EThekwini adopts R55.5 billion budget for the next financial year

THE Municipality approved a R55.5 billion annual budget for the 2022/23 Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework, at a full sitting of Council on 31 May 2022. EThekwini Mayor, Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda took the opportunity to thank all political parties for their valuable inputs to this final budget. ''The cooperation and constructive engagements that our colleagues have shown throughout this process, demonstrated clearly that we are all committed to taking this Municipality forward. It also underscores the importance of putting aside our political differences when dealing with issues that impacts on peoples lives,'' he said. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BUDGET

There are no changes that have been made to the total budget of R55.4 billion for the 2022/2023 financial year. The only changes made are between departments to meet the urgent priorities the Municipality is currently facing. This comprises an operating budget of R49.8 billion and a capital budget of 5.6 billion. There have also been no further changes to the proposed tariff increases. It should be noted that tariff and rates increases are the lowest for years as the Municipality sincerely appreciates the plight of residents.

The increases are as follows:

• There is no increase for residential property rates. Instead, the Municipality is happy to announce that the rate randage for residential has been decreased by 10% due to the implementation of the new valuation rolls.
• The water tariff increase for residential is 5.9% and 9% for business. This is to secure the water supply of the Municipality and ensure that infrastructure is maintained to reduce water losses. 
• The electricity tariff increase is 7.47%. This is against an Eskom increase of 9.61%.
• The sewerage tariff increase for residential is 5.9% and 9% for business.
• The refuse tariff increase is 4.5% for residential customers and 7.9% for business.

''As a caring and responsive City, we want to assure residents and businesses of eThekwini that we have worked very hard to keep the tariffs and rates increases as low as possible'' said the Mayor. He said Municipalities are currently facing a difficult fiscal environment. These tariff increases represent an appropriate balance between the interest of poor households and other customers while ensuring the financial sustainability of the Municipality. 

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Scooter empowerment initiative to address youth unemployment

HOMELESS people are among youth who have been given a new lease on life courtesy of the eThekwini's Scooter Empowerment Initiative programme. The 27 young people who are housed at the Safer Cities shelters have joined the programme which aims to create job opportunities for the youth. The programme also seeks to ensure local youth benefit from delivery opportunities in the fast-growing e-commerce sector. Martin Malindi, who used to live at a shelter, applauded the Municipality for being inclusive of homeless people. ''All we ever wanted was a second chance in life and I got it through the Scooter Empowerment Initiative programme. Since joining the programme, I haven't looked back,'' he said. The initiative, which is a partnership between the Municipality and private sector partners, was launched by eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda in June. The initiative trains youth, at no cost, to drive scooters and facilitates access to market for them. Scooters are also provided at a subsidised rate. During his keynote address Mayor Kaunda said: ''We are delighted to launch this important initiative during Youth Month. So far, the programme has trained and facilitated access to market for 200 young people who are currently working. In the next six months, the initiative anticipates increasing the number of beneficiaries to 500. We want to thank our partners Lularides, Uber Eats, Catalyx and Vodacom for contributing to youth empowerment and development.'' Mayor Kaunda said the initiative is a unique model as it also offers opportunities to homeless people. During the launch, the top eight achievers of the programme were awarded smartphones courtesy of Vodacom. The phones have an app that enables them to sell airtime, electricity etc. The overall winner took home a laptop. The day ended with a parade of the programme's participants on their scooters.