Mayor Mxolisi Thomas Kaunda

We are fully behind you boys! Make us proud!

We convened an engagement with the leadership of the tourism industry led by the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry this morning, 09 November on how we can strengthen and streamline our collaborative efforts to deliver a successful festive season in Durban.

I must state that our engagement was fruitful – characterised by frank and robust discussions. In the end, we were able to come up with the following resolutions:

• Keeping the promenade and beaches clean and safe for swimming
• Strengthening partnership with all stakeholders including the private sector to keep the city clean
• Consolidate our marketing campaigns to reposition Durban as a destination of choice for visitors
• Relaunching Durban and state of readiness for the festive season
• Working towards obtaining a Blue Flag status for Durban beaches
• Collaboration among all social partners (business, government and community) to revive the tourism sector in Durban
• Maintain high police visibility in all tourism sites to prevent crime and keep visitors safe

I had a bilateral meeting with the Mayor of the City of Cologne in Germany, Mr Andres Wolter this morning, 08 November in support of Connective Cities initiatives.

The meeting was aimed at exploring learning opportunities in the area of flood management and to ensure that communities are capacitated so they can protect themselves and in the face of many risk they face during floods as a result of climate change.

This meeting was very strategic as it consolidated the support that the Municipality is getting from the German Government for flood mitigation and risk management programmes.

It will also enable Durban to learn from other cities around the world, in particular the SADEC Region on how to deal with climate induced disasters and post floods mitigation strategies.

The Mayor Wolter shared the same sentiments adding that local solutions for urban development were crucial hence the importance of this bilateral meeting between the eThekwini and the City of Cologne.

We have just concluded a successful engagement with the Bluff, Merebank and Wentworth Ratepayers Associations that was held at the Durban City Hall this evening, 07 November.

The Associations had written to myself and Speaker asking for our intervention in some of the service delivery challenges in their respective areas.

The meeting was aimed at unlocking bottlenecks when it comes the areas of concern raised by the Associations in their letter and during the meeting.

We promised that all the concerns raised by both Associations will be resolved and some items the Municipality was already dealing with them.

We committed to work together in improving the level of service delivery and building towards a liveable City.

I also appealed for residents’ support as we rebuild the City.

I am happy to announce that Umbilo Library will officially reopens today, 1 November, on its new premises in Bulwer Park, 202 Helen Joseph Road, Glenwood.

The library, which has been closed for three years, will open its services to the public in the permanent space owned by the Municipality.

The library will be open from 9am to 5pm weekdays then on Saturday from 8:30 to 12h30 and on Sundays the library is closed.

In addition to the books, the library is equipped with an internet café, Wi-Fi, study space, and other resources.

Okuhle kodwa!

Debt Relief Programme

We are the champions, I'm ready to receive the Webb Ellis Cup !

Phezu kwabo!!

We are fully behind Abafana Besithende and the Natal Rich Boys! Kubo!

Sengijube amathimba ezimo esiphuthumayo ukuthi ame ngomumo.

Ngezimo eziphuthumayo ungashayela isikhungo sethu ku- 031 361 0000

Go Bokke!

We are aware of the electricity outage affecting the Highway area.

We welcome the decision of the High Court in the matter between the Municipality and Westville Ratepayers Association (WRA).
This follows judgment passed down today, 27 October in the High Court in the case in which the WRA sought to interdict eThekwini from disconnecting services of customers who have joined the rates boycott. WRA’s application was dismissed with costs.

The judgement effectively means that residents supporting the rates boycott must pay for services, including penalties, interest, and a reconnection fee. Furthermore, where residents who have been disconnected are found to have illegal connections, the meter will be removed.

The judgement is an important victory not just for eThekwini but for other municipalities as well. This judgement validates the stance of the Municipality in this matter. It also confirms the view that ratepayer associations cannot take the law into their own hands and withhold payments that are lawfully due to the City.

The City has consistently advised and cautioned residents to refrain from such action as it is unlawful. We hope that this court decision will act as a deterrent to such unlawful behaviour.

The Municipality had always maintained that engagement with ratepayers associations was the most constructive way forward.
To this end, the Municipality has engaged and will continue to engage with ratepayers associations to find solutions to service delivery challenges.

The Municipality urges residents to continue paying their Municipal bills. Where there are genuine financial difficulties, residents can make use of the current Debt Relief Programme. Customers can also visit any Sizakala Centre to enter into affordable payment arrangements.

The Municipality thanks all its customers who continue paying their Municipal bills. This ensures the delivery of services and the financial sustainability of the City.

EThekwini commits to doing its part by implementing the programme as per the approved 2023/2024 budget, providing adequate services, prudently managing the Municipal purse, and taking action to stem wrongdoing.

Mayibuye!

We wish to commend the leadership of SANTACO for choosing Durban as a host city for the 2023 Taxi Imbizo.

This speaks volumes about the confidence the leadership of SANTACO have in this city and the excellent service it continue to provide to its clients.

One of the important mandates of this democratic government is to provide integrated, safe, reliable and affordable public transport.

These elements of public transport are not mutually exclusive.

For instance, you cannot achieve integration in public transport if there is one sector that is not stable or safe.

Therefore, we want to commend them for convening this gathering which seeks to find lasting solutions on the perennial challenge of safety within the industry.

We officially handed over a newly built bridge, in Philani Valley near the Mega Philani Mall, to residents today. Repairs to the bridge was necessitated after damaged caused during the April floods.

The construction of the Emasomini arched soffit pedestrian bridge over the eZimbokodweni River is a four-span semi-integral reinforced concrete bridge with a total length of 100 metres.

This project aims to improve the safety and connectivity of residents from Wards 86 and 94 by providing safe passage across the river.

The project, also scooped an award during the 2023 National South African Institution of Civil Engineering Awards this week.

BOLD PLANS FOR WASTE PICKERS IN BUFFELSDRAI LANDFILL SITE

Kuyintokozo ukunibikela ukuthi I sengizoba yingxenye yeVuka Afrika Breakfast Show kuKhozi FM njalo ngoLwesibili ngo08:15 ekuseni sithi Masisukume Sakhe iTheku.

Tune into eZaseThekwini every Monday at 07:40AM on The Uprising-Gagasi FM with Felix and Minnie. I will be a regular contributor on the show.

SIYABAMUKELA BONKE ABAPHOS'TOLI ABETHAMELE INKONZO YABO ENKULUKAZI ETHEKWINI

I will be embarking on City-wide engagements with ratepayers to discuss pertinent issues of service delivery.

To kick-start these engagements, we will meet with the Westville Ratepayers Association on Thursday evening, as part of ongoing efforts to unlock bottlenecks that frustrate the delivery of services to residents

Something good is indeed happening in Durban as yet another new business has opened its doors, adding to the growing luxury restaurant and entertainment scene in the City.

The opening of Signature Restaurant at Oceans Mall in uMhlanga shows the confidence that investors continue to have on our City.

We wish to congratulate the Mabuza family for this wonderful achievement of bringing a 5 star restaurant to our City.

Durban is the only place to have a Signature Restaurant outside of Morningside in Sandton.

We have no doubt that this restaurant will enrich our calinary experience and enhance the tourism experience.

TRAFFIC CONGESTION WOES TO END SOON IN UMLAZI AS R102 UPGRADE NEARS COMPLETION

Great strides that have been made by the Municipality in repairing the R 102 near uMlazi Mega City will go a long way in easing traffic congestion. The road was damaged by last year’s floods.

The repairs of uMlazi R 102 is a joint project between the Municipality and the provincial Department of Transport.

We are encouraged by the great progress that has been made by the team. They have committed that by the end of July they will be ready to hand over the road back to the community of uMlazi.

This will come in handy in easing the traffic congestion that this community has endured for the past months when they enter or exit the township.

Ngifisa ukuqinisekisa izakhamizi eziphakelwa amanzi yiNorthdene 3 Water Pumpstation nezinye izindawo zokugcina amanzi ezingaphansi kwalesi sikhungo ukuthi senza konke okusemandleni ukubuyisa amanzi kulezi zindawo.

Yize ukulungiswa kwengqalasizinda kagesi kuphothuliwe ekuqaleni kwaleli sonto, ukugcwala kwezindawo okugcinwa kuzona amanzi kuthatha isikhathi eside kunaleso ebesilindelwe ngenxa yokuthi iningi lalezi zindawo zisale zingenawo nhlobo amanzi ngesikhathi kusalungiswa.

Kuyimanje, amanzi ayagcwaliswa kulezi zindawo futhi amathimba ethu asiqaphile isimo ukuze aqinisekise ukuthi sibuyela kwesejwayelekile.

UMasipala uzoqhubeka nokuthumela amaloli amanzi emiphakathini ethintekile.

Izindawo ezithintekile zifaka lezi ezilandelayo:

• Chatsworth 4 Reservoir: Arena Park, Buffels Bosch, Chatsworth Town Centre, Crossmoor, Ehlanzeni, Klaarwater, Kwamgaga, Montford, Moorton, Risecliff, Welbedacht East and West, Westcliff, naseWoodhurst.

• Shallcross Reservoir: Buffels Bosch, Burlington Heights, Savannah Park, naseShallcross.

• Klaarwater Reservoir: Crossmoor, Klaarwater, Savannah Park, Shallcross, naseSt Wendolins Ridge.

• Washington Heights Reservoir: Mariannheights, Mariann Industrial Park, Nsiswakazi, Phumphele, Savannah Park, St Wendolins Ridge, naseMshinini.

• Intake Reservoir: Ezihyathini, Klaarwater, Luganda, Nagina, Nsiswakazi, Pineview, Regency Park, naseSithundu Hills.

Siyaxolisa ngalokhu kuphazamiseka.

Residents of Hambanathi welcomed the re-opening of the Hambanathi Swimming Pool which was closed for several months due to vandalism.

This swimming pool was initially closed because of the water crisis in oThongathi due to the April 2022 floods that damaged the pumpstation. However, it was then vandalised.

We strongly condemn the vandalism of Municipal infrastructure and urge communities to protect it as these structures belong to them.

The Municipality has 54 swimming pools, and we will continue to build more swimming pools especially in townships and rural areas.

I also convened a Mayoral Imbizo to address service delivery challenges in Hambanathi.

Siyazi ngokuphazamiseka kwamanzi eMlazi ezigcemeni zakwa-Z, kwa-AA nakwa-BB. Imbangela yalokhu kube wukunqamuka kukagesi kule ndawo. Inkinga kagesi isilungisiwe.

Umsebenzi wokumpompa amanzi usuyaqhubeka futhi, namanzi abesehlile ezindaweni zokugcina amanzi aseyagcwaliswa.

Ukugcwala kwezindawo zokugcina amanzi kuzoncika ekutheni amanzi asetshenziswa kangakanani. Amathimba ethu azoqhubeka nokuqapha isimo ukuze aqinisekise ukuthi yonke imiphakathi iphakelwa amanzi ngokulingana.

Siyaxolisa ngokuphazamiseka okube khona.

Ukuze uthole olunye ulwazi mayelana nokuhlinzekwa kwamanzi, umphakathi ungashayela inombolo yamahhala ethi 080 311 1111 noma usebenzise inombolo kaWhatsApp yezamanzi nokuthuthwa kwendle ethi 073 1483 477. Umphakathi ungathumela ne-email ku: [email protected]

We wish to extend a warm Durban welcome to over 8 000 runners taking part in the highly anticipated ABSA Run Your City Durban 10km taking place on Sunday, 9 July.

The hosting of this event aligns with the City’s vision of building active and healthy communities, while growing sports tourism to boost the economy and create jobs.

All safety measures are in place to ensure the City delivered a successful and incident-free event.

We want participants to have good memories of eThekwini, and to be our brand ambassadors by encouraging those they know to visit our City.

We are confident that the race will be a huge success considering our proven track record of hosting major international events.

It was a great honour for me to be part of our Men's Seminar today, 7 July at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre where I challenged men employed in the City to help act to end gender-based violence and femicide.

The event was organised by the Corporate and Human Capital Cluster chaired by Councillor Nkosenhle Madlala .

The seminar marked the start of Men’s Month while also seeking to promote diversity and inclusion in the Municipality.

I used this seminar to encourage men to work together to promote gender equality and inclusivity in the workplace.

Ngimema umphakathi waseHambanathi namaphathelo ukuthi uphume ngobuningi bawo, sophinde sidingide nezinhlelo zentuthuko.

Sikushayela ihlombe ukuboshwa kwabesilisa abayisithupha ngamaphoyisa kaMasipala ngemuva kokuba betholakale nezingxenye zezimoto ezicwiywe ezimotweni zikaMasipala.

Lokhu kuza ngemuva kwesinye isigameko lapho khona amaphoyisa kaMasipala ethole imoto kaMasipala yohlobo lweVW ebiyebiwe eMlazi.

Abasolwa baboshwe ngemuva kokuba amaphoyisa kaMasipala elunywe indlebe abe esenza uphenyo oluwaholele ehlathini eliseTafelkop lapho khona lawa madoda ebanjwe oqotsheni ecwiya izimoto zikaMasipala.

Sinxusa umphakathi ukuthi usebenzisane nathi nezinye izinhlaka zomthetho ukuze labo abaduna izimoto zikaMasipala bajeziswe njengoba ubugebengu ababenzayo buhlukumeza umphakathi.

Sinxusa umphakathi ukuba ubikele amaphoyisa uma kukhona okubonayo okusolisayo noma ushayele ku-0800235338.

Namhlanje ekuseni sethule osonkontileka abane abazosebenza ukuthulula amathoyilethi omgodi ohlobo lweVentilated Improved Pit (VIP) namathoyilethi ohlobo lwe-Urine Diversion (UD), emawadini u-54 no-57.

Yize umsebenzi uqale emawadini u-54 no-57, osonkontileka bazoya nakwezinye izindawo eziningi zakuleli Dolobha njengoba engaphezu kuka-30 000 amathoyilethi okumele athululwe ezifundeni zozine kulo nyaka wezimali.

Inhloso kaMasipala wukuwaqeda wonke amathoyilethi omgodi namathange okugcina indle ambelwa phansi, phecelezi septic tanks, kulona lonke iDolobha.Uyaqhubeka umsebenzi wokufakela imiphakathi ingqalasizinda yokuthuthwa kwendle ezoxhunywa ohlelweni lweDolobha.

Following a meeting two months ago with Ntuzuma, Inanda, and KwaMashu ward councillors to address water challenges in their areas, we held a follow-up meeting today, 5 July.

Ward councillors together with Water and Sanitation senior management were in attendance to track the progress that has been made by the unit in implementing the decisions taken at the initial meeting.

Following the first engagement and after a fire that damaged the pumpstation, temporary works were undertaken. This was to reinstate the duty pumps to the various areas. We are happy that those repairs have been completed.

Parallel to this temporary work, the pumpstation will undergo a functional upgrade which will improve its reliability and ensure a stable supply of water. This process is currently at SCM with hopes of it being concluded soon.

While technicians are busy upgrading infrastructure at the pumpstation, plumbers will be deployed to every ward to ensure that there are no technical challenges.

They will be dealing with water leaks and internal maintenance to improve water supply and prevent water loss in the area.

I met with the board and management of Inanda FM today to bolster a working relationship with the Inanda-based community radio station.

The meeting also explored opportunities to work together to address social ills affecting the Inanda community.

Mayor Kaunda also conducted an unannounced visit to the Inanda Seminary Clinic to assess the quality of care offered at the health facility. The clinic attends to over 400 patients daily.

UMnyango wezaManzi kuMasipala weTheku ulungise imitha eliqhumile emgwaqweni uClermont Road. Izakhamizi zinxuswa ukuba zibikele lo mnyango uma kukhona amapayipi aqhumile ukuze azolungiswa ngokushesha.

We will be calling electricity prepaid customers from different areas for each month. As from tomorrow, 01 July - Westville, Chiltern Hills, Cowies Hill, Atholl Heights, Dawncrest, Dawncliffe, Beverly Hills, Clare Estate, Palmiet, Rouken Glen, Glayheigh, Erin-Go-Bragth, Westville South, Westville North and Reservoir Hills, let's go!!
Visit your nearest Sizakala Centre or Customer Service Centre.

Amathimba ethu akwaGesi asasebenza namanje ukuze kubuye ugesi ezindaweni eziningi ngemuva komonakalo odalwe yimvula enamandla. Kwezinye izindawo umsebenzi uphazanyiswa amanzi agcwele phansi uma kumbiwa. Nakuba kunjalo, bazoqhubeka kuze kube ugesi uyabuya kuzozonke izindawo. Sicela umphakathi usize ngokuthi ucishe izinto ezisebenza ngamandla kagesi amakhulu ukuze sigweme ukuthi ugesi uphinde unqamuke lapho ubuya.