The Auditor General of SA gives uShaka Marine World a Clean Administration

 

By Fred Felton | Dec. 19, 2024

The Auditor General of South Africa has given uShaka Marine World a clean audit. This makes the Durban entertainment venue a model of clean administration for the 2023/2024 financial year.

This achievement is evidence of how uShaka Marine World has navigated difficult challenges through a difficult socio-economic climate, showing how resilient it is and has the ability to adapt and succeed.

‘’Despite a challenging year and labour issues, the entity is glad to receive this affirmation from the Auditor General. This accomplishment reflects our collective commitment to transparency, accountability, good governance, and financial administration,’’ said uShaka Marine World’s Board Chairperson, Professor Thandi Nzama.

uShaka Marine World has seen a steady activity of visitors this December. | Photo: Fred Felton

‘’I would like to thank fellow colleagues, management, and staff for your tireless efforts that have made this achievement possible. Our sincerest gratitude goes out to the shareholder, eThekwini Municipality for the continued support that has contributed to the ongoing success of the entity. To our stakeholders at large, thank you for collaborating with uShaka Marine World,’’ added Professor Thandi Nzama.

With 2024 nearing a close uShaka Marine World has seen a steady activity with visitors from all over enjoying the theme park.

‘’We would like to wish our stakeholders and guests a blessed festive season,’’ concluded Professor Thandi Nzama.

Furniture Making Programme Praised For Creating Jobs

 

Nonduduzo Ngcongo

Dr. Mimmy Gondwe, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training led a delegation to the Umkhumbane Entrepreneurship Support Centre in Cato Manor to assess the Furniture Manufacturing and Upholstery Skills Development Training Programme. She was accompanied by Ward 29 Councillor Bhekisisa Mngadi and the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (FP&MSETA) CEO Dr. Felleng Yende on the visit on 29 November.

Dr Mimmy Gondwe, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training with Ward 29 Councillor Bhekisisa Mngadi were impressed with the high standard of work produced by participants of the Furniture Making Skills Development Programme at the Umkhumbane Entrepreneurship Support Centre.                        Picture: Saneli Mthalane

The oversight visit aimed to evaluate the impact of the ongoing programme, which has been providing essential skills in furniture production. After a walkabout through the centre, Deputy Minister Gondwe was left highly impressed with the high-quality, beautiful furniture pieces created by the 60 trainees currently enrolled in the programme.

“What I saw today is phenomenal and inspiring. From the stories told by beneficiaries, I can confidently state that skills development is the key to stimulate job creation and end hunger in communities,” she remarked.

The Deputy Minister also emphasised the importance of partnerships, calling on the private sector to support the initiative. "I have a passion to see women empowered, especially young women. What excites me most about this programme is that most of the beneficiaries are women, they are leading in what used to be a male-dominated sector," she added.

The programme, now in its sixth year, has trained over 150 beneficiaries, many of whom are youth and women. Of these, about 70 percent have gone on to start their own businesses and employed at least three people. One notable success story is Matho Mathenjwa, who founded Feel in Heaven Design. After receiving funding through the provincial government Operation Vula Programme once she completed her tarining, Mathenjwa grew her business and now employs over 10 people. She expressed her gratitude for the assistance which helped her to grow her business.

“I received R200 000 which was a breakthrough and helped me kickstart my business and grow it to where it is today,” she said.

Councillor Mngadi praised the programme, noting that it aligns with the City's goal to empower communities through entrepreneurship.

This year, the programme is training 60 new participants, with 30 completing a three-month course and 30 enrolled in a one-year learnership. The initiative, a collaboration between eThekwini Municipality’s Business Support Unit, FP&MSETA, and My Space Academy, is helping foster job creation and self-employment opportunities.

City's festive season safety plans announced

 

City’s festive season safety plans announced

Gugu Mdlalose

Durban is open for business and remains Africa’s playground reiterated eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba when he launched the City’s festive season management plan recently at uShaka Marine World.

Launching this year's festive season management plan, eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba said the Metro Police is working with various law enforcement agencies to maintain high visibility at all tourism sites and areas that have been identified as crime hotspots.  Picture: THULI DLAMINI

While holidaymakers have already started to arrive in eThekwini, the City has curated an exceptional line-up of events and experiences that perfectly blend its pristine beaches, lively nightlife, and rich cultural heritage.

As part of delivering a safe and memorable festive season, Mayor Xaba said the Metro Police is working with law enforcement agencies including the South African Police Service, the Road Traffic Inspectorate, and private security companies to maintain high visibility at all tourism sites and areas that have been identified as crime hotspots. This is a strategic collaboration between the City and private tourism stakeholders with the unwavering support of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG).

Mayor Cyril Xaba said road safety is a key component of ensuring a peaceful and joyful holiday season.

“Our law enforcement officers will clamp down on drinking and driving as well as reckless behaviour on roads. Law enforcement operations, including multidisciplinary roadblocks, will be conducted throughout the City to combat all forms of criminality. To control traffic on the beach, certain roads leading to the beachfront will be access controlled. The park and ride facility will be available at no cost every 30 minutes throughout the festive season,” he said.

As part of heightened security, an additional 500 new Metro Police officers fresh from training will be deployed to increase police visibility both on the road and in communities. This comes as the City recently procured over 170 high performance vehicles for the Metro Police to patrol.

Mayor Xaba said other specialised units will be on horsebacks and bicycles at various tourism sites, assisted by CCTV camera monitoring and surveillance.

In terms of beach safety, for the easy identification of children, the City has procured 200 000 armbands with seven tents erected along the beachfront to accommodate children who get separated from their parents. A overnight facility for separated children has also been secured.

“In addition, the City is finalising the recruitment of 540 seasonal workers who will be deployed to various tourist destinations. These include 135 litter pickers and 104 beach guides who will be stationed across the various City beaches to help visitors. An additional 105 pool attendants will be deployed in various swimming pools to ensure the safety of bathers,” Mayor Xaba added.

He said the City will continue to monitor and conduct weekly assessment of beach water quality, highlighting that there are also over 40 swimming pools open in various parts of the City for the public to enjoy.

“We are confident of bumper festive season this December and visitors must be assured that apart from beaches, there are many other attractions and hidden germs throughout the City,” Mayor Xaba concluded.

Beach water quality status can be viewed on www.durban.gov.za/BeachStatus

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Spaza shop registration blitz amid ongoing citywide tuckshop inspections

Zimbili Mazibuko

To ensure full compliance with national regulations, eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba is spearheading on-site tuck-shop registrations blitz across the City. As the national campaign to ensure tuck-shop compliance gains momentum, the City is urging tuck-shop owners to register their businesses ahead of the 13 December deadline set by national government. The City has been inundated with enquiries from tuck-shop owners eager to comply with the registration requirements. To address these concerns, workshops led by the City’s Business Licensing Unit have already visited UuMazi and KwaMashu, with a planned visit to Magaba Community Hall in Hammarsdale scheduled for 12 December.

The City's health teams during a spaza shop inspection as part of ongoing efforts to ensure compliance.  Picture: NANDI NGIDI

The registration blitz are taking place parallel to the ongoing inspections by the City’s Health Unit’s teams as they are actively conducting workshops to educate business owners on the legal requirements for food premises, including spaza shops. A recent joint workshop, led by the Health Unit and Business Support Unit in the Nazareth area, attracted over 100 business owners and landlords. The session, which focused on the legal requirements for food premises, was lauded as highly informative by attendees. Most spaza shops were found selling expired food items, illegal cigarettes, illegal pesticides, counterfeit foods and had a lack of proper food storage and hand and dishwashing facilities. At some spaza shops, owners were found to be sleeping inside their business premises.

Acting Head of Health Dr. Phelelani Sosibo, highlighted the extensive efforts of the teams visiting various subdistricts to provide crucial compliance information to spaza shop owners and tenants. “Our Environmental Health Practitioners are diligently conducting law enforcement inspections of tuck-shops in both townships and suburbs. They are also verifying food item labels to ensure supplier details are visible and expiry dates are current, confirming the food is safe for consumption. Some tuck-shops have been fined for operating without business licenses and for not having fire extinguishers,” said Sosibo.

Sosibo said it is important that the public know their rights and take precautions to ensure their safety when purchasing food products. The teams are also visiting schools to educate school children and vendors on food safety requirements. Recent visits to Wyebank Primary School and Ekujabuleni Primary in KwaDabeka township included surveys with school vendors to assess their knowledge of food labeling and to gather information about their product suppliers.

The City’s proactive measures are not only aimed at ensuring compliance but also at enhancing food safety standards across eThekwini. As the 13 December deadline approaches, tuck-shop owners are encouraged to register to avoid penalties and contribute to a safer food environment for all residents.

The public is requested to familiarise themselves with the following regulations:

Best Before: Applies to foods that do not require refrigeration (canned goods, rice, pasta, cereal, biscuits)

Sell By: Applies to the date by which it should leave the store, but will still be safe for a reasonable period after.

Use By: Generally, applies to meat, dairy or any other product that requires refrigeration.

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Anti-Fraud Awareness for Durban

 

By Fred Felton | Dec. 3, 2024

The City is on a mission to root out all forms of fraud and corruption.

‘’We are here to ensure that eThekwini Municipality is run ethically. Whenever you see any wrongdoing you come to our office to report it,’’ said Mr Thabani Mgenge, Manager: Fraud and Prevention at the City Integrity and Investigations Unit of eThekwini Municipality.

The eThekwini Council resolved to establish the City Integrity and Investigations Unit (CIIU) in line the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996), mainly S195 which provides that public administration must be governed by democratic values and principles, including the promotion and maintenance of a high standard of professional ethics. This provision applies to government, including municipalities.

There are a wide variety of examples of maladministration, fraud and corruption.

Here are just some of them:

Examples of Maladministration:

• Any act or omission by an official which has an impact of infringing upon another person's rights.
• Failure by management to adequately monitor compliance with procedures and policies in the interaction between the administration and customers. 
• The violation of human rights.
• Abuse of power by officials. 

Examples of fraud and corruption: 

• Giving or offering to give someone in position of power, gratification to act in a certain manner. Accepting or giving anything of material value in order to obtain undue favour. 
• Misuse of Municipal resources for self-enrichment, e.g. abuse of council vehicle. 
• Misappropriation or theft of funds (embezzlement), goods or other assets.
• Failure to disclose private business interest. 
• Irregular allocation of low cost houses. 
• Illegal connection of water and electricity. 
• Creation of fictitious vendors. 
• Duplicate payments. 
• False or inflated invoices. 
• Ghost employees.

Complaints can be lodged at:

10^th Floor, Rennie House, 41 Margaret Mncadi Avenue, Durban

P.O. Box 5542, Durban, 4000

Phone: (031) 311 4002

Toll free: 0800 20 20 20

Email: ombuds@durban.gov.za

A Magical Season Awaits You in Durban

 

By Fred Felton | Dec. 9, 2024

The red carpet is being rolled out for tourists visiting Durban. The City aims to boost tourism and ensure a safer, more magical experience for everyone.

Durban is ready to welcome you! | Photo: Supplied. 

The eThekwini Municipality in collaboration with South African Tourism, the Provincial Tourism and Film Authority, and various private sector partners went on a roadshow around Durban on the ‘’Tourism Takes the Lead Roadshow,’’ on 4 December. This was done under the theme ‘’Exploring Durban’s Travel Adventures Together,’’ this highlighted Durban’s readiness for visitors during the summer and festive time.

EThekwini Municipality has worked to improve its attractions. The improvements include a more stable beach water quality, swimming pools that are fully operational, a safer city strategy and improved maintenance standards.

There is so much to do in Durban including a ride on the Rickshaw Bus, a visit to Mitchell Park, enjoying the party scene at Florida Road, Segway Rides along the promenade, Gondola Rides and Rickshaw rides.

Segway Rides. One of the many things to do in Durban. | Photo: Supplied. 

The Metro Police, along with law enforcement agencies, making sure of high visibility at key tourist hotspots. There will also be access-controlled roads, a free park-and-ride system, and 500 newly trained Metro Police officers are being deployed and 170 high performance vehicles will be patrolling Durban to make sure visitors are safe.

At present there are 21 immaculate beaches open and 30 public swimming pools open, eThekwini Municipality will also monitor water quality throughout the festive season, making sure visitors enjoy Durban’s pristine beaches.

The Cube on Innes Road, Morningside. Features panoramic views of Durban. | Photo: Fred Felton. 

Visitors can also look forward to many events this festive season including the Durban Jazz Festival and the eagerly awaited Fact Durban Rocks New Year’s Eve celebration. There is always a festive buzz in Umhlanga and Florida Road has entertainment day and night.

‘’Florida Road is one of our vibrant culinary experiences,’’ noted Durban Tourism Deputy Head, Winile Mntungwa.

There will also be an economic boost this summer season, with projections for 2024/2025 estimating over 1.3 million visitors, a 75% occupancy rate, R2.5 billion in direct spending, and R6.3 billion added to GDP – which translates to more than 11,000 new jobs.

A new attraction on the beachfront is the Durban Beach Café which was opened on 22 November this year.

The festivities continued this year when the MSC Euribia visited Durban recently which announced the start of the 2024/2025 cruise season. The MSC Musica also brought a wave of international visitors to Durban recently. ‘’We are excited to welcome thousands of international travellers to the City,’’ noted eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba.

For more info visit: www.visitdurban.travel or follow them on social media @DBNTourism

EThekwini All Set to Host the 2024 SALGA Games

 

By Fred Felton | Nov. 25, 2024

The eagerly awaited 2024 SALGA Games are ready to be hosted by the City announced eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba, at an event at the Oceans Mall in uMhlanga on 22 November 2024.

Mayor Xaba confirmed that the City is ready to host the 2024 SALGA Games. | Photo: Supplied. 

‘’The City is going all out to ensure we host a successful SALGA Games. As back-to-back winners of the tournament, Team eThekwini will go out guns blazing and do their best,’’ said Mayor Xaba.

The Mayor noted that the tourism sector will receive a boost through the hosting of the Games, as will the temporary jobs being created.

Two shining stars have been produced through the Games, namely Alwande Mngwengwe who is now with Sekhukhune United and Ronnel Donnelly of the Western Cape United Women’s Team.

Mayor Xaba emphasised that, ‘’R40 million has been invested to upgrade and maintain our beaches and sporting facilities. We are only getting stronger as we work towards being an events and sporting capital.’’

There will be ten district municipalities at this year’s Games, along with eThekwini Municipality as they battle it out across 13 sporting codes from 5 to 8 December.

‘’Thank you to eThekwini for hosting us. Various sectors will benefit from these Games – and we promise to put our best foot forward. Youth development continues to take centre stage,’’ said KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Sports, Arts and Culture Mtomuhle Khawula.

He noted that this collaborative effort from all the role players should be applauded and continues to show unity across KwaZulu-Natal.

Highlights from Africa Maritime Investment Indaba

 

By Fred Felton | Nov. 18, 2024

The first Africa Maritime Investment Indaba was hosted by eThekwini Municipality and organised by the Africa Oceans Council in Durban recently over three days.

Mr Ross Volk, Managing Director of MSC Cruises South Africa spoke at the event. | Photo: Fred Felton

The event from 6 – 8 November allowed delegates to share knowledge and showed the delegates Africa’s growing capabilities in maritime manufacturing, conserving the environment and education within the maritime sector.

The Indaba was held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and various investment projects were discussed that could benefit from an estimated $3 trillion dollar economy with the potential for 800 000 jobs to be created at over 100 ports across Africa.

This event solidified the commitment of Durban to see itself as a smart port city region and a key player in Africa’s Blue Economy. National and global delegates gathered together to discuss investment in Africa’s booming maritime sector.

‘’We see this sector as pivotal for addressing the skills shortage, empowering coastal communities, and positioning Durban as a premier maritime hub,’’ said eThekwini Deputy Mayor Councillor Zandile Myeni.

Some of the key themes discussed at the Indaba included maritime trade finance, the development of energy offshore, aquaculture and conserving the ocean.

One of the eThekwini Municipality stands at Africa Maritime Investment Indaba. | Photo: Fred Felton

The discussions were in line with the eThekwini Inner City Regeneration Plan, which reinforced the vision of the Municipality to use the Blue Economy for creating jobs, building infrastructure and development.

A number of high-profile speakers guided the conversations during the themed conference sessions of the event.

The indaba also highlighted some key points to do with maritime trade in Africa. Around R780 billion bulk minerals are exported from South Africa.

‘’What are we doing to transport passengers? How long does it take us to get passengers to the battlefield sites? We’re investing in cruise terminals, we’re investing in infrastructure. Tourist attractions need to be near the ship terminals. We need to do more destination marketing. Africa is a place to come to,’’ noted Mr Ross Volk, Managing Director, MSC Cruises South Africa.

The delegates were also informed of how marine trade is doing in SADC countries.

‘’Botswana, Namibia and South Africa are high-income countries. Trade makes countries richer. Efficient ports with good connectivity are essential,’’ said Mr Jannie Roux of Bidvest South Africa.

There are also huge opportunities in the tourism sector which includes Eco-Tourism, Diving-Tourism and Archaeological-Tourism.

At the end of the Indaba it was very clear that Durban remains confident in its commitment to creating a strong and sustainable Blue Economy.