ETHEKWINIWEEKLy BuLLETIN

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

“KEEPING YOu IN THE KNOW”

etHekWini launcHes first state-of-tHe-art eMergency

coMMand veHicle in kZn

IN AN effort to prioritise the safety and security of eThekwini residents, the Municipality’s disaster

Management unit has launched an Emergency Command Vehicle. The high-tech vehicle, which is the fi rst of its kind in KwaZulu-Natal will provide rapid response to major disasters in eThekwini region and surrounding areas when required.Speaking at the launch, deputy

City Manager for Community and Emergency Services unit, dr Musa Gumede said the City had considered investing in the state-of-the-art facility after

the attacks against African immigrants that plagued the country in 2015. “Soon after that, we

experienced heavy rains and felt that our offi cials could have been more effective if they had this vehicle,” he said. The acquisition of the vehicle, said Gumede was another way of improving the level service delivery to the people of eThekwini. Mayor Zandile Gumede

congratulated eThekwini residents for the new acquisition which will ensure that emergency incidents are dealt with more effectively and

speedily. “It is of utmost importance

to us that all our citizens enjoy the service provided by this innovation. That is why I am happy that the vehicle has been designed in such a way that it will be able to have access and be stationed in any area within eThekwini, including rural areas,” she said enthusiastically. Gumede thanked experts from various private organisations that had worked with the Municipality in providing the required specifi cations for the vehicle. “This is testimony that if government works together

with the private sector, we can indeed improve the lives of our people,” she added. The Emergency Command

Vehicle cost approximately r9 million for capital and operations. It is equipped with a server room, boardroom, lighting mast, work stations, satellite, Wi-Fi and Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) equipment. The vehicle will not only be

used during emergencies, but will also be used as a joint operations centre when the Municipality hosts big events in areas where there are not CCTV cameras.

4 NOVEMBEr 2016 [Issue 57]

EThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and deputy Mayor Fawzia Peer, offi cially unveiled the Emergency Command Vehicle which will assist personnel in managing emergency incidents more effi ciently and effectively.

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2 eThekwini weekly BulleTin issue 57

ETHEKWINI Mayor Zandile Gumede led by example when she participated in the eThekwini Walk for Cancer initiative on 29 October. The aim of the five kilometre

walk was to stand in solidarity with cancer patients and their families while raising awareness of the disease. It also encouraged participants to lead a healthy lifestyle.The walk, a joint initiative

between eThekwini Municipality and Mabliza Lifestyle, started at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and ended at the Green Hub in Blue Lagoon. Gumede said as October

was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it was important to be involved in a campaign that highlighted the importance of breast cancer awareness, education and research. “South African women have a

one in nine chance of getting cancer. Breast cancer tops the list according to the Cancer Association of South Africa.”Gumede said breast cancer

Bricklaying course to develop future entrepreneurs

etHekWini Mayor leads cancer aWareness Walk

constitutes around 25 percent of cancers in women. “Cancer affects one in every

29 South Africans. This figure is even higher in urban communities in South Africa affecting one in every eight South Africans according to the National Health Laboratory,” Gumede added.

A number of initiatives have been held throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month by the City in partnership with Non-Government Organisations and civil society. These included various campaigns and wearing the colour pink which has become synonymous with

breast cancer awareness. Gumede urged residents,

especially women, to go for regular check-ups.“Early detection is crucial,”

she said. Founder of Mabliza Lifestyle,

Zanele Maphumulo, said the walk was the beginning of great things to come.

THE GrAduATION of 30 unemployed youth from Inanda, KwaMashu and Ntuzuma who successfully completed a three months bricklaying course has further reaffirmed eThekwini Municipality’s commitment to skills development. The skills training will

also play a massive role in instilling a culture that encourages people to consider entrepreneurship as an option in order to grow the economy and create jobs.This emerged during the

graduation ceremony of 30 unemployed youth who recently completed the bricklaying course at Corobrik’s Avoca Training

EThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede was joined by thousands of people including senior politicians, City officials and Founder of Mabliza Lifestyle, Zanele Maphumulo, as she took part in a five kilometre walk to raise awareness about cancer and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Centre. The course was offered by the Municipality’s Business Support department.The ceremony was held at

durban Botanical Gardens on 19 October.“The course was difficult at

first, but now I feel confident. It will help me develop my own business as I am now

well versed in both theory and practical aspects of bricklaying,” said one of the graduates, Nobuhle Mncube.She said she will forever be

grateful to the Municipality for the opportunity, describing it as life changing. Mncube was one of six

students who were given

special awards in recognition of their outstanding performances during the course which commenced in mid-June. Siyabonga Luthuli, Project

Executive from the City’s Business Support department said they were pleased to see the eagerness from young people to start their own businesses. “We offer training in various

fields to empower people, especially the youth. This helps them get employment opportunities or open businesses,” he said. Luthuli added that their

department will soon advertise other bricklaying courses.

The City has helped 30 youth acquire bricklaying skills. The youth have been encouraged to start their own businesses.

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issue 57 eThekwini weekly BulleTin 3

city successfully stages 40tH international Hospital federation congress

keynote address on the first day of the conference.He said the conference

provided a platform for discussion on the role hospitals play in providing quality healthcare. “Some of the topics to be discussed, support government initiatives to address health challenges in the country including HIV,

TB, diabetes, hypertension and obesity.”Premier Willies Mchunu,

offering a message of support, said the conference would be a “great festival of ideas from the speakers lined up and the topics scheduled for discussion”.Chairwoman of the

Community Services

ETHEKWINI cemented it status as a leading conferencing venue as it hosted the 40th International Hospital Federation (IHF) Congress from 1 to 3 November.The congress was held for the

first time on African soil since the organisation was started in 1929.The conference was held

at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre under the theme ‘Addressing the challenge of patient-centred care and safety’. EThekwini Municipality provided logistical support with a Mayoral reception hosted on the first day of the conference.delegates from eThekwini

and provincial government also attended the conference to ensure continued quality healthcare would be provided to KwaZulu-Natal residents.Minister of Health, dr Aaron

Motsoaledi delivered the

Committee, Councillor Zama Sokhabase, representing eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede, welcomed delegates at the opening ceremony.She said the conference

brought together leaders in healthcare to discuss patient centred healthcare. “Thank you for choosing durban to host this conference. I urge delegates to experience all the City has to offer, including the warmth of the people, rich culture and cuisine and beautiful beaches.”dr Erik Normann, IHF

President thanked everyone who worked hard to make the event possible.deputy City Manager for

Community and Emergency Services dr Musa Gumede said while the Municipality doesn’t have hospitals, what was learnt during the conference would be used in dealing with patients at Municipal clinics.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and International Hospital Federation President Dr Erik Normann with nurses at a stand in the exhibition hall at the three day IHF Congress.

By-laW enforceMent operations on illegal trucking BusinessHEEdING the call from residents for the City to be more stringent towards freight companies and heavy goods vehicle drivers who continue to disregard by-laws, the City’s Metro Police unit issued more than 100 contravention fines and fined an illegal business repairing truck tyres in a residential area.Metro Police Superintendent,

Anand Maharaj said the operation was one of the biggest the City has held, with Metro Police officers stationed in strategic areas.“We focused on three main

regions, the central region, which encompasses Bayhead and surrounding areas. We had officers in the north in areas such as uThongathi, Phoenix and Verulam, and one roadblock was in the

south region and this covered areas such as Clairwood and Chatsworth,” he said.Maharaj said the operation

yielded excellent results.“We charged 20 drivers

who failed to produce proper documentation required

for drivers operating heavy goods vehicles. Ten drivers were charged for driving without valid licences, some for driving with expired licences and the rest had no professional driving permits,” he said.

Maharaj said other offences included driving with defective lights, breaks, indicators and stop lights.Maharaj said the City was

receiving more complaints from residents and motorists regarding the blatant disregard of by-laws by heavy goods vehicle drivers. He said in order to combat this scourge, more roadblocks would be conducted.The City continues to

regularly conduct similar law enforcement operations in residential areas, where truck companies have been found operating illegally and making use of residential roads, damaging roads and pavements.Maharaj said in those cases

contravention fines have been served on the transgressors.

Metro Police issued more than 100 traffic fines in the south, north and central regions where they had received complaints from residents and motorists regarding by-law non-compliance by heavy goods vehicle drivers.

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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, Charmel Payet,

Nonduduzo Ngcongo, Vuyo Ndlovu and Vukile Mbata.

DEsIGN AND LAyouT: Sandile Sokhela

Signature event to booSt Durban’S touriSm SeCtor anD eConomy

VISITOrS are beginning to flock into the City for the highly-anticipated Essence Festival durban set to start on 8 November at durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium and Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC).This was revealed by

eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede, when she launched the six days countdown to the festival at the ICC on 2 November. The launch was to drum-up more hype around the festival which will be held in Africa for the first time. Gumede said the festival will

provide a unique experience and create a vibe in the City.“This signature event is

guaranteed to take the City’s economic status to another level as well as showcase and empower local talent

and entrepreneurs,” added Gumede.The six days festival which

will run until 13 November is expected to generate 3000 job opportunities, attract 60 000 visitors with over r230 million anticipated economic spin-off.Head of durban Tourism,

Phillip Sithole said: “This period will definitely be added to durban’s history because it will positively impact almost everyone in different ways.”Sithole revealed that the

City is expecting an influx of global delegates from the united States of America and 28 European union countries. He said they are also expecting visitors from over ten neighbouring countries.“We will utilise this platform

to showcase our unique product offerings and

City attractions to our key international source markets. Specialised tours have been arranged to give our delegates a first-hand and memorable durban experience,” said Sithole.He added that the festival will

complement the extensive work that has been done over the years to position durban on the international map. “Our prosperity is witnessed

by the number of global accolades we received and the economic returns such as the increase of sustained jobs created by the tourism sector,” added Sithole.Sithole said the festival will

intensify their efforts of taking durban to the world. The festival will start with a

powerful business conference at the ICC from 8 to 9

November. The business conferences

include revered business personalities such as Phuthi Mahanyele, Thina Maziya, and Ipileng Mkhari. Tickets can still be purchased at info@ikhono.co.zaThe conference will be

followed by The Women’s Economic Empowerment Breakfast Seminar which will take place on 10 November.The festival will close off the festivities with three music concerts, which are the Essence All Star Jazz, Essence All Star Music Festival and the Essence All Star Gospel. Tickets are still available at Computickets for all three concerts.For the full programme visit:

www.essencefestivaldurban.com

EThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede with local artists during the six days countdown to the Essence Festival durban. durban is abuzz with local and international visitors that have started flocking into the City for the festival.