“KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW”

CITY ASSISTS FLOOD VICTIMS

ETHEKWINIWEEKLY BULLETIN

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By 2030 eThekwini will be Africa’s most caring and liveable City 11 March 2019 [Issue 158]

ETHEKWINI Mayor Zandile Gumede has conveyed her condolences to the families of flood victims who died after yesterday’s torrential downpour.Speaking during mop-

up operations at various affected areas across the City, including KwaMashu, Inanda and Ntuzuma, Mayor Gumede said the heavy rain and flooding left a trail of destruction, damaging several homes.It was reported today that

a father and his six-year-old daughter died after being washed away by the floods. “Our thoughts and prayers

are with the families who lost loved ones due to the heavy storm. The City is working hard to ensure that displaced families have a roof over their heads and food to eat. Mop-up operations are underway to ensure that no further damage is caused,” she said.“I’ve personally visited the

affected areas to see the magnitude of the damage and to ensure that we attend and assist affected residents speedily.”The Municipality’s

Disaster Management and Emergency Unit is currently

on the ground conducting physical assessments and providing interim relief to residents that were left destitute.The majority of areas that

have been heavily affected are in the Northern and Outer West regions of the Municipality. Two people that were washed away last night in ward 60 in Verulam are still missing.The Search and Rescue

team was dispatched last night to search for the two, but they have not been found yet.Mayor Gumede said the

rescue team returned to the

site today to continue with the search.“We are confident that

they will be found. Some displaced people have already been accommodated at Amaoti Hall in Inanda. Our Disaster Management officials and volunteers will continue conducting physical assessments and providing necessary disaster support,” she said.For emergencies and

flooding-related assistance, residents are urged to contact the Disaster Management Centre on 031 361 0000 or their local ward councillor.

EThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede today visited flood-affected areas in the City to assess the damage and offer relief to victims.

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2 ETHEKWINI WEEKLY BULLETIN ISSUE 158

THE City once again became the centre stage when hundreds of women from across the globe converged at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre to attend the fourth Forbes Woman Africa-Leading Women’s Summit on 8 March.The summit saw diverse

female personalities from the fields of politics, business, sports, media and entertainment undertaking a number of keynote conversations and dynamic panel discussions under the theme “New wealth creators”.Minister in the Presidency

Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma called for women to become key generators of wealth in the continent. She also had strong words for businesses controlled exclusively by men, threatening to boycott their services and products for failure to include women in leadership.“This is a day of celebration

and reflection. We celebrate all the women who have broken barriers and fought against difficulties to succeed

WOMEN EMPOWERED TO BE NEW WEALTH CREATORS AT FORBES SUMMIT

Minister in the Presidency Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede flanked by delegates who attended the fourth Forbes Woman Africa- Leading Women’s Summit on 8 March.

CITY’S ECONOMIC GROWTH STRATEGY GAINS MOMENTUM

ETHEKWINI Municipality is currently finalising the Economic Development and Job Creation Strategy for 2019/25 named eThekwini’s Accelerated and Inclusive Growth Path. This follows extensive consultation during the Shape Durban Conference and subsequent workshops.The draft document

highlights key projects that will reinvigorate the eThekwini economy and take the City closer to its vision of being the “most caring City by 2030”.City departments are currently

being consulted to provide input into the draft strategy as well as take responsibility for actions that fall within their function since implementation of the strategy will be delivered through the City’s various line departments.This will be followed by a

public call for comments to include views from the private sector, academia, civil society, youth and other sectors of society. A key partner to Shape Durban, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has been very closely involved

in the consultative process and is looking forward to playing a significant role in the implementation phase of the strategy.The development of the City’s

strategy has meant that many role-players and partners are identifying activities and projects which they will take up as part of their role in shaping the City’s future.Quarterly meetings have

been set up across all Shape Durban themes and will soon be published in partnership with the Durban Chamber of

Commerce and Industry in the coming weeks. These quarterly meetings will represent a key platform and collaboration mechanism to achieve a wider impact in projects and activities relating to the City’s economic growth. For more information on how to get involved and play your part in shaping the City’s future, please contact the Policy, Strategy, Information and Research Department on 031 311 4790.

in different fields. It is a day of reflection because there is much that still needs to be done; like making sure that there is no women enduring abuse. We have to reflect on how we can empower women to be financially independent,” she said.Economic Development,

Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Sihle Zikalala said government is vigorously working towards eradicating gender-based stereotypes.

“This summit should remind us that gender balance is not an issue for women only but it is the problem of the whole country,” said MEC Zikalala.EThekwini Mayor Zandile

Gumede welcomed guests and acknowledged Forbes Magazine for selecting Durban to host this year’s summit. “It is vital to empower women economically because they are the backbone of many families. I urge all successful women to not shy away from sharing

their knowledge and wisdom with the younger generation because the future of this world depends on them,” she said.Managing Editor of Forbes

Woman Africa Methil Renuka said the aim of the summit is to connect people from multiple platforms to generate positive change in society. “Let this be a day of

shared values and common commitments,” said Renuka.

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FRANCHISING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMERGING BUSINESSES

EMERGING black business owners received the opportunity of a lifetime when they were empowered during the 2019 International Franchise and Entrepreneur Expo. During the Expo, which was held at the Durban Exhibition Centre on 8 March, business owners were skilled on how to grow their businesses into franchises, funding opportunities and the art of networking.The Expo was the brainchild

of the eThekwini Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit, in partnership with Ithala Group, the Franchise Association of Southern Africa and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. The programme aimed to create a platform for small businesses in KwaZulu-Natal to showcase to potential buyers.Speaking on behalf of

eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede, Councillor Busi

LOCAL CONTRACTORS EMPOWERED WITH BUILDING SKILLSTO STIMULATE growth in the local construction industry, 30 emerging contractors from ward 102 received Construction Education and Training Authority accredited certificates in bricklaying, excavation, health and safety, carpentry and concrete.The graduation ceremony was

hosted by the Municipality’s Architecture Department, which falls under the Engineering Unit, on 8 March at the City Fleet Workshop in Ottawa.The graduating contractors

are all local workers involved in a multi-million rand building contract for the City Fleet workshop in Ottawa. The building, which was designed by the Architecture Department, was also unveiled

ISSUE 158 ETHEKWINI WEEKLY BULLETIN 3

Small businesses grabbed the attention of Councillor Busi Ndlovu at the 2019 International Franchise and Entrepreneur Expo, held at the Durban Exhibition Centre.

Ndlovu said the Municipality has significantly invested in Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises and ensures that small businesses become role-players in the economy.“We have developed a

mandate to empower previously disadvantaged people and stimulate entrepreneurship. We are also here to solve the challenge faced by businesses when it comes to sourcing funding,” he said.

Councillor Ndlovu said the partnership with all stakeholders involved is a commitment to ensure that KwaZulu-Natal becomes a leading province in business. This, she said, will help alleviate poverty and unemployment. “The annual Durban Business

Fair has reached over 80 000 businesses as a platform to showcase and market their local businesses. We have targeted business owners living

Management from the Architecture Department and the City Fleet Unit joined 30 graduates as they celebrated their education achievements.

on the day.The workers received intense

practical and theory training during and after the upgrading of the Ottawa workshop through the Master Builders Association.Acting Senior Manager from

the Architecture Department Lungelo Buthelezi said they are very proud of all the workers’

achievements as well as their practical application of what they learnt by upgrading the workshop building. “There was a need for a

world-class facility for better output to accelerate service delivery. It was good to utilise the same platform to address this need while investing in training to address the skills

shortage that hinders growth in the industry,” said Buthelezi.He said this skills transfer

programme will assist to further develop future employment opportunities to grow the City.Cloppers Gonya, who received

an Excavation Certificate, said the workshop extension project improved lives as it offered employment and professional training in scarce skills. Congratulating the graduates,

Councillor Siyabonga Thango said this is truly a historic achievement for the City in terms of empowering communities while speaking directly to radical economic transformation.“From one project, locals were

able to receive qualifications, experience and an income.”

with disabilities and women.”Councillor Ndlovu said: “This

platform (Durban Business Fair) has generated about R240 million for businesses and created 18 500 sustainable jobs.”Ithala Group Deputy Chairman,

Sihle Mkhize said franchises generate over R721 billion which contributes 50.7 percent towards the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Mkhize said 4000 visitors were expected to attend the two-day exhibition, adding that he was optimistic that there will be sufficient business opportunities for exhibitors.Owner of Mangala Kreationz

Traditional Accessories, a hand-made jewellery company, Lusanda Linqe said she is overwhelmed by the Municipality’s support for small businesses.Get2Natural co-founder,

Nosihle Dlamini said she is grateful for the platform to learn more about franchising.

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Email: nondumiso.mathomane@durban.gov.za

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: Mbalenhle Sithebe, Siphesihle Soni,

Nonduduzo Ngcongo, Simphiwe Dlamini, Charmel Payet and Priah Dass.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Pumla Khwela and Mpumelelo Makhaye • DESIGN & LAYOUT: Macduff Dlamini

STUDENTS GRADUATE IN MAKE-UP COURSE

ELEVEN aspiring make-up artists were given the opportunity of a lifetime to advance their skills through the Durban Fashion Fair under the Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit. The youth, who couldn’t afford to pay for their own studies, graduated with Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) certificates from the Beauty Specialist Academy on 2 March.Their training was an

answer to the call for youth development and empowerment. Initially 15 candidates were selected to attend a five-day make-up training course between 19 and 23 November 2018. From the 15, eleven youth successfully completed their training which included tutorials on everyday

make-up and bridal as well as fantasy make-up. They shared the stage with Diploma and I-tech graduates from the Beauty Specialist Academy. The college maintained a 100 percent pass rate for all SETA accredited qualifications and 99 percent for its I-tech qualification.Beauty Specialist Academy

Principal Sandi Singh said she appreciates that the Municipality trusted her college to train the candidates, who are now qualified, make-up artists.Lecturer and Beauty

Specialist Otisha Nair, addressing the graduates, said: “Now that you have graduated remember that anything is possible.”She encouraged the

graduates to be excellent in their craft in order to become

unforgettable.Christian Mkhize was

recognised as the top achiever in the make-up training class and was said to have shown the most improvement in his make-up skills.Mkhize said his love for the

beauty industry has grown. “I have learned so much during this course and can now ensure that people’s eyebrows are on ‘fleek’.”He said the training gave

him confidence to widen his customer base. He said he already has nine customers lined up for this month.The other graduates

expressed their gratitude for the opportunity, adding that they hope to participate in other Municipal training programmes to learn business skills and how to market their art.

Phumelele Gwacele and Beauty Specialist Academy Principal Sandi Singh celebrate with joyful students who successfully completed a make-up skills training programme offered through the Municipality.

EXCHANGE OF BIRDS AT UMGENI RIVER BIRD PARKTHREE separate reports, tabled at a Full Council meeting on 28 February, outlined some changes taking place at the Umgeni River Bird Park.A male Toco Toucan from

the Bird Park worth R50 000 will be exchanged with a female Toco Toucan from the Amazona Bird Farm.The tabled report grants

authority to the Head of the Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) Unit, Thembinkosi Ngcobo, to exchange and release the bird upon the production of the necessary possession and transportation permits. The second tabled report at

the meeting granted authority to the Head of the PRC Unit to sell and release excess birds valued at R172 400 from the Bird Park to various bird parks in an effort to reduce the number of birds in excess of its carrying capacity. The report states that the proceeds from the sale will be utilised to purchase additional birds.And finally, a third tabled

report at the meeting transferred the Umgeni River Bird Park management function from top administration services to a PRC department.Authority was granted to the

Head of the PRC to undertake this transfer as well as the amalgamation of the Umgeni River Bird Park and Mitchell Park Zoo and that reporting be facilitated by the Natural Resources and Special Services Branch of the Parks, Leisure and Cemeteries Department. The effective date of the transfer and the amalgamation will be on 1 March, soon after the expiry date of the existing contract.