News

Wordsmith

Vol 7.1 21 July 2017

FIRE HEROES SAVED OUR CITY!

Mayor Trollip visited our Fire and Emergency Services in Humewood to thank our firemen and -women personally for their bravery and dedication in saving our city from a catastrophe during June 2017, when savage fires ravaged the coastline, drawing ever closer to the Nelson Mandela Bay area.

On Wednesday, 7 June, the blazes made their entry into the City through the bushes in Van Stadens Gorge and Rocklands. No sooner had our team put out those fires, than Schoenmakerskop, Blue Horizon Bay, Sardinia Bay and Thornhill began blazing up.

The fires continued right into the weekend. Our city witnessed the most

devastating results of all in the Thornhill area, claiming the lives of Walter and Myrna Van Der Riet. The flames also engulfed Woodridge College, wiping out 40% of the school buildings.

The Senior Director of Fi re and Emergency Services and Chief Fire Officer, Andre De Ridder, who has 39 years of service as a municipal fire-fighter, expressed how proud he was to lead such a commi t ted team of firefighters, who accomplished an 'almost impossible' mission. “Hendrik McLeod and Nilton Whiteboy literally worked around the clock, from 7am to 6am the following day. McLeod travelled between all the different fire-ridden locations, to ensure that the city

remained safe and blaze free,” said De Ridder.

McLeod and Whiteboy are both Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officers, boasting 30 and 35 years of service, respectively. McLeod is also the Acting Deputy Director and Whiteboy, Acting Director of Operations in Fire & Emergency Services.

De Ridder said that in the face of 'demonic' winds, blowing at 70 to 80 km per hour, the best brigade could not have saved the Woodridge College bu i ld ings, yet h is team brave ly confronted those flames, risking their lives in the line of duty, managing to salvage 60% of the school premises.

Hendrik McCleod commented that “firefighting is not a job, but a calling.”

A female firefighter with 19 years of service, Angelique Minnie, echoed McCleod' s sentiments citing that [when there is a fire], “all you think of is saving people' s lives, as scared as you may be, you just go into the fire.”

In what was a catastrophic and traumatic experience for the city as well as the schools, businesses and families affected, the city has gained a new sense of appreciation for our firefighters. They a r e t h e u n s u n g h e r o e s o f o u r communities, who continue to selflessly risk their own lives to save those of others.

A grateful community: Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer Nilton Whiteboy (center) receiving a ‘thank you’ card from Beach Hotel management

Editorial TeamEditor: Mzobanzi Jikazana

Managing Editor: Marthie Nel

Contributors:Kupido BaronZikona CaptainNceba DladlaNande MajovaMthubanzi MnikiSivenkosi MtiyaZonile NdoniSiphokazi NogayaPrincess Tobin-Diouf

Layout & Design: Nikita Stevens

WEATHER - 20 Jul - 25 Jul 2017

Fri: 11 - 18

Sat: 12 - 18

as per WeatherSA

Sun: 11 - 18

Mon: 12 - 22

Ÿ 9 Metro Police Stations Envisaged

Ÿ Fire Heroes Saved Our City

Ÿ Internal Forum for People with

Disabilities Launched

Ÿ Brand New Gqebera Library

Ÿ Meet Nceba Dladla

Ÿ Happiness Workshop

Ÿ IVR Brings Convenience To

Metro Consumers

Ÿ Wordsmith

In this publication

Tues: 10 - 19

9 METRO POLICE STATIONS ENVISAGED!

The fight against drug trafficking and abuse, gangsterism, domestic violence and general lawlessness in our city recently took a giant step forward when the first two in-its-kind Metro Police precincts were opened: the first precinct is in the Northern Areas, Bloemendal (opened on 12 July 2017) and the second in KwaNobuhle, Uitenhage (19 July 2017).

This follows a promise made by the Executive Mayor at the Metro Police Passing Out Parade in March that the Northern Areas would be a focus area for the Metro Police, working under the wing of the South African Police Services.

Fifty Metro Police Officers will work from the Bloemendal precinct. They will launch their own crime-fighting initiatives, enforce municipal bylaws, set up road blocks focusing on vehicle and driver fitness, and undertake joint crime-fighting

o p e r a t i o n s w i t h t h e S A P S a n d government entities.

Speaking at the opening, a visibly excited Executive Mayor said: "This is a historic occasion. We are here to stop crime. These communities have been suffering for too long. We are opening this fully fledged facility in a crime hot-spot, where many people, including children, have lost their lives in senseless gangster wars.”

A similar precinct, accommodating 40 officers, was opened in Hoyana Street, Uitenhage, KwaNobuhle. Uitenhage SAPS Cluster Commander Johan Fourie pledged the support of his officers, all in the in terest o f f ight ing cr ime in Uitenhage.

Seven more Metro Police Precincts are expected to be opened across the City in the next three to five years.

Kwanobuhle, Uitenhage Metro Police Officers with (center back) Yolanda Faro,Metro Police Chief and Mayor Athol Trollip and (back left) MMC John Best

INTERNAL FORUM FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES LAUNCHED

It’sIt’s is the contraction (shortened version) of it is. The apostrophe stands in the place of the ‘i’ of the word ‘is’.Examples: ‘It’s a lovely day’. (it is a lovely day)

WORDSMITH: ITS AND IT’S

The distinction between its and it’s often trips up language users: from learned academics to ten-year olds particularly outside formal writing. Let’s try to eliminate this confusion through a few example sentences.

ItsIts is the possessive form of it (belonging to, like ‘his’ or ‘her’). Examples: ‘Put each book in its place’. ‘The dog is eating its food’.

Nelson Mandela Bay Call Centre Supervisor Nozuko Mbopha explaining the advantages of IVR Service

Accounts Clerk Lungi Mgongo shows the benefits of the Smartphone

IVR BRINGS CONVENIENCE TO METRO CONSUMERS

But what info and benefits does the IVR offer? For starters, it allows you to buy electricity anywhere, anytime in the country; check statements and balances; receive statements via email or fax; and pay accounts.

And, according to Mbopha, very important is the security afforded by the IVR. “Municipal Meter Readers find it difficult to do their work because residents lock their gates for security reasons. With IVR, people can do their own meter readings,” said Mbopha, adding that the IVR also sends SMS reminders to account holders to pay their accounts, the amount, and also alerts on what is overdue before disconnections.

“The IVR really cuts out a lot of queueing,” said Lungi Mgongo, municipal Accounts Clerk. “When their electricity is blocked or

Nelson Mandela Bay off icials are encouraged to make use of the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System, which is aimed at making municipal bills and paying for water and electricity a lot easier.

“This is the system companies use 24/7 in the place of a receptionist to give prompt responses to customers,” according to Call Centre Supervisor Nozuko Mbopha, who is based at the Mfanasekhaya Gqobose Building. “As the IVR works 24 hours a day, it really suits our staff and residents.”

And if you don't like talking to a machine, added Mbopha, the Star option is available to rather speak to a person.

if residents have not received their water statements, they usually have to visit the municipal offices to resolve the problem, while IVR users can simply use their Smartphones to check their account – no coming into the office and standing in long queues,” Tenants are also allowed to register for the IVR, according to Mgongo. She said the service can easily be made through all electronic payment EFTs.

“In a sense, we offer convenience to consumers to access all municipal services in a user-friendly may,” said Mbopha.

*Apply for IVR by completing an appl icat ion form at your nearest Customer Care office/municipal office, or register on-line through the website: www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za or contact the IVR Helpline Desk at tel. 041 506 5518.

something I'm passionate about. I am really looking forward to interacting with people from different backgrounds and professions in the institution!”

His interests outside work lie in human development and assisting people in realising their full potential, and the importance of their existence through church, social cohesion and through sport. “I feel that people should understand that there is a purpose for every individual on earth and that we as the human race should work hard towards reaching our potential and we should always have in mind that believing in a supreme being is the source of all stability.”

Dreams for the future include a visit to the United States of America! ”That is one country that I would love to visit, mainly because of my family there, my love of boxing and the fact that most of the boxers that I used to emulate came from the USA.”

Any words of wisdom to colleagues within the Municipality? “It is an honour to be employed in the Municipality. Therefore make your mark, do your best and leave a legacy!”

How would the headline of your life read?“Nceba Dladla: a man who never gives up!!”

Nceba Dladla, the newest member of the Communications Subdirectorate, is a well-rounded family man, a former top professional boxer, an ordained Priest, and an award-winning journalist, linguist, and published author.

A graduate of the University of Cape Town, Nceba started his career as an IsiXhosa, English and History teacher. As a journalist, he served a number of local publications such as PE Express, Ilizwi, The Herald and Die Burger. In addition, he also served as a presenter for Radio Xhosa, now better known as Umhlobo Wenene. This former Daily Sun Eastern Cape Bureau Chief is currently a Bay TV's

Talk Show “Behind the Headlines” anchor.

Nceba attributes his success as teacher, editor, presenter, journalist and linguist to a t a l e n t f o r p e r s i s t e n c e a n d perseverance. “I never give up. Never! I am grateful for what I have, and I always set out to be and do my best. While one cannot do everything, the little that one can do, must be to the best of one's ability.”

He is much looking forward to serving the Communications Subdirectorate and the Municipality as a whole: “Communication is my life. Being a voice of the people is

MEET NCEBA DLADLA: A MAN WHO NEVER GIVES UP!

Remember his face: you may soon be interviewed by an experienced journalist Nceba Dladla

BRAND NEW GQEBERA LIBRARY:THE FIRST FOR WALMER TOWNSHIP

As part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's mandate to promote a culture of reading, writing and learning, it officially opened the Gqebera Public Library on Monday, 5 June. The chicly designed building conveniently located in the heart of Walmer Township, offers the community a range of services, including book lending and research.

The Gqebera Public Library, the 26th municipal library in the Metro, is equipped with books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, newspapers, toys and computer stations, among other resources.

Present at the launch was the Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay, Cllr Athol Trollip, who expressed that the presence of the Gqebera Library would prove crucial to the development of i ts

community as well as the township economy.

The Gqebera Library now complements the services offered by the Walmer Town Library, located approximately one kilometer away. An excited Anathi Ngwatshanga (9) from Walmer Primary School commented, “Up until June 2017, Walmer Town Library has been the only one in the area and therefore made it difficult and unsafe for school children to walk there and back for homework and

research purposes, thereby limiting access to information.”

Ngwantshanga was proud to have attended the official opening of the public library with his school and various other schools from the community.

The Executive Mayor encouraged the parents, learners, teachers and residents at large to take advantage of the facility, own and take care of it as their own.

Overjoyed learners from Walmer Primary School

Executive Director of SRAC Noxolo Nqwazi, Ward 1 Cllr Rashied Adams, SRAC Portfolio Cllr Siyasanga Sijadu, Ward 4 Cllr Ayanda Tyokwan, former

Ward 4 Cllrs Nomajama Benya and Fundiswa Mbane and learners

Municipal employees with disabilities are optimistic that the newly established NMBM People with Disabilities Forum (NMBM-PWD-F) is the first step towards ending discrimination against and afford staff members with disabilities a fair chance to compete for the same career growth opportunities as their able-bodied colleagues.

Sandile Adam, Chairperson of the NMBM-PWD-F, welcomed the new development, adding that employees with disabilities felt

spiritually and morally rejuvenated by the prospect that discr iminat ion and exclusion from strategic opportunities would become a difficulty of the past.

The newly established body, an internal fo rum for munic ipa l employees, envisages bringing change, speeding up transformation and fighting for the empowerment of all employees with disabilities within the institution.

Speaking at the Port Elizabeth City Hall launch on 12 July 2017, Cllr Dean Biddulph, Member of the Mayoral

Committee for Corporate Services, had a strong message of encouragement for employees with disabilities.

“We have failed our disabled workforce for too long. This has to change and it is our duty and responsibility to bring about that change. Now is the time for change and we are all called to action to bring about that change. The administration must a lways seek to create an environment in which all employees, especially People with Disabilities, are recognised, supported and encouraged. Their work lives must be improved and t h e y m u s t b e p r o v i d e d w i t h opportunities.

Today we are officially launching the NMBM PWD Forum for our staff, which will seek to directly address the many cha l l enges ra i sed by the PWD community within our Metro family.”

Cllr Biddulph concluded: “I want to give my personal commitment to each and every one of you that we are going to change this perception. We will do so to make sure that a l l People With Disabilities within our administration are treated equally and fairly. It is also crucial that they feel that their contributions are valued, as well as their presence in our workforce.”

Chairperson Adam will be assisted by Tabisa Flatela (Deputy Chairperson), Tobela Dekeda (Secretary) and Coordinators Terri Cox and Ludwe Soga.

Driving the disability agenda: (from left) Sandile Adam, City Manager Johann Mettler,MMC Dean Biddulph and Terry Cox

In the front row, from right: Happiness Workshop Organiser and Nelson Mandela Bay Wellness Coordinator Dawne Jackson, Clinical Psychologist Tracy Mclntyre and Stress Management Practitioner Dr Margo De Kooker with municipal employees

who attended the Happiness Workshop at the Wellness Centre in Walmer.

HAPPINESS WORKSHOP: JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED FOR MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES

themselves.

Municipal Wellness Coordinator Dawne Jackson, who organised the event, said she hoped that employees would find it useful and that it would inspire them to adopt a healthier life-style.

“Employees are the Municipality's greatest assets and workshops like these help them achieve a more balanced mental, emotional and physical health,” Dawne added.

“Happy people enrich family life. People must, therefore, invest in their own well-being and happiness,” said Tracy Mclntyre.

“I enjoyed it. It was interesting and would surely make me a better person,” said Thabisa Mandla, Special Programmes Officer in Constituency Services. Safety and Security Planning and Research

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's Occupat ional Heal th, Safety and Wellness Sub-Directorate held a very successful Happiness workshop at the Employee Wellness Centre in Heugh Road, Port Elizabeth, Walmer a few weeks ago.

The workshop, presented by Medical Doc to r and S t ress Management Practitioner Margo De Kooker and Clinical Psychologist Tracy Mclntyre, was aimed at helping the approximately 100 attending municipal employees from all directorates and sub-directorates develop a positive mental and emotional heal th , someth ing necessary for happiness, good health and productivity.Healthy employees contribute to healthy organisations, according to

Dr De Kooker, who has a private practice in Walmer. Being healthy, she added, was also a huge benefit to the employees

Officer: Traffic Department Lukhanyiso Tinise agreed: “It was an eye opener. We tend to take things for granted and yet they play a big part in our well-being,” said Tinise.

A second workshop, focusing on what makes and promotes a healthy brain, followed this one, and was equally well attended.

“The two workshops complement each other. Happiness doesn't just happen: You have to work at it. If we understand brain health and what makes us vulnerable to things like negative thoughts and addiction, it can be managed,” said Jackson.