In March we celebrate Human Rights Month. The human rights
of all South Africans are protected by the Bill of Rights. Some of our human
rights include: Equality, Human Dignity, Labour relations, Access to
information, Freedom of expression and Education just to name a few.
Access to information and Education are just some of the
issues that Sizakala centres can assist you with. In case you are not familiar
with them. The Sizakala centres are education and information venues set up by
eThekwini Municipality to assist you with a variety of issues and matters.
Sizakala is an isiZulu word, which means, ‘Get Help’. This
program has at its core customer care and satisfaction. These are core of the
Batho Pele Principles. The eThekwini Municipality is committed to upholding the
principles of developmental Local Government and providing equitable access to
Government services to all its citizens, tourists and those that work in
eThekwini.
Below are just some of the matters that the Sizakala Centre
in Umhlanga can help you with:
Services Offered
1. Submission and approval of new house plans
2. General signage advertising of structure
3. Enforcement and prosecution
4. Rezoning of land
5. Sub division of land
6. Consolidation of land
7. General advertising and signage
8. Submission and approval of plans
9. Assessment of plans
10. Collection of plans
11. Buildings approvals
12. All enquiries related to planning
13. Cemetery servicers and Bookings for Red hill
Cemetery
14. Vacancy application forms, new application for rates
rebates, grant-in-aid forms
15. Commissioner of Oaths Servicers
16. Renewals of licenses disc
17. Changing of car ownership
18. Re-printing of approved existing plans
19. Issues proof of address
20. Any enquires related to ward 35community
21. Paying of all municipality bills
22. Muvo service
23. Printing of housing evaluation
24. E-careers servicers
25.
General enquires of water, electricity, DSW, Rates
Address:
327 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Umhlanga.
At
a recent media briefing we heard from Palesa Pitso, the Marketing Officer of
Sizakala Centres. She informed us that they manage 35 Sizakala Centres and they
intend to increase them as well.
‘’Now
you can pay your water and electricity accounts in various places around
eThekwini, you don’t need to come into town you can go to your nearest
centre,’’ said Ms Pitso.
Below
is a diagram courtesy of eThekwini Municipality showing you where the nearest
one to you is:
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You can also find a Sizakala centre in KwaMashu.
Below are the services they offer:
Services Offered
1. Municipal Service Complaints Handling
2. Cash Receipts
3. Traffic Fines
4. Independent Electoral Commission
5. Business Licensing
6. Housing
7. Rates Enquiries
8. Municipal Service Account Enquiries
9. Value Assist
10. Business Support
11. E-Careers
12. Councillors Support
13. Expanded Public Works Programme
14. Commissioner Of Oaths
15. Environment Health
16. INK Area Based Management
17. Community Participation
18.
Cemeteries
Address: Malandela & E1139, Ntombela Road, KwaMashu
Part of the Sizakala Centres are other smaller centres such
as the Thusong Centres, First Stop Shops and One Stop Shops.
Thusong Centres deal with services such as Government
services, Home Affairs, GCIS etc.
First Stop Shops are for information or complaints.
One Stop Shops are for a variety of services.
They also have Mobile Vans which services 6 wards.
They offer the following services:
1. General enquiries
2. Traffic fines queries
3. Storm water queries
4. Accounts balance enquires
5. Water/Electricity Faults reporting
6. Info on hall bookings
7. Ezasegagasini newspaper and application forms.
Umhlanga Life asked various eThekwini residents if they had
ever heard of Sizakala centres and this is what some them had to say:
‘’Yes I have,’’ said Unathi Msinga from eThekwini
‘’I don’t know anything about Sizakala centres,’’ was the
answer from Linhle Mthembu.
It is for this reason that the Sizakala centres regularly
have roadshows around eThekwini. They have some planned for later this year so
look out for them.
Ms Pitso from Sizakala Centres is also committed to
drastically overhauling the communications systems of not only Sizakala but
also eThekwini Municipality so that there will be one line of communication in
future and quick response times for customers.
‘’Sometimes complaints don’t go where they should. We would
like to have a hub where we manage all complaints. We are also training our
customer service staff and call centre staff. We need to improve our service
standards,’’ noted Ms Pitso.
Contact details for Sizakala Customer Service Unit:
For complaints and queries:
Email: sizakala@durban.gov.za
Contact Number: 080 033 1011
For services and fault queries: 080 311 1111
For more information on the Sizakala centres visit: www.durban.gov.za
