Homes for April flood victims

THE Mayor, Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda recently gave an update of what the municipality has done since the advent of the April and May floods to relocate flood victims who were housed in mass care centres in the aftermath of the floods. 

The Mayor acknowledged that the relocation process has taken longer than anticipated. He also took the opportunity to apologise to people who still remain in community halls and reiterated the municipality's commitment to finalise this challenge with speed. 

The Mayor, said the municipality is working tirelessly to ensure that at least by the 15th of December all mass care centres must have been closed and people moved to more family-friendly accommodation. 

''It is our mission to create a safe and healthy environment for all our residents - ensuring they regain their dignity'', said the Mayor. He went on to say that from the original 120 mass care centers occupied by the April and May 2022 flood victims, 62 of these have been closed through various interventions. The remaining 58 mass care centres which are accommodating 3448 will be cleared by 15 December  2022. 

The municipality was able to close the 62 mass care centres through the following initiatives:

• Material supply
• Leasing private buildings
• Existing government buildings
• Building of Temporary Residential Units

In September, the municipality set a target of closing one mass care centre per week and through this intervention, the municipality been able to close mass care centres in Bester, Amaoti, Kloof, Ngoqokazi, Tongaat, Tehuis, Palmiet, Dassenhoek, La Mercy, Cutshwayo; Savvanha Park and Clermont Hall. 

Eight land parcels have also been identified to build permanent structures for flood victims and earthworks have begun with construction expected to be completed in 2024. In the meantime, flood victims will be accommodated in the buildings the Municipality has leased for 24 months. 

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R60 Million set aside for informal traders 

ETHEKWINI Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda has announced the the Municipality has approved a R60 million budget to build infrastructure for informal traders. 

The announcement was made during the second Informal Economy Indaba which took place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) recently. The Indaba outlined the Municipality's plans to support and recognise the important role the informal sector plays in growing eThekwini's economy and job creation. 

Mayor Kaunda also revealed that through a consultative process the Municipality has been able to complete the review of the Informal Economy Policy which was adopted by Council in September. The Policy will serve as a guide and support structure to the informal economy sector until 2028. 

Furthermore as part of the Municipality's continuous efforts to support informal businesses adversely affected by the floods earlier this year, Mayor Kaunda distributed vouchers ranging from R2 000 to R3 000 to around 150 informal businesses to purchase stock as part of the rebuilding process. 

''The handover is the first phase of the eThekwini Flood Relief Programme to benefit approximately 2 000 informal businesses ranging from fruits and vegetables, clothing and textile, as well as the automotive sector. This was made possible through our collaboration with the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) and Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA),'' added Mayor Kaunda.