“KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW”

GO!DURBAN SERVICE STATION TO BE OPENED SOON

ETHEKWINIWEEKLY BULLETIN

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By 2030 eThekwini will be Africa’s most caring and liveable City 25 March 2019 [Issue 160]

RESIDENTS will soon have access to an improved public transport service. This

comes after a meeting was held by Transport Minister Dr Blade Nzimande, eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede, City officials and public transport operators at City Hall on 22 March.The aim of the meeting

was to discuss the progress, achievements and challenges facing the Go!Durban project thus far and how they can be resolved in order to ensure that it starts operating in May this

year as planned. Minister Nzimande said: “The

participation of the current public transport industry in new service, as outlined in the National Land Transport Act of 2009 is critical to make or break this project. It is therefore important that I understand the progress of the project as this is a key determining factor of whether or not we push the button to start operating the service.”Mayor Gumede welcomed

guests to the meeting saying that the City has been working

hard to ensure that all the necessary boxes are ticked in order for GO!Durban to start operating. “The project has seen 25

unemployed graduates being employed and has ensured that 100 percent of the local labour was drawn from the wards where the projects are happening. This totals to 22 967 job opportunities of which 11 767 were for youth, 3 677 for women and 231 for people with disabilities,” said Mayor Gumede.The oversight visit concluded

with delegates driving along the entire C3 route which starts in the Pinetown Central Business District all the way to Bridge City in KwaMashu. The delegation also made a

stop at the Regent Station to facilitate an assessment of the various system components of the station such as way-finding, station building structures and access to the closed system facilities.

Transport Minister Dr Blade Nzimande, flanked by Municipal officials, including City Manager Sipho Nzuza and the Chairperson of the Human Settlement and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Mondli Mthembu, visited one of the GO!Durban service stations that is expected to be operational by May.

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2 ETHEKWINI WEEKLY BULLETIN ISSUE 160

YOUTH were encouraged to become entrepreneurs and create job opportunities at the media launch of the eThekwini Youth Employability Indaba and KwaZulu-Natal Career Expo held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) on 19 March.Addressing attendees’

eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede said: “While we want the youth to be employable we also want to see them starting their own businesses and creating much needed job opportunities.”She said they are launching

the programme under the theme “Repositioning youth for inclusive growth”.“The programme’s sole

aim is to address youth unemployment challenges and provide a platform for youth to empower themselves through the abundance of opportunities available,” added Mayor Gumede. Daily News Editor Zoubair

Ayoob said employability in the fourth industrial revolution will

YOUTH ENCOURAGED TO BE TECHNOLOGICALLY SAVVY

EThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede flanked by the Acting Deputy City Manager for the Corporate and Human Resources Cluster Dr Mpilo Ngubane and Chief Executive Officer of the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre Lindiwe Rakharebe at the Youth Employability Indaba and KwaZulu-Natal Career Expo.

AUTOHUB INCUBATION PROGRAMME TO UPLIFT TOWNSHIP SMME’S

ETHEKWINI Municipality and Seda Automotive Technology Centre (SATeC) have joined forces reserving R5.5 million to kick-start and run the uMlazi and Illovu Autohub incubation programme. The Municipality will contribute R3 million over three consecutive financial years while SATeC will finance the remaining R2.5 million over the same period.The programme is aimed at

assisting automotive township

businesses be sustainable by providing working facilities, equipment, and providing scarce skills development training. This partnership received the

full backing of the Municipality’s Economic Development and Planning Committee when it was presented at its meeting on 14 March. Committee members agreed that the programme was a practical initiative of transforming the township economy.

Head of the Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit Thulani Nzama said both autohubs, situated in Illovu and Prince Mncwayizeni Drive in uMlazi, will assist the existing local informal industry to formalise. He said they will also

incorporate the value chain of the automotive aftermarket repairs industry such as engine mechanics, body repairs and tyre and wheel specialisation. Nzama said the programme

will accommodate about 20 businesses while also helping start-ups and existing small businesses exploit opportunities within the sector.Chairperson of the committee

Councillor Sipho Kaunda said: “The demand for highly skilled professionals in the automotive fraternity is increasing but there are major barriers to enter the industry’s formal areas. However, this incubation programme is set to address these obstacles.”

be defined by computer skills in general and coding skills in particular, which will set the future employee apart from the rest. “Every child should learn

computer science and coding skills. Technological change will be upon use in the next few years and we need to embrace technology and innovation,” said Ayoob.

Chief Executive Officer of the Durban ICC Lindiwe Rakharebe said youth needed to be empowered with creative ideas. “Investing in the youth is

crucial if we want to see economic development,” she said.The Youth Employability

Indaba and KZN Careers Expo will be held between 23 to 25 May at the Durban Exhibition

Centre and will allow young people to access information on bursaries, business opportunities, maritime, technological development, career guidance and internship opportunities. The programme is a collaborative effort of eThekwini Municipality, the Durban ICC, Independent Media and the eThekwini Maritime Cluster.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPOWERED AT AUDIT INDABA

ALL municipalities need to understand the importance of improving governance and accountability within their institutions.This was the key message

that left municipal officials empowered at the KwaZulu-Natal Local Government Audit Indaba held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on 19 March.The Audit Indaba aimed

to create a conducive environment for improved audit outcomes with a focus on enhancing, planning, performance and financial management towards extending and maintaining services to the communities.The programme was

structured to provide platforms for vigorous dialogue by addressing three key areas of concern. Namely, governance and administration, financial management and performance management. Minister of Cooperative

Governance and Traditional

CITY’S STRATEGY TO MOVE LOCAL FILM INDUSTRY FORWARD

TO ENSURE transformation and to promote the local creative industry, the Municipality on 20 March presented a recently approved Film and Television Sector Strategy to key role-players during an industry workshop at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. Toni Monty, Head of the

Durban Film Office (DFO) said the strategy will act as a guiding tool towards the development of the local film industry in alignment with emerging and global trends.

She said the strategy aims to encourage new market entrants which will be achieved by the creation of a transformation and localisation policy, and within this, further grow the existing content development and market access programmes. “We also need to attract film

and television hubs to the City through the creation of a policy to entice TV series production, which provides consistent opportunities for film-makers. This will include a framework to promote ‘Digital Durban’ which will aim to attract post-

production and visual effect opportunities,” she said.Monty said the five-year sector

strategy will be taken to key industry players, organisations, experts and policy makers for review before final approval. Meanwhile, 20 March also

marked 15 years of the DFO to the day since it was established in 2003. To reflect on this important milestone, Monty reported on the DFO’s achievements to date. “Since 2003, the DFO has

assisted over 3 000 productions to film in eThekwini locations. These production activities

contributes R329 million to the local economy annually,” said Monty. She said the Office has

spearheaded several developmental programmes which has funded over 34 filmmakers to produce their films. Chairperson of the Economic

Development and Planning Committee Councillor Sipho Kaunda said: “This strategy is a solid plan of how this industry will achieve yet another 15 successful years which will be a catalyst for economic growth.”

ISSUE 160 ETHEKWINI WEEKLY BULLETIN 3

EThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and Auditor General of South Africa Kimi Makwetu both delivered speeches on the importance of thorough compliance within the Municipality at the recently held Audit Indaba.

Affairs (COGTA) Zweli Mkhize said: “It is important for us to bear these areas in mind as government aims to fight crime, poverty, unemployment, inequality or any problem the public might be facing. We see local government at the forefront of that fight, as it is the sphere of government that is closest to the people.” MEC of COGTA Nomusa

Dube-Ncube said the Indaba

is a critical platform in the performance of oversight rules of the management of public funds by municipal officials.“Whenever our municipalities

fail to deliver strong political and administrative leadership, stability, functional councils and oversight structures, sound financial management and consistent clean audits, we essentially betray the trust people placed in us when they

voted us into office,” said MEC Dube-Ncube.EThekwini Mayor Zandile

Gumede said: “We must be transparent, exercise good governance and also ensure that we put proper checks and balances in place as we strive to achieve a clean audit which contributes to building strong relations with our communities.”

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If you would like to submit feedback or contribute to eThekwini Weekly Bulletin

EDITORIAL TEAMACTING EDITOR: Mandla Nsele, Acting Head of Communications

CONTENT EDITOR: Nondumiso Mathomane • WRITERS: Khayelihle Sengani, Nonduduzo Ngcongo,

Simphiwe Dlamini, Charmel Payet, Siphesihle Soni and Carly Abdul-Rasheed

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Pumla Khwela and Mpumelelo Makhaye • DESIGN & LAYOUT: Zimana Bashe

ARTICULATE AFRICA BOOK AND ART FAIR LAUNCHED

THE Werehouse on Hunters Street was the perfect venue for the launch of the Articulate Africa Book and Art Fair on 22 March. The Fair is scheduled to take place between 10 and 13 April at the Durban Exhibition Centre.The City is now ready

to roll out the red carpet for hundreds of authors, publishers, visual artists and chefs from across the continent that will descend on its shores for the four-day Fair which will consist of more than 30 sessions focusing on books and visual arts.Unpacking the 2019

Articulate Africa Book and Art Fair programme, Head of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit Thembinkosi Ngcobo said the Fair will not only showcase the best of local talent in literature and art, it will also bring together

The Chairperson of Community Services Committee Councillor Zama Sokhabase, fourth from right and the Head of Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit Thembinkosi Ngcobo, third from right, flanked by authors and socialites at the Articulate Africa Book and Art Fair launch.

other creative fields such as crafts, food and music. “With Articulate Africa we

want to strengthen and grow the South African creative industry that provides over 500 000 jobs to the extent that it contributes even more

to social and economic development,” said Ngcobo. The programme includes

a creative writing workshop, a literature programme, a visual art exhibition, music, poetry, theatre, children’s activities and food as a way of

City to host Banyana Banyana World Cup farewell matchETHEKWINI Municipality will host a farewell match to be played by Banyana Banyana versus Jamaica before the country’s women football team heads off to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time. The match will be played at

the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 7 April. This follows the tabling of a

report outlining the match at an Executive Committee meeting on 19 March.

Banyana Banyana will head off to compete in the World Cup which is taking place between 7 June and 7 July in France.The tabled report also states

that the City will host the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour, which will enhance eThekwini Municipality’s reputation to host major events as well as its support for female participation in sports. It will also count in the City’s favour when South

Africa bids to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.The final tournament will

involve 24 national teams of which four, including South Africa, will be making their debut. A total of 52 matches will be played in nine venues located in nine French cities. The final is expected to take place in Parc Olympique Lyonnais in the Lyon suburb of Decines with a 58 000 capacity.The trophy tour celebrates

the premier women’s football competition by travelling across the globe and giving fans the chance to see the most coveted prize in women’s football. The tour launched in France on 24 February and kicked off a two month journey across 24 different stops in six continents. The match played in

eThekwini will be broadcast live and entry to the stadium will be free.

showcasing art and creativity. There will also be

opportunities for local artists, crafters, authors and chefs to sell and promote their work directly to the public. Chairperson of the

Community Services Committee Councillor Zama Sokhabase said the City is excited that the Articulate Africa Book and Art Fair, which was part of the Durban Essence Festival, will for the first time this year be a stand-alone Municipal programme with the sole aim of making Durban a Mecca of literature, visual art and gastronomy. “By promoting Durban’s

rich and diverse literary and creative heritage, we will be encouraging social cohesion, learning, participation and enjoyment in a variety of creative expressions,” said Councillor Sokhabase.