EThEkwiniwEEklY BullETin

www.durban.gov.za

6 November 2015 [Issue 9]By 2030 ethekwini will be africa’s most caring and liveable city

“KeePING YOu IN tHe KNOW”

aN appeal has been made to all ethekwini residents to heed government’s call and conserve water as the drought in KwaZulu-

Natal worsens. the province was recently declared a

“disaster area” after a meeting between MeC for Cooperative Governance and traditional affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube together with all KZN Mayors.Since the drought started late last year,

the Municipality has implemented water restrictions in severely affected areas, most of which are in the northern parts of the City. the restrictions are to ensure that continuous water supply is maintained. Water tankers are being sent to affected areas.Mayor James Nxumalo said water loss as a

result of water theft and unreported water leaks remain a concern. “all residents are being encouraged to

be responsible citizens and implement water saving measures because every drop counts,” he said.the Municipality is reported to be losing

about 237 million litres a day, due to illegal water connection, vandalism and

leaks that are not reported timeously. KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu and Dube-Ncube are acutely aware of challenges faced by the Municipality and have supported the various projects and educational initiatives such as “War On Leaks” which are aimed at educating communities on water saving and to report water leaks.ethekwini Municipality has embarked on a number of drought awareness and water conservation roadshows to educate residents. a road show took place this week at Waterloo in Ward 58 to encourage residents to adopt water-saving habits. they were also given practical water saving tips to be used at home, at school and university or at work. ethekwini Water and Sanitation Community Liaison Offi cer Bongani Hlophe stressed the importance of reusing water. Hlophe also encouraged residents to take note of the water restriction schedules in affected areas which include Waterloo, Westbrook, Ndwedwe, Canelands, uthongathi and La Mercy. the water level at Hazelmere Dam which supplies parts of the north is at a low of 27.5 percent. residents are urged to allow water tankers

CiTY iNTeNsiFies WATeR CONseRVATiON CAMPAiGNs

to service all areas equally to ensure everyone receives water. the City further appeals to residents to use water sparingly and to cooperate with all implemented measures to save water.residents are urged to call 080 1313013

or email eservices@durban.gov.za to report any water problems, vandalism, water theft or leaks in their areas.

hazelmere Dam water levels stand at 27.5 percent. EThekwini Municipality has embarked on a number of water conservation campaigns to educate residents on ways to save water as the drought situation in the province worsens.

rESiDEnTS can PlaY ThEir ParT in Doing ThE Following:

• Protect Municipal staff and contractor working in your areas;

• Protect Municipal infrastructure;

• refrain from making illegal water connections and actively report people who connect illegally;

• report water leaks and burst pipes;

• repair any leaks at home and reduce water consumption;

• Make payments to the Municipality for services rendered.

2 eThekwini weekly BulleTin issue 9

www.durban.gov.za

EThEkwini aT Your SErvicEWater is life and a basic human right. the ethekwini Municipality strives to provide an efficient water service to all citizens including the indigent at no cost through various Council programmes. However, water resources in South africa are under tremendous pressure from a growing population, water wastage, ongoing development, pollution, wetland destruction, alien invasive plants and the effects of global warming. Despite the water shortage challenges the country faces, ethekwini continues to provide water to about 946 000 consumers.the Municipality manages

and maintains 327 storage facilities and delivers water via 98 pump stations and five purification works. The City continues to upgrade infrastructure, to ensure the sustainability of this scarce, yet vital resource.to ensure continuous

supply of water to the communities we serve, the Municipality has budgeted r5.9 billion for water services in the 2015/16 financial year. The City continuously implements new and innovative ways to provide services to residents and has been recognised through many awards. Water is essential and

ethekwini provides nine kilolitres of water free of charge to households with properties valued under r 250 000. this forms part of the City’s social package to assist the poorest of the poor and most vulnerable ethekwini residents.

From left arda Ermut, President of the invest Support and Promotion agency of Turkey, kaan Esener, ambassador of Turkey to South africa, vika khumalo, ambassador of South africa to turkey, ilker ayci, chairman of the Turkish airlines board and local businessman Thabani khumalo.

tHe launch of direct flights between Istanbul, turkey and Durban this week was only the beginning of a more profitable exchange between the two countries, delegates were told during the Bilateral Investment and trade Summit between turkey and South africa.turkish airlines inaugural

flight landed at King Shaka International airport this week amid much fanfare. Direct flights will be offered four times a week.the summit was held

today, 6 November 2015, at the Inkosi albert Luhthuli Convention Centre to further explore potential investment opportunities between the two countries.arda ermut, President of

Investment Support and Promotion agency of turkey said the opening of the direct route between the cities would promote partnerships in the business network. “attracting foreign investment

is one of our government’s main priorities. We believe turkey has great business opportunities for South africa and vice versa,” ermut said.also speaking at the summit

was chairman of the turkish airways Board, Ilker ayci who said it was a great honour to be in the beautiful city of Durban. “We received a genuine,

warm welcome when the first flight landed this week. We are delighted about the direct flight to the City. This is a great opportunity to discover business potential and investments while improving relations between the two countries,” ayci said.a special guest at the summit

was turkish ambassador to South africa Kaan esener who said South africa was a strategic partner for turkey as it was the gateway to Sub-Saharan africa.“I believe this new flight is

going to flourish,” he said.South african ambassador

to turkey Vika Khumalo said turkey’s largest investment was in KwaZulu-Natal which was a strong indication of their interest in further investment opportunities.“KwaZulu-Natal has huge

potential for exports and further opportunities between the two countries are real and can be achieved. We must continue to strengthen the relationship between the two countries to realise it,” he said.Turkish Airlines flying

directly to Durban is one of three airlines that will be flying directly to King Shaka International airport. the two other flights will be flying from Qatar and Zambia before the end of the year. this will have many positive spin-offs for the local economy. The new flights are expected to have a direct impact on tourism which will instill investor confidence. It would also encourage potential foreign direct investment because of this opportunity.

TuRKeY TO DuRBAN DiReCT FLiGHTs uNLOCKs iNVesTMeNT

OPPORTuNiTies

issue 9 eThekwini weekly BulleTin 3

www.durban.gov.za

Transnet national Ports authority is reconstructing the quay walls at Maydon wharf – the largest break bulk and dry bulk handling precinct in the Port of Durban covering 120 hectares of port land.

etHeKWINI Municipality and transnet hosted the african Ports evolution 2015 Conference this week, bringing key maritime stakeholders together to discuss Port issues and share knowledge and best practice to grow the economy. reducing transport costs,

investigating strategic alternatives, solutions and expansion, creating productive terminals and ports to boost operations were among the critical issues discussed during the three-day event held from 2-4 November 2015, at the Inkosi albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. Deputy Mayor Nomvuzo

Shabalala said hosting such events strengthen the City’s reputation as a business, lifestyle, sports and events capital. “the City’s partnership

with transnet National Ports authority serves as a driving force to spearhead the Port expansion and to use the Port as a catalyst to grow the City’s economy. this sustainable development approach strives to ensure that the needs of the local business and residential communities surrounding the

PORTs eVOLuTiON 2015 ADDResses PRODuCTiViTY AND eCONOMiC GROWTH

Port are met in a just and equitable way,” she said.Speaking at the conference,

Senior Operations Manager in the Port of Durban, Zola Nkowane, outlined transnet’s r1.6 billion Maydon Wharf port infrastructure project, which is the largest break bulk and dry bulk handling precinct in the Port of Durban covering 120 hectares of port land.the project aims to ensure

safe operations, meet the

needs of larger vessels calling at the port and enable increased throughputs.“the Maydon Wharf

infrastructure upgrade forms an integral part of transnet’s Market Demand Strategy which aims to enable the effective, efficient and economic functioning of an integrated port system to promote economic growth,” said Nkowane.Durban Chamber of

Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Officer, Dumile Cele encouraged delegates at the conference to assist in evolving african ports and reduce unemployment. the conference also featured

innovation and sustainability strategies, exhibitions and workshops to showcase new technology offering invaluable and unique products and solutions in the maritime industry.

KWaZuLu-NataL and China’s Guangdong Province have forged even stronger ties which will see both provinces working together to promote each other’s economy and tourism sector. a Memorandum of understanding between the two provinces was signed today, 6 November 2015, at the Southern Sun elangeni Hotel during the South africa (KwaZulu-Natal) - China (Guangdong) economic and tourism Cooperation Conference. Last year President Jacob

Zuma and his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping reviewed bilateral relations between the two nations to ensure that the strategic relationship is strengthened and development in South africa and africa is prioritised. a speech read on behalf of

KZN economic and tourism MeC Michael Mabuyakhulu welcomed the International trade delegation from China. Mabuyakhulu said the partnership would strengthen economic and tourism growth in the province.

“KwaZulu-Natal is rich in culture and diversity. We are very excited about this visit and partnership and we look forward to accessing various business opportunities between the two provinces.” Mabuyakhulu described

KZN as a sophisticated and promising market.Consul General of People’s

republic of China in Durban, Wang Jianzhou, said Guangdong is China’s largest export and import of goods. “Guangdong’s foreign trade accounts for more than a quarter of Chinese trade,” he

said, adding that the economic cooperation would yield positive financial results for both provinces. Guangdong had decided to

partner with KZN because it is a popular destination for people in that province, said Jianzhou. “KZN is a strong province in South africa. about 38 percent of Chinese tourists that come to KwaZulu-Natal are from Guangdong. that is why we believe that KwaZulu-Natal is an important destination for China going global,” he said.

KZN FORGES STRONGER LINKS WITH CHINA

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 Mbonambi

wriTErS: Nondumiso Mathomane, Charmel Payet, Ziyanda Dlembula &

Mandisi Hlatshwayo • DESign anD laYouT: Zakhe Ntshingila

uPcoMing EvEnTS

ciTY ProuD To hoST 4Th BricS inTErnaTional coMPETiTion conFErEncE

etHeKWINI is proud to be partnering to host the 4th BrICS International Competition Conference in Durban. It is the first time the conference is being held in South africa.the conference is being

hosted in partnership with South africa’s competition authorities, the Competition Commission and Competition tribunal. the two-day event will be held from 12 to 13 November 2015 at the Inkosi albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. the BrICS International

Competition Conference takes place every two years and rotates among the BrICS competition authorities. The first three conferences took place in russia, China and India respectively. economic Development Minister ebrahim Patel, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu, MeC of economic Development, tourism and environmental affairs Mike Mabuyakhulu and ethekwini Mayor Cllr James Nxumalo will speak at the conference.the BrICS conference will

be preceded by two events namely, the Joint Lecture Workshops on competition on 10 November 2015 and the 9th annual Conference on Competition Law, economics and Policy on 11 November 2015.

tHe ethekwini transport authority (eta) has wrapped up National transport Month on a high note by adding another feather in its cap. Gugu Langa a data capturer

from the rank Management Systems, which falls under eta, walked away with the best female employee of the year during the National Minister’s excellence awards in transport.the awards, which were held

in Bloemfontein on Friday, 30 October 2015, were attended by National transport Minister Dipuo Peters who was joined by senior national and provincial officials, key stakeholders in the transport sector and sponsors of the awards. Langa, who was still basking in the glory of being crowned the overall best female employee in the transport sector, said she was humbled by the accolade. “I’m proud of myself and I feel very motivated,” said Langa, who beat four other nominees from across the country. Her duties include capturing information of all public transport operators, including

taxis and buses. She is also heading up the driving school project, which seeks to regulate driving schools. Her job, said Langa, is more than a “9am to 5pm job” but a calling. “I really do love and enjoy what I do. I always strive to put our customers first. To me they are not just numbers, but people. that is why I always exceed expectations,” she said. the annual awards seek to

recognise and reward excellent performance by transport officials from National and Provincial Departments as well

as transport public entities and Municipalities. there were seven categories, including best female employee of the year, best male and best manager. Speaking at the awards, Peters

congratulated all the recipients. She said the ceremony does not only celebrate and rewards excellence, but also showcases and promotes transport’s most progressive and innovative individuals. “the shortlist of nominations

demonstrates the innovation and dedication that exist throughout our transport team,” said Peters. Langa’s boss Shadrack

Nxumalo applauded her for the award, urging her to continue with the stellar work and serving the residents of ethekwini.this is the second award eta has won in two weeks after they scooped the best public transport provider in KwaZulu-Natal award during the PMr.africa KZN Province Business excellence awards last week.

eTHeKWiNi sCOOPs TOP TRANsPORT AWARD

gugu langa

EThekwini Transport authority has been recognised both provincially and nationally for being the best public transport provider in kwaZulu-natal and its employee was named the best female employee in the transport sector respectively.