium occasion on the City’s international events calendar but also offer the City an opportunity to take part in vital global conversations. “We are proud of the role

Durban will also play during the upcoming congress when it takes part in a gripping dialogue around matters such as how to stimulate and improve planning research,

training and education in order to enhance public awareness and understanding of major planning issues at a global level,” she saidHigh on the City’s agenda

is the promotion of mixed-use development, racial and spatial integration. The Municipality has implemented numerous interventions to address historical imbalances associated with apartheid planning.

A total of 43 different countries will be represented at this Congress. The international Isocarp Congress will be held

from 12 to 16 september, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. It is expected to be attended by more than 700 international delegates from across the globe who are experts in the field of urban and regional planning and have been involved in the designing and development of major cities across the globe.keeping to this year’s congress

theme: Cities we Have vs Cities

we need, the City will kick off the on 12 september begin the congress with three tours.These educational tours will

take over 400 national and international delegates to various parts of eThekwini that showcase the City’s transformation.Cooperative Governance

and Traditional Affairs MEC nomusa Dube-ncube said the province had pulled out all the stops to ensure that guests who will descend in kwaZulu-natal and City receive the red carpet treatment.“This event will also bring

together professional urban and town planners from around the world to share expertise and solutions to the most pertinent challenges associated with urbanisation and sustainable cities,” Dube-ncube said.

associated with the virus. Furthermore, the exhibition has live storytelling sessions documenting the realities of individuals living with HIV across the world sharing their experiences. Project Coordinator, Mabusi

kwete said she was impressed by the turnout as over 4000 people, especially teenagers have visited the exhibition to learn more about the disease. she added that some young people even come back alone to get more information as they

were scared to do so in groups.“This is the greatest chance to learn how to handle the virus, even if you are not infected but are affected,” added kwete.Mduduzi Xakaza, Director at the Art Gallery echoed kwete’s sentiments, saying he is happy to see such huge interest from the public. “This shows that people do care about matters affecting their country and want to be part of the solution,” he said, urging those who have not had an opportunity to view the exhibition to do so before it closes. ‘Through Positive Eyes’ is showcased at the Durban Art Gallery from Monday to saturday between 8:30-16:00 and on sunday from 11:00 to 16:00. Entrance is free.

Over 100 photographs of people living with HIV/AIDS are featured at the ‘Through Positive Eyes’ exhibition.