ETHEKWInIWEEKLy BULLETIn

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

“kEEPInG yOU In ThE knOw”

etheKWini Wins top afriCan aWard

a DEEP desire by eThekwini Municipality’s Senior Manager in Business Continuity to ensure that the City is resilient and remains

relevant in the lives of Durban’s 3.5 million residents has helped the Municipality win a prestigious award. The City’s Senior Manager in Business

Continuity, Justice nepfumbada won the Continuity and Resilience Professional Public Sector category at the Business Continuity Institute (BCI) annual africa awards. held at the hilton hotel Sandton in

Johannesburg on 9 September, the awards recognise individuals and organisations who have excelled in their fi eld throughout the year. The BCI is the world’s leading institute for Business Continuity professionals.Speaking after returning from receiving

the award in Johannesburg, an excited nepfumbada said the recognition meant that the City is doing an excellent job in contributing towards developing methods and instruments to be used in the public

sector. “I have a strong feeling that the

contribution that we are making will not only shape how our Municipality manage its continuity capability, but will further inform endeavours on government’s system continuity and resilience. I have a deep desire to ensure that

eThekwini Municipality is resilient and remains relevant in the midst of the ever changing lives our communities. The work that we are doing will contribute immensely in ensuring that the gains we have made since the dawn of democracy are preserved in basic services and ensure that we build and maintain a continuity system that supports the Municipality in attaining the aspirations of our people,” he said. City Manager, Sibusiso Sithole

congratulated nepfumbada, saying the City will have to lead from the front on matters of continuity. “we are determine to walk the path to

ensure a resilient Municipality,” he said. The BCI africa awards consist of nine

categories, eight of which are decided by a panel of judges with the winner of the fi nal category being voted for by industry peers. The awards are one of seven regional

awards hosted by the BCI, which culminate in the annual global awards held in november during the Institute’s annual conference in London, England. all winners of a BCI regional award are automatically entered into the global awards.asked about his chances of winning the

global award, a modest nepfumbada said he never thinks about awards in his line of work. “It was just something that came along the way,” he said. David James-Brown, Chairman of the

BCI said business continuity is a growing industry across africa. “The standard of submissions received

has shown just how far it has come in recent years. as our organisations face an increasing number of challenges, it is vital that they become more resilient and face those challenges,” he said.

Justice nepfumbada (centre) receiving his award on behalf of eThekwini Municipality from Louise Theunissen (left), who presented it on behalf of the sponsor Ernst and young, and David James Brown (right), Chairman of the Business Continuity Institute.

16 September 2016 [Issue 50]

2 eThekwini weekly BulleTin issue 50

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City leadership foCused on ensuring prudent use of publiC funds In a bid to ensure the effective use of public funds and enhance accountability, eThekwini Municipality’s full Council sitting on 13 September, approved the merger of the Finance and Procurement Committee with the Executive Committee (Exco). The move, despite fierce

objection from some members of opposition parties, will in fact strengthen Mayor Zandile Gumede’s political oversight and guidance over the fiscal as well as financial affairs of the Municipality. “as Mayor of eThekwini, I am

charged with the responsibility of monitoring and, to the extent provided by the Municipal Finance Management act, overseeing the exercise of responsibilities assigned to the accounting officer and chief financial officer. These will be my tasks on a daily basis,” she said. The Municipal Finance

Management act further states that Gumede must take all reasonable steps to ensure that

EThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede has pledged to play a stronger oversight role in the financial affairs of the City.

the Municipality performs its constitutional and statutory functions within the limits of the Municipality’s approved budget. Gumede’s role also includes

providing political guidance over the budget process and priorities that must guide the preparation of a budget. Gumede also chairs the

Executive Committee where all reports pertaining to service delivery and the prudent use

of public funds are presented before being tabled for adoption before full Council. Clarifying the reason behind

merging the Finance and Procurement Committee with the Executive Committee, Gumede stressed that the powers and functions assigned to the Mayor must be exercised by the Mayor in consultation with the Executive Committee. “I cannot delegate the powers

I have been given by the people

of eThekwini to anyone else. I will be driving the process very closely to make sure that I deliver on the promises I made to the people of eThekwini,” said Gumede. Gumede added that ratepayers

should not be misled into believing that the Finance and Procurement Committee merging with Exco will perpetuate corruption when it will in fact ensure the prudent use of Council funds. Gumede, who came prepared

to clarify any issues where Council members needed clarity, explained in detail what her role entails. This was a great boost for Council since it indicates that the Mayor has a firm and unwavering commitment to service delivery and clean governance.Deputy Mayor Fawzia Peer,

who previously chaired the Finance and Procurement Committee, said: “The Executive Committee will be central in ensuring that the City once again achieves a clean audit,” she said.

City launChes reCyCling station at sea WorldEThEkwInI Municipality through its Energy Office launched a new interactive recycling station at uShaka Marine world on 16 September, an initiative aimed at encouraging visitors to the theme park to recycle their waste and to stop litter from polluting the ocean.Learners from addington

Primary School were invited to the launch and were treated to an exciting seal show where the trained seals demonstrated how easy it was to pick up trash and place it into dustbins.In the key-note address

Deputy Mayor Fawzia Peer explained to the learners the importance of recycling paper, plastics, bottles and cardboard which can be reused to make other goods – instead of ending

up in the ocean.“In 2015 the City’s Energy

Office in partnership with the South african association for Marine Biological Research started working together on a project aimed at the thousands of families and school learners visiting the park to make recycling a fun activity. The leadership of eThekwini

Municipality has recognised the

serious challenges that climate change poses for our citizens and is actively committed to mitigating climate change through recycling,” said Peer.UShaka Sea world Educator

Jone Porter said that about 130 000 learners from around the country including neighbouring african countries visit the Education Centre

annually. “we are privileged to be in a position where we interact with children and create awareness on the importance of recycling. Behavioural patterns can be taught and when children see a seal picking up trash, the message hits home and it’s important to teach young ones valuable lessons about environmental issues,” said Porter.Grade 5 learner from

addington Primary School, Lukaya Besse admitted that he had not placed much effort in recycling before.“But after listening and understanding that plastic kills innocent sea creatures, I’m going to be smart and recycle,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Fawzia Peer joined Addington Primary School learners to launch a recycling station at uShaka Marine World.

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issue 49 eThekwini weekly BulleTin 3

dr debra roberts to deliver prestigious barbara Ward leCture

dreams Programme determined to fight hiV infeCtion among youthREDUCInG the rate of hIV among adolescent girls and young women was the focal point of discussion during a two-day workshop aimed at empowering the women so that they can become the authors of their own destiny.The workshop, held from

13 to 14 august at the Pavillion hotel, on the Durban beachfront, was well received by community based organisations and non-government organisations who attended the fruitful sessions. The programme was organised by Dreams, a non-government organisation, in partnership with the City. The organisation Dreams, is

supported by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for

aIDS Relief, the joint United nations Programme on hIV and aIDS (UnaIDS), Centres for Disease Control and the South african Government. Programme coordinator,

Zamangwane Makhaye, said the goal of the programme was to empower local women and provide leadership to young women. “we want to help them become determined, resilient and empowered women. Ultimately, we want to create an aIDS-free generation,” she said. Makhaye said the Dreams

programme aims to reach vulnerable adolescent girls, young women and their sexual partners. The programme also seeks to reduce new hIV infections in girls and women

aged between 15 to 24-years-old by 25 percent by the end of 2016. “This programme will come

to an end in 2017 and by that time we want to have achieved a 40 percent reduction on new hIV infections in adolescent girls and young women aged between 15 to 24-years-old” added Makhaye. Operation Sukuma Sakhe

coordinator Sikhumbuzo ndaba, who was among a number of government officials who attended the two-day programme, praised the programme saying it has also empowered them as officials of the City and improved their knowledge on matters pertaining to hIV and aIDS. “The lives of adolescent girls

and young women will change for the better as they are going to be empowered through this programme,” she said. Other government

departments that were part of the programme included Community Development workers from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional affairs and Community Mobilisers from eThekwini Municipality’s Community Participation and action Support Unit. The organisation Dreams,

will also be working closely with government departments which include the Department of Social Development, Department of Education and community based organisations in the eThekwini region.

ThE CITy’S newly appointed head of Sustainable and Resilient Initiatives, Dr Debra Roberts, has been given the honour of delivering the prestigious Barbara ward Lecture by the International Institute of Environment and Development (IIED) in London on 11 October. The Barbara ward lecture honours outstanding women in development.Roberts, who was previously

the Deputy head of the Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department, has blazed an international trail for her climate change mitigation and adaptation work, becoming a world renowned and highly respected figure in the field. She is currently the Co-Chair

of working Group II for the Sixth assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This makes her the first and only local government official to fulfil this role.

Roberts also co-founded the Durban adaptation Charter, which commits local governments to building climate change resilience which has been signed by over 1 000 local government bodies in 45 countries.Together with her team, she

has catapulted eThekwini into

the limelight by implementing innovative projects such as Durban Metropolitan Open Space Systems, the Buffelsdraai reforestation project and the landfill gas to electricity project.Roberts said being invited

to deliver the lecture is yet another recognition of the global impact of the work

being undertaken by eThekwini Municipality. “as nation states get ready to approve the new Urban agenda which is the urbanisation roadmap for the next 20 years at the habitat III Conference, it is good to know that Durban’s voice continues to be influential in the debate about the future of the world’s cities,” she said. Drawing on the City’s

experiences and following in the activist footsteps of Barbara ward, Roberts said she will talk about the critical role of local urban practitioners in implementing and expanding the new Urban agenda. The Barbara ward Lecture

series celebrates IIED’s founder, Barbara ward, who was among the earliest advocates of sustainable development. The IIED organises lectures

by the current generation of outstanding women in development in honour of ward’s pioneering work in sustainable development.

Head of Sustainable and Resilient Initiatives, Dr Debra Roberts, has been given the honour of delivering the prestigious Barbara Ward Lecture by the International Institute of Environment and Development in London.

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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, Sohana Singh,

nonduduzo ngcongo, Themba khumalo and Jessie Singh

DESIGn AnD LAyoUT: Sandile Sokhela

LOCaL talented gospel and traditional music group, Ithimba Le afrika which is off to perform at the white house in america were given a hero’s send-off by eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cllr Zandile Gumede. as part of its commitment towards youth empowerment, the City sponsored the Umlazi group’s tour. The City’s commitment in empowering youngsters and developing the creative industry was reinforced on 13 September, when the Municipality hosted a send-off function for local talented music group, Ithimba Le afrika which will perform in the United States of america.The function, which was held at Inkosi albert Luthuli International Convention Centre was attended by eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede who was accompanied by the City’s Executive Committee members.The 16 member male gospel and traditional group from Umlazi will perform at the white house in washington, america from 15 to 19 September.Conveying a powerful motivational message to the group, Gumede said they must showcase Durban’s talent abroad. “This is your lifetime opportunity to be known around the world. I hope that in no time you will be touring the world and be City ambassadors like Ladysmith Black Mambazo,” she said.Gumede described the tour to america as a proud Durban success story as the group’s talent was discovered last year during one of the City’s events.“During my inauguration speech, I made it clear that I want to empower youngsters especially those living in townships and rural areas.

LOCAL MUSIC GROUPS TO FLY THE CITY’S FLAG HIGH

Local talented gospel and traditional music group, Ithimba Le Afrika which is jetting off to perform at the White House in the United States of America, were given a hero’s send-off by eThekwini Municipality Mayor Zandile Gumede.

That is why we are here today pledging our continued support to this township group,” she said.Gumede added that the creative industry has grown over the years and has become a key player in creating employment, growing the economy and marketing the City.“as part of the City’s ‘Take

Durban to the world’ marketing strategy, the City provided the group with tracksuits and backpacks branded with the Municipality’s logo. This will help fly the City’s flag abroad, said Gumede.Sandile nala, who is the group’s secretary said they owe their success to the Municipality who exposed their talent by hiring them in various

Municipal events.“we are grateful to all the sponsors who made this trip a success. we are very excited about this opportunity because not many artists get a chance to perform at the white house. we promise that we will do our City proud,” added nala.Meanwhile, another local group, the Clermont Choir has been hand-picked to represent the City in a developmental arts project in Thohoyandou, Limpopo from 22 to 26 September.The choir which is the only kwaZulu-natal group to take part in this developmental workshop was approached by alfred nevhutanda Foundation patron, Professor alfred nevhutanda. Speaking during a breakfast send-off hosted by the Municipality at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 15 September, nevhutanda who is renowned for his work in the arts said the choir’s visit to Thohoyandou would be a developmental effort to inspire the people living in rural parts of that area.head of Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit, Thembinkosi ngcobo and head of Business Support and Tourism, Phillip Sithole said they supported the choir’s determination to go beyond their personal circumstances and make it in the arts sector.ngcobo and Sithole pledged to assist more local artists who wanted to showcase their craft outside the City.Making reference to the upcoming Durban edition of the Essence Festival, Sithole said the festival which would see local and international acts performing together on one stage would assist in promoting more local artists.

EThekwini Chief Whip nelly nyanisa, senior eThekwini Municipal officials and Professor Alfred Nevhutanda CEO of a foundation named after him bid the Clermont Choir farewell before their journey to Limpopo province.