February 2007 - City of uMhlathuze

uMhlathuze News
Official newsletter of the uMhlathuze Municipality FEBRUARY 2007
New lease on life for Arts and
Crafts Centre
The Empangeni Arts and Crafts Centre has been given a new
lease on life with the awarding of a tender to Zikulise
Community Upliftment Project to manage the facility.
Chief Executive Officer of Zikulise, Julie Jonson is bubbling
with enthusiasm for the project, which will be known as the
Zikulise SMME Support and Training Centre. She said: “The
original vision for the centre was that it would be an SMME
skills training centre for job creation. We believe we can
deliver on this vision by providing a facility that has the
potential of growing into the hub of traditional Zulu arts and
crafts for the uMhlathuze area as well as a tourist attraction.”
The broad objectives of the Zikulise SMME Support and
Training Centre are to support and encourage local economic
development by providing high quality entrepreneurial skills
training, SMME support, advice and mentorship. The Centre
will also encourage job creation within the district and address
poverty alleviation.
Explained Mrs Jonson: “Our objective is to set up a
protected environment, a campus at the Arts and Crafts
Centre, where entrepreneurs can be trained, nurtured,
mentored and empowered. Simultaneously we will provide
outreach skills training programmes into the rural areas where
the people live, at HIV/AIDS care centres and the Qalakabusha
Prison as well as promoting sponsored apprenticeship training
at local businesses. Tourism and a culture of entrepreneurship
especially within the youth will be promoted and courses on
HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention will form a vital part of
the training.”
New lease on life for Arts and Crafts Centre ....1
Who to call for complaints ..............................2
Work-study for City Engineer’s Department ....2
Mall opening planned for March 2008.............3
Satellite housing offices opened......................4
Changes to Council .........................................4
More pedestrian bridges for rural areas ..........4
Making waste work for the City .......................5
Appeal to stop vandalism of litterbins .............5
CCTV tender awarded......................................5
Ward committee success for City....................6
Municipality to participate in peer review ........6
Council to consider terms of reference
for Marina .......................................................7
A change from tradition for new
mayoral vehicle ...............................................7
Avoid being an ‘illegal’ Outdoor Advertiser......8
Mandlazini reservoirs to undergo repairs .......8
1
Julie Jonson, CEO of Zikulise Community Upliftment Project.
Zikulise provides entrepreneurship skills training to the
unskilled, unemployed, women, entrepreneurs, the youth,
HIV/AIDS orphans, the physically disabled, offenders,
ex-offenders, the previously disadvantaged and owners of
existing SMMEs.
Continued on page 2
Planning for Hillview development ..................9
Phase 2 of Gemini outfall upgrade ..................9
RBCAA Monthly Report: December 2006........9
Environmental Watchdog: Eco-Schools ........10
New NSRI base takes shape..........................11
University to present City Campus
concept to councilors....................................12
Municipality to host talk by
Olympic swimmer .........................................12

Continued from page 1
The skills training offered at the Centre will include intensive
six-month courses for incubator entrepreneurial training
and short course training in pottery, sewing, crafts (beading,
fabric painting, wire & bead, weaving), baking & catering,
jewellery making, with an emphasis on business skills
training. Sponsored apprenticeship training will be in
house maintenance, bricklaying, carpentry and painting.
Zikulise will be revamping the existing structures and
surrounding vacant areas of the Centre to meets its
requirements and plans to be open for business by June.
Providing the financial support for the project is Exxaro
Sands (KZN), previously known as Ticor SA, which has
provided R1-million as seed funding for the project.
The vision is to establish the pottery kilns and incubator
unit on site but this in dependent on additional funding
being received. Zikulise is exploring various avenues in
this regard and is awaiting the outcome of an application
made to the EU.
Mrs Jonson wants to encourage the public to visit the
Centre where there will be a permanent exhibition of
artwork and crafts on display. Visitors will also be able to
see the training taking place and the crafters at work. A
well-stocked craft shop and a coffee shop are to also be
established at the training centre. The craft shop will
provide an outlet for trainees and entrepreneur’s products
while the coffee shop will sell the food made by the baking
trainees and provide the public with somewhere to enjoy
refreshments and a light meal while visiting the Centre.
Added Mrs Jonson: “Other exciting news it that the
Blind Society, based in Durban, is investigating establishing
a satellite cane weaving training venue for the blind and
partially sighted at the Zikulise campus. There already
exists a large market for these trainees’ products in our
area as well as further north.”
Deputy Director of Marketing and Tourism, Cedric
Koekemoer said that after several attempts to increase
the profile of the Arts and Crafts Centre the Municipality
is looking forward to having the full potential of this facility
finally realised.
He said that the service provided by the existing tenants
does not fall within the scope of the new manager and
the tenants, therefore, have been advised to look for
alternative space. He added that the tenants were advised
in October 2006 that their leases would be on a monthto-month
basis due to the management of the Centre
going out on tender.“
2
Who to call for complaints
Below is an easy-to-use reference guide of the customer
service numbers for the various departments and sections
of the Municipality that are responsible for dealing with
complaints from the public:
Water.......................................................... 035-9075452
Roads......................................................... 035-9075454
Electricity................................................... 035-9075354
Parks..........................................................035-9075396
Fire Brigade ...............................................035-9075760
A/hours enquiries/complaints....................035-7973314
035-7725503
Work-study planned for
City Engineer’s Department
Actus Integrated Management (AIM) is conducting a
work-study in the Support Services and Roads, Storm
Water, Buildings and Structures divisions of the City
Engineer’s Department.
This follows the phenomenal growth the City Engineer’s
Department has experienced in its workload over the
past number of years due in part to:
• The creation of the Empangeni and Richards Bay
Transitional Local Councils and the incorporation of
the former R293 towns of Ngwelezane, Nseleni,
Vulindlela and Esikhawini into these two municipalities
in the early 1990s.
• The amalgamation of the Empangeni and Richards
Bay TLCs into the City of uMhlathuze and the extension
of their former municipalities to include the surrounding
traditionally led rural areas.
• Changes in (or new) legislation such as the Municipal
Finance Management Act, the Construction Regulations
of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Railway
Safety Regulator Act and the like, which have created
previously unheard of technical and administrative
burdens.
Staffing and provision of resources such as information
technology and construction or maintenance equipment
has not experienced similar growth due to various reasons.
As a result the lack of skills and/or the inappropriate
application of those skills available has led to the need
for an urgent work-study project.
The work-study began in January and
will take about two months to complete.
During this time AIM will be undertaking
in-depth investigations of all the
activities in which the two sections are
involved with a view to re-organising
where necessary to promote higher
levels of productivity. Should it be
deemed necessary, the work-study will
also identify areas where additional
skills are required.

Regional mall opening planned for March 2008
It is all systems go for the revamp of the Boardwalk Centre
and the regional mall development in the Richards Bay CBD
with earthworks on the ambitious project well underway and
exciting national tenants signed up for occupation.
Operations Director of Keystone Investments, Holger
Peens said the project consists of three phases, which are
being developed simultaneously and will be known collectively
as Boardwalk @ Inkwazi upon completion. Phase 1 is the
revamp of the existing Boardwalk Centre by Keystone
Investments on behalf of Siyathenga Property Fund. Phase
2 and 3 includes additions to the Boardwalk of new retail and
entertainment components and will be developed by Keystone
Investments, Injobo Business Consortium and Richter Van
Niekerk Properties on behalf of Pangbourne Properties.
Regarding the Boardwalk revamp, Grinaker LTA was handed
the site on 15 January 2007 and is scheduled to finish the
project by mid-November 2007. Work includes the aesthetical
upgrade of internal and external features of the existing
shopping centre. New tenants to be added to the centre are
Boardmans, @Home, Home Comforts, House & Home and
Foshini Express.
Phase 2 is the construction of a new entertainment section
of about 7 000 square metres of lettable area on the former
Trade Winds Plaza site (i.e. from the southern end of the
Boardwalk to Mark Strasse).
Some of the new tenants that will be taking up space in
The area where the Tradewinds Plaza once stood, has been
filled in preparation for the construction of the new mall.
One of Richards Bay’s
landmarks, the Tradewinds
Plaza and amphitheatre outside
the Boardwalk Centre, was
drained and has since been
demolished to make way for
the construction of the regional
mall. The lake was 3m at its
deepest and an estimated 1
million litres of water had to
be pumped to empty it. In the
process many fish, including
two koi fish, were caught and
transferred to private and
public dams in the area.
3
this portion include Ocean Basket, Black Steer, Boogaloos
Skate Park, Exclusive Books, Incredible Connection, The Hub,
Reggies, a new upgraded Musica as well as many other stores
and restaurants.
Earthworks on this phase are to be completed shortly and
the planned opening date is also mid-November 2007 to
coincide with the Boardwalk revamp.
Mr Peens said Phase 3 is the new retail component of the
Boardwalk @ Inkwazi Mall and entails the development of air
space over Mark Strasse as well as the vacant portion of land
south of Mark Strasse. “On completion this phase will boast
about 30 000 square metres of lettable area, which will be
occupied in part by Game, Checkers, a larger and upgraded
Woolworths, a new Ackermans, Mr Price Sport, the entire
Foshini Group, a larger and upgraded Truworths, Identity,
Cape Union Mart and Mugg & Bean,” he added.
Earthworks on Phase 3 are well underway and should be
completed during April 2007. The planned opening of this
phase is scheduled for March 2008.
“Once all phases have been completed the Boardwalk @
Inkwazi will boast about 65 000 square metres of shops and
restaurants to fulfill the needs of the region. To put the size
of Boardwalk @ Inkwazi into perspective it will be one of the
top 20 largest shopping centres in South Africa. It will be
nearly two-thirds the size of Gateway and approximately
double the size of La Lucia Mall,” said Mr Peens.
Work has also started on Phase 3, which is the new retail component
of the Boardwalk @ Inkwazi Mall and entails the development
of air space over Mark Strasse as well as the vacant portion of
land south of Mark Strasse (behind the Municipal building).

Kuvulwe amahovisi Ezezindlu Amancane
UJoshua Valoo (uMabhalane oMkhulu
wezeZindlu), uZanele Mtshali (uMabhalane
wezokuPhathwa kweZindlu) no Sifiso Gumede
(uMabhalane wezokuPhathwa kweZindlu) yibona
abasebenza ehovisi elisEmpangeni kanti
batholakala ku-035 9075907/8/9.
Changes to Council
At the end of January 2007
Alderman Jan van der Westhuizen
(IFP) resigned from Council. The
Provincial Electoral Officer has
been informed of the vacancy in
the uMhlathuze Council as will
appoint a new councillor in terms
of the IFP’s proportional
representation list in due course.
The Municipality has expressed
its condolences to the family,
friends and colleagues of
Ncamisile Mthiyane (ANC), Ward
16 Councillor who has passed
away. Details of a by-election for
that ward will be advertised in
the media in due course.
The ANC has appointed
Councillor Get Mbanjwa onto
the uMhlathuze Executive
Committee following the
resignation of Councillor
Bhekinkosi Gumede (NADECO)
in November 2006.
UMnyango wezokuXhumanisa
uMphakathi noKwazisa uvule
amahovisi ezezindlu amancane
Esikhawini nasEmpangeni ukuze
umphakathi waseMhlathuze
welekeleleke kangcono.
Ihovisi elisEsikhawini
lingatholakala ehovisi loMphathi
weDolobha eduze komtapo
wezincwadi kanti elisEmpangeni
lisesakhiweni somtholampilo
esidala lapho kuqala khona
umgwaqo uPearce Crescent.
Omabili lamahovisi avula
ngoMsombuluko kuya
koLwesihlanu kusuka ngo 7:20
kuya ku 13:00 nango 13:30 kuya
ku 16:00.
E: To better serve the
uMhlathuze community the
Department of Community
Facilitation and Marketing has
opened satellite housing offices
in Esikhawini and Empangeni.
4
UGugu Ntombela (UMabhalane
wezokuPhathwa kweZindlu) kanye no David
Luthuli (UMabhalane oMkhulu wezeZindlu)
abasebenzela ehovisi lezezindlu elisEsikhwini
bangatholakala ku- 035 907 5850.
Ayanda Amabhuloho
Abahamba Ngezinyawo
Ezindaweni Zasemakhaya
Abakwa Ndawonye Networks Consulting Engineers
baqokwelwe ukuba benze lonke uhlaka lomsebenzi
babuye bameme amathenda okwakha amabhuloho
abahamba ngezinyawo njengomsebenzi oqhubekayo
wokuthuthukisa umphakathi weDolobha.
Ngo 2006 uMkhandlu nabakwa Ndawonye Networks
bemukela imiklomelo ye-Institution of Municipal
Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA) kanye
neSouth African Association of Consulting Engineers
(SAACE) ngokusebenza okuqotho kwezobunjiniyela
ekuthuthukiseni umphakathi ngokwakha amabhuloho
abahamba ngezinyawo ezindaweni zasemakhaya.
Njengoba ukukhethelwa lomsebenzi kuyinxenye
yomsebenzi owenziwa ngaphambili yilabonjiniyela,
sebeyothola amaphuzu ngokuphinda benze umsebenzi
waloluhlobo.
E: nDawonye Networks Consulting
Engineers have been appointed to
carry out detail design and to
call for tenders for rural
pedestrian bridges as an
ongoing community
upliftment project for the City.

Making waste work for the City
Waste Management Services has started a simple yet resourceful
project, which provides an immediate and sustainable win-win
solution to all role players – the Municipality, the community, large
industry and the environment.
A Waste Management task team identified that the cutting
down of indigenous trees and plants for firewood is a problem in
the rural areas of the City. Although a programme of replanting
indigenous trees in these areas is underway, the larger and more
mature trees are being chopped down at an unsustainable rate.
Deputy Director of Waste Management Services, André Steffens
said his division saw a unique gap in the waste cycle that would
combat this by providing the rural communities with an alternative
source of firewood – wood from pallets and crates used by industry.
Mr Steffens explains: “Many of our industries receive a large
amount of goods on pallets or in crates. Once unpacked, these
pallets and crates become a waste product and the industries
would be required to pay to deliver this waste to the old Alton
landfill site.
“However, we have entered into an agreement with industries
to deliver this wood to a centralized area at the old Alton landfill
site. People have been trained and equipment has been purchased
to enable them to further process the wood crates and pallets.
Damaged pallets and unusable wood is placed in designated skips
for distribution to the rural nodes for firewood.
“Pallets that are not damaged are made available to the
community and are used as building material. We have two
structures being built with this wood at present. I am pleased to
say that the communities have responded positively to the project
and are making use of the waste wood. We are currently serving
the rural areas of Ngwelezane, Nseleni as well as
Esikhawini/Mandlankala, Mzingazi, Mandlazini, KwaDlangezwa
and Matshana,” he said.
Mr Steffens added that industry is able to use their involvement
in the recycling project to their benefit in terms of their
environmental responsibilities of ISO14001 and reducing waste
sent to landfill. Likewise the City and the environment benefits
because of the waste minimization and the protection of our
indigenous trees.
Mr Steffens said that Council’s commitment in terms of the
Polokwane Declaration is demonstrated through this initiative.
Appeal to stop vandalism
of litterbins
Clear Channel Advertising, the company contracted by the
Municipality to provide street litterbins, is experiencing
increased problems due to vandals defacing the advertising
on the bins with graffiti and posters.
The company is appealing to the public not to vandalise
the litterbins as they have been strategically placed throughout
the urban areas of the City to benefit the community. Business
and individuals also pay for the opportunity to advertise on
the litterbins and it is unfair that this advertising should be
defaced.
Anyone with information about the vandalism of street
litterbins is asked to please contact Ann Dillon of Clear
Channel Advertising on 083 488 9945 or 035-7722237.
5
An excerpt of the Polokwane Declaration:
“…Declare that government, business and civil society
need to join in common efforts toward the accomplishment
of the goal for reduction of waste generation and disposal
by 50% and 25% respectively by 2012 and engage in the
following actions:
(3) Development and implementation of a Legislative
and Regulatory Framework to promote waste avoidance,
prevention, reduction, re-use and recycle.”
Pallets being sorted at the old Alton landfill site
Waste Management Services delivers broken pallets to the
rural communities for use as firewood
CCTV tender awarded
Rob Anderson and Associates has been appointed to
complete the planning and design phase of the CCTV
Camera Project as well as install the project, subject
to Council’s approval for the implementation phase.
The consultants were appointed to perform the
initial evaluation of the CCTV Camera Project and it
was felt that renewing this appointment would ensure
continuity throughout the project.
Professional fees have been
negotiated and a report is to
serve before Council shortly
outlining the timeframes of the
project and by when the first
cameras will be installed and
operational.

Ward committee success for City
Public participation in the activities
of local government is a Constitutional
imperative with which all
Municipalities must comply. The
Municipal Structures Act prescribes
Ward Committees as the legal first
level of community involvement in
the affairs of the Municipality.
The Council of uMhlathuze
adopted the Ward Committee system
and committed itself to nurture and
empower the capacity of all Ward
Committee members to ensure
meaningful participation. The
Department of Community
Facilitation and Marketing (DCF&M)
appears to be fulfilling this Council
mandate with flying colours.
The process for electing,
inaugurating and training Ward
Committees was due to conclude by
March 2007. However, the
Community Facilitation Division in the
DCF&M had completed the process
by the end of November 2006 –
contrary to other municipalities who
are still struggling with the election
of Ward Committees.
Verteenwoordigers van ander munisipaliteite gaan die
Stad tussen 25 Maart en 30 Maart hierdie jaar besoek
as deel van ‘n Ewekniehersiening van die Kennis
Uitruilprogram om die toestand van plaaslike regering
in uMhlathuze te ondersoek.
Dìt volg na die Raad se goedkeuring vir die
Munisipaliteit se deelname in die Kennis Uitruilprogram
en veral die Plaaslike Leernetwerk in September verlede
jaar. Die Departement van Proivinsiale en Plaaslike
Regering en die Suid-Afrikaanse Plaaslike
Regeringsvereniging het gesamentlik hierdie
netwerkgroepe gevorm ten einde kennisuitruiling tussen
munisipaliteite te bevorder.
Die Hoof Uitvoerende Beampte, Dr Tonie Heyneke,
het gesê dat deelnemers aan hierdie proses die Stad
se beleid, prosesse, stelsels en uitvoering sal bestudeer
tydens die groepshersiening. “Daarna sal die
groephersieners ‘n verslag oor hulle bevindinge aan
die uMhlathuze Munisipaliteit voorlê. Ons sal die verslag
ontleed en ‘n plan saamstel om die nodige en toepaslike
verbeteringe aan te wend.”
Hy het bygevoeg: “Die doelwit van die
ewekniehersiening is dat plaaslike regering hulself
A total of three hundred Ward
Committee members were elected
between May and July 2006. The
inauguration of these members was
held on 26 October 2006 and was
well attended by both Councillors
and Ward Committee members.
Training of 214 Ward Committee
members took place between 16
October 2006 and 22 November
2006. The DCF&M has made special
arrangements for the 86 outstanding
members to attend training at the
beginning of March 2007 and is
awaiting confirmation of attendance
from those members.
For the first time training was well
conducted by an inter-departmental
team of officials from uMhlathuze
Municipality, as traditionally Ward
Committee training has always been
outsourced. The evaluation forms
completed after each session and
compliments received by the team
from committee members and
Councillors who attended the sessions
confirms the quality and relevance of
the training. The modules covered in
6
the training included: Introduction to
Local Government, Legislative
Framework, Council Decision-making
Cycle, Community Participation, IDP,
Budget and Managing Successful
Meetings.
Certificates of attendance will be
issued after the outstanding members
have been trained. The Community
Facilitation division extends its
gratitude to all who made the project
a success, particularly the heads of
department who released the interdepartmental
team members to
contribute towards the democratic
principle of empowering the nation
for good governance and the
improvement of the quality of life.
Munisipaliteit gaan deelneem aan Ewekniehersiening
behoort te help. So ‘n hersieninggsroep behoort daarom
nie gesien te word as inspekteurs nie, maar eerder as
krietiese vriende wie die Munisipaliteit besoek. Dit sal
die sterk punte en innoverings van die Munisipaliteit
identifiseer, maar ook die uitdagings en swak punte
uitlig. Boonop is nog ‘n doelwit om die ervaring met
ander munisipaliteite te deel en volgehoue verbetering
in alle munisipaliteite te bervorder.”
Uitvoerende leiers (raadslede), senior bestuur,
middelvlak bestuur, kantoorstaf, arbeid, Nie-Regerings
organisasies, besighede en die plaaslike regering sal
tydens die groepshersiening geraadpleeg word. As
gevolg van die intensiewe program van onderhoude,
werkswinkels en besoeke wat deel uitmaak van die
Groepshersiening, is die Direkteur van Bestuursdienste,
Simon Mashabane, aangestel as die plaaslike
koördineerder.
E: Representatives of other municipalities will be
visiting the City between 25 March and 30 March 2007
as part of a peer review by the Knowledge Sharing
Programme to ascertain the state of local governance
in uMhlathuze.

Council to consider terms of reference for Marina
The Department of Planning and Sustainable Development
will be submitting a report to Council in due course to obtain
approval of the terms of reference for the proposed Richards
Bay Waterfront and Marina development.
This follows the successful completion of a Strategic
Environmental Assessment (SEA) by Arup (SA) and CBI Joint
Venture during 2006, which included public participation with
interested and affected parties including Mhlathuze Water,
the National Ports Authority, the Department of Agriculture
and Environmental Affairs, Propnet as well as sporting clubs
in the area.
Included in the footprint of the proposed Waterfront and
Marina development is:
• Erf 225 Umhlathuzi No. 16232 excluding the portion
currently forming part of the Mzingazi canal.
• A portion of remainder of Erf 5333 extending from
proposed portion 83 of Erf 5333 in the north, south west
of Bayview Boulevard southwards to remainder of Erf 2627
Richards Bay, down to the high water mark of Richards
Bay and westwards to the boundary of Erf 225 Umhlathuze
No. 16232.
• Portion of remainder of Erf 2627 Richards Bay extending
from south west of Bayview Boulevard to the access road
to Alkantstrand and back along the boundary with the
remainder of the Farm Richards Bay No 16990.
• Portion of the remainder of the Farm Richards Bay No
16990 which falls between remainder of Erf 2627 Richards
Bay, the access road to Alkantstrand, across the land
currently leased to the Richards Bay Ski Boat Club and
northwards along the high water mark of Richards Bay.
uMhlathuze Municipality
took delivery of a new
mayoral vehicle in
January when Ritchie
Landrover in Empangeni
presented Mayor Denny
Moffatt with a Landrover
Discovery V8 HSE.
The Landrover
Discovery, priced just over R500 000, is a change from the
traditional luxury cars that have been Council’s preferred choice
for a number of years. Deputy City Electrical Engineer: Support
Services, Gert Cronje explains: “We decided to call for tenders
for a SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) this time around to enable the
mayor to better service all the community’s in the City including
those in the outskirts that have gravel roads. Disappointingly
only two companies submitted tenders but we are more than
happy with our new vehicle.”
Although the Landrover Discovery now carries the NRB 1
registration plate, the previous NRB 1 has not been put out to
pasture. Instead the silver E250D Mercedes Benz is now NRB
3 and has been retained for the official use of the Deputy Mayor
and Speaker.
7
• Erf 228 Umhlathuzi No 16235 and unsurveyed reclaimed
land forming the site known as Pelican Island and including
the causeway leading to the site.
According to Hennie Smit of Planning and Sustainable
Development once the terms of reference have been approved
the way forward will be for the Municipality to initiate the
tender process.
Added Mr Smit: “Once the tender for the marina
development has been awarded we are hopeful that it will
act as a catalyst for other development in the area including
further development of the Small Craft Harbour. The marina
should also place more emphasis on the need for a passenger
terminal.”
The areas for development of the proposed Waterfront and
Marina in Richards Bay
A change from tradition for new mayoral vehicle
“The E250D Mercedes Benz is a limited edition 1998 model
that has less than 72 000km on the clock, so it makes more
economic sense to keep her in service than to put her on
auction,” said Mr Cronje.
Chief Executive Officer, Dr Tonie Heyneke looks on as Mayor
Denny Moffatt receives the keys to the new mayoral vehicle
from Corné Rademan of Ritchie Landrover.

Avoid being an ‘illegal’ Outdoor Advertiser
The Department of Community
Facilitation and Marketing is tightening
up its management of outdoor
advertising and those making use of
this medium should read on to avoid
having their advertising material
confiscated.
Outdoor Advertising Officer,
Shernon Williams explains the
importance of managing outdoor
advertising. “Outdoor advertising
generates an income for Council and it
would be unfair to allow some people
to erect advertising without following
the proper channels when the majority
of people come into our offices to apply.
“Council’s Outdoor Advertising
policy also ensures that the town is kept
tidy and that banners and advertising
boards are not placed at points where
they may pose a danger to passing
motorists or pedestrians.”
Eleven banner points have been
identified in the City. These are located
at:
• The entrance to Meerensee
• Anglers Rod/Krewelkring
intersection, Meerensee
• Davidson Lane/Bayview Boulevard,
Meerensee
• Saligna/Via Richardia, Arboretum
• Bullion Boulevard/North Central
Arterial, Richards Bay CBD
• Alumina Allee/Geleiergang, Alton
• Via Davalia/North Central Arterial,
Brackenham
• Weigelia/Via Verbena, Veldenvlei
• North Central Arterial/Via
Ammannia, Aquadene
• Frank Bull/Baines Road, Empangeni
• Bullion Boulevard/Guldengracht
(opposite Slimline Pools)
Those wanting to erect banners at
these points need to first apply at the
Municipality. A charge of R82 excluding
VAT is levied (with the exception of
Hospice, SPCA and SA National Blood
Donors) and banners must be of a noncommercial
nature.
Those wanting to apply to display a
banner can contact Shernon Williams
on 035-907 5401 (Richards Bay) and
Mduduzi Dludla on 035-907 5000
(Empangeni).
Likewise those businesses or estate
agents wanting to erect signs must first
apply for permission by filling in a form,
pay the appropriate fee and receive an
official sticker for the sign so that it is
not confiscated.
Estate agents are only allowed to
place ‘For sale’ signs in front of the
relevant property, on the boundary of
Council-owned land, for 30 days after
which it will be confiscated. If the sign
is to remain for longer the estate agent
needs to apply to the Municipality to
display a permanent ground sign.
Outdoor Advertising Officer, Shernon
Williams with confiscated advertising
material that had not been applied for.
8
Show boards can be erected over
weekends and public holidays at a cost
of R840 excluding VAT per year.
Two contractors (i.e. Sign Force and
DOT Marketing) have been appointed
to assist with the removal of illegal
signage. Inspections will be done on a
daily basis throughout the City.
Anyone who is missing an advertising
board, and believes it may have been
confiscated, is welcome to contact the
Outdoor Advertising Officer to reclaim
it. A relevant recovery/storage fee will
be charged.
Signs informing those wanting to advertise
that they first have to apply to the
Municipality have been posted as various
highly visible points throughout the City.
Amathanga AseMadlazini Azolungiswa
UMkhandlu uqoke abalwa-Amfra Maintenance ukwenza umsebenzi wokulungisa
amathange aseMandlazini ngesamba sezigidi ezingama R2,9. Lomsebenzi
ubandakanya ukuvikelwa kokuthomba kwamapayipi, ukufakelwa kophahla
lokhonkolo ethangini lesibili kanye nezinsika zobonda nokulungiswa
kwephevumente namapayipi okuchitha amanzi aseduze namathange.
Umsebenzi uqale phakathi noFebruary kanti ngokwesivumelwano kumele
uthathe izinyanga ezine. UMkhandlu ucele ukuba kube nokuxhumana okukhulu
nabasebenzi boMzingazi Waterworks kanye nabakwa
Mhlathuze Water kulesisikhathi ukuze kungabi
nokuphazamiseka okukhulu ekuphakelweni
kwamanzi emphakathini.
E: Structural repair work to the Mandlazini
reservoirs started in mid-February. Council
appointed Amfra Maintenance to carry out the
work in the amount of R2,9 million.

Planning for Hillview
Council is planning a medium income residential
development, with the potential of about 200
properties, on a portion of land between the
Empangeni CBD and the regional prison.
The land is about 21 hectares in extent and is
Portion 7 of Erf 7955 Hillview, Empangeni. The
appointed town planners, Ndebele Kirby Planners,
have already successfully obtained environmental
authorisation for the development and have
submitted a Development Facilitation Act (DFA)
application.
At the DFA pre-hearing at the end of 2006 the
Tribunal requested that:
• City Engineer confirms that the sewage works
has the capacity to accept further waste.
• Council confirms how the land will be serviced,
either by a private developer or by the Municipal
departments. The Municipal departments would
have to confirm their capacity to deal with the
provision of services.
• Council provides a letter confirming the level of
services that will be supplied.
These requests were satisfactorily addressed in
time for the DFA hearing on 23 January, which was
one of the most successful hearings the Municipality
has had to date, according to Lisl van Aarde of the
Department of Planning and Sustainable
Development.
She said no objections were made and the
tribunal only asked a few questions for clarity. From
these questions it appears likely that a condition
will be that the Municipality will have to make
provision for a worship site as part of the
development or nearby in the vicinity of the existing
mosque.
Likewise the provision of street lighting and
pedestrian walkways along the Western Bypass was
also raised.
Ms van Aarde said all that remains now is for
Council to determine whether the development
will go out on tender to a private developer or
whether the Municipality will develop the land and
sell the residential units upon completion.
Work starts on Phase 2
of Gemini outfall upgrade
development Afriscan Construction has been awarded the R5,9 million contract for
Phase 2 of the Gemini outfall storm water upgrade in Empangeni
Phase 1 of the project was completed in the 2004/2005 financial
year and work included replacing two existing culverts under Gemini
Drive with three larger pre-cast portal culverts placed side by side.
Steps were also taken to prevent erosion of the sidewalls of the stream
as well as the streambed on the downstream side of the culvert.
During Phase 2 a 900m section of the stream between President
Swart Avenue and Gemini Drive will be canalized. This will make it easier
to remove silt and vegetation to maintain the stream as well as protect
sewer mains running alongside the stream from collapsing due to soil
erosion. Other work will include the refurbishment of storm water inlets,
sewer manholes and replacing sections of damaged sewer pipes.
Due to the specifications provided in the Record of Decision for
Phase 2 only specific materials and methods will be used to minimize
any environmental impact.
The construction period for Phase 2 is seven months.
Richards Bay Clean Air
Association: December 06
SO2 guideline exceedances
There were three measured exceedances of the DEAT 10-min average standard
and two exceedances of the hourly SANS limit value for SO2 during December.
DEAT 10-min average exceedances (> 191 ppb)
Station Date SO2 (ppb) wind direction wind speed Most likely source
Scorpio 11/12/2006 23:40 346.6 252 1.2 Hillside Aluminium 53%
It must be noted that even though there were only five measured exceedances
during the reporting period, the HAWK model predictions show that other areas may
have experienced exceedances within the month of December. It is not possible to
measure actual SO2 concentrations everywhere and as a result, the HAWK model
is used as a predictive measure for determining the levels of SO2 in Richards Bay.
AIR QUALITY COMPLAINTS
A total of 10 air quality complaints were received for December 2006.
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
9
RBCAA Number of complaints per month
Mondi 47%
Scorpio 11/12/2006 23:50 471.2 257 1.7 Hillside Aluminium 51%
Mondi 49%
Scorpio 12/12/2006 06:50 222.2 0 1.8 Hillside Aluminium 99%
SANS hourly average exceedances (> 134 ppb)
Station Date SO2 (ppb) wind direction wind speed Most likely source
Harbour
West 03/12/2006 22:00 149.3 323 6.3 Hillside Aluminium 54%
Mondi 31%
Foskor 10%
Scorpio 11/12/2006 23:00 143.6 239 1.0 Hillside Aluminium 72%
Mondi 28%
2004 2005 2006
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

International Eco-Schools concept
succeeding in Zululand
What is an Eco-School?
Eco-Schools originated in Europe in
1994 and now 37 countries participate.
The South African initiative focuses on
environmental learning in schools. Eco-
Schools assist teachers and learners to
link expected learning outcomes in the
curriculum to environmental educational
activities that will enhance school
environments and sustainability.
In the 2 1/2 years since Eco-Schools
South Africa was launched, the number
of schools registered has increased from
56 in 2003 to 762 schools in 2006. The
Eco-Schools Programme, supported by
WWF-SA and WESSA, is funded by
Nampak. It was developed in
partnership with the Department of
Education in line with the Revised
National Curriculum Statement (RNCS).
When schools register with Eco-
Schools, teachers and learners commit
to an ongoing process, developing
lesson and school improvement plans
in three chosen focus areas. They record
their progress in a portfolio, which are
assessed at the end of a year. Successful
schools gain Eco-School status and are
awarded a green flag. Their status is reassessed
annually, so the programme
must be sustained.
Zululand Eco-Schools
On 27 October 2006 the first Zululand
Eco-School Conference was hosted at
Twinstreams Environmental Education
Centre in Mtunzini. Thirteen schools
presented Eco-School projects. These
schools have been supported
throughout the year by WESSA with
resources from sponsors such as BHP
Billiton (Project GREEN), Old Mutual
(Out of the Box Programme), World
Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Nampak
and the Eskom Energy & Sustainability
Program.
Zululand Eco-School Highlights
Some of the highlights of the 2006
Schools projects were:
• Grade 3 learners at John Wesley
designed and built “Eco-Benches”
from glass bottles and clay during
their recycling project.
• Gingingdlovu Primary learnt about
bio-gas and ethanol as alternative
forms of energy.
• Felixton College calculated their
carbon debt. They implemented an
energy saving strategy.
• Zithume High is establishing a carbon
sink in Obanjeni by planting
indigenous trees sponsored by Ticor
SA.
• In May Qhubandaba Primary School
celebrated the birds of South Africa
with a Migratory Bird Farewell Party
which won them a library worth
R20 000 from SASOL and Birdlife
South Africa.
• Nhlagenyuka and Mbonambi Primary
schools built chicken tractors to help
care for the soil in their vegetable
gardens.
Nhlagenyuka Primary learning about
decomposition and improving soil quality
• Nhlabane Primary learnt about water,
and made water filters for their taps
at school. Dokodweni Primary also
learnt about water. They made
10
beaded water badges to encourage
learners to conserve water resources
at school and at home.
• Obanjeni Primary built a weather
station in their school and learnt
about climate change.
• Kati Primary implemented a recycling
scheme. Their grade 1 – 4’s started
their own vegetable gardens. They
also planted about 100 indigenous
plants during Arbor Day. Aquadene
Secondary designed and planted
indigenous medicinal gardens in their
school grounds.
• Sagewood Preparatory celebrated
many environmental days and their
learners are participating in a first
aid course.
To learn more contact Regional
Coordinator Cherise Acker-Pritchard on
035-340 2511 or the National Eco-
Schools coordination team, Caroline
Conway-Physick and Bridget Ringdahl,
Tel 033 3303931 Email
ecoschools@wessa.co.za or PO Box 394,
Howick, 3290.
Environment
al Watchdog
articles are
written by
members of
the Mtunzini
Conservancy
How will the Eco-Schools
Programme benefit a
school?
This curriculum-based programme
offers opportunities to:
• Improve the school
environment while reducing
litter & waste
• Build young people's
confidence and sense of
citizenship through
participation
• Increase environmental
awareness
• Involve the local community
• Reduce costs by saving water
and energy
• Gain local publicity
• Develop relationships with
other Eco-Schools around the
world.

New NSRI base takes shape
Construction of a new base for the Richards Bay National
Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is well under way and on track
with contractors already having completed the substructure
and piling for the jetty.
Terry Chrystal of nDawonye Networks, the project
managers of the new base, said work on the retaining walls
started at the beginning of February and those who drive
along Commodore Close will now see the project really
starting to take shape.
Barring any major weather upsets the project is scheduled
for completion at the end of June 2007. Mr Chrystal said
the base was specifically designed with a dedicated slipway
and a boathouse so that the rescue boats – the Spirit of
Richards Bay, Spirit of Round Table and Rotary Ann – can
be stored indoors and out of the water for their protection.
This is particularly necessary for the Spirit of Richards Bay,
which would cost between R8 and R12 million to replace.
Other specifications include a garage to house the NSRI’s
Landrover Defender, a rescue co-ordination centre/ radio
and navigation room, workshop and storage facilities, change
rooms and ablutions for male and female crew, an
administration office, a lecture hall, a kitchen, re-fuelling
facilities, an oil and diesel storage depot and a secure area
for storing additional vessels for limited periods.
Greg Hendricks of Theunissen Jankowitz Architects, who
is the principal architect for the rescue base, explained that
the design and planning of the new NSRI base called for
much interaction and intensive co-ordination between the
NSRI and the project consultants.
“This is a highly technical building and called for planning
that would simplify the processes of future rescue operations
as well as to showcase the function of the NSRI. The form
of the building was influenced by its methodical functioning,
which is to be divided into two use zones viz. Public and
Operational zones. Visual transparency has been maintained
between these two areas in order to showcase the rescue
boats to visitors without interrupting rescue operations.
“Robust building materials and finishes were carefully
selected for use at the new base as the building will be
exposed to most of the prevailing harsh weather conditions
at the harbour. A greater part of the front facade is to consist
of glazing making surveillance from the upper floor easier
as well as adding to the transparency of the building to
viewers from Pelican and Naval Islands.
“Station 19 has a remarkable history in this area, having
served the community since 1976 and we aim to give the
community a rescue base of which to be very proud.”
According to Quantity Surveyor, Marten Hiemstra of
Hiemstra & De Villiers, the base building is 848 square
metres in extent and will make use of 100 000 bricks and
310 cubic metres of concrete. This excludes the materials
that will be used for the slipway.
Dicks Construction has been awarded the contract for
construction of the building and Franki Piling was appointed
for the piling works. Contractors still have to be appointed
to supply concrete and provide dredging services necessary
for the slipway. Dredging is necessary due to the deep draft
(-3.6msl) of the Spirit of Richards Bay but the developers
11
are working closely with the Department of Environmental
Affairs and Forestry to ensure strict controls are followed
during this phase.
Although the NSRI has received Lotto funding for the
new base it still has a substantial shortfall that it needs to
raise to cover the cost of the project. Richards Bay Coal
Terminal is the largest sponsor to-date having given
R500 000 at the end of 2006 and Richards Bay Minerals has
also shown its support of the project.
Other companies, or those who use the sea for
recreational purposes and rely on the NSRI’s services and
would like to support the project are asked to please contact
Muriel Bartlett, the NSRI’s Marketing Director in Cape Town
on 082 994 7555.

University to present
City Campus concept
to councillors
A delegation from the University of
Zululand has been invited to present
the University’s City Campus concept
and the specific land requirements to
Council on Tuesday, 6 March 2007 at
17:00.
The University is busy implementing
its renewed mission to become a
comprehensive institution offering
technikon-type programmes. Its future
growth is seen in career-focused
programmes in northern KwaZulu-Natal
in general and uMhlathuze, as an
aspiring metro council, in particular.
Over the next three years the
University of Zululand intends to
develop a fully-fledged satellite campus
at the Richards Bay Central Business
District offering programmes initially
in Commerce and Law.
This satellite campus will have
appropriate resources in the form of
full time staff members, an adequate
and properly resourced library and
purpose built lecture venues. It is felt
that the business community in
Richards Bay, Empangeni and
surrounding towns will welcome such
a development as at present the Kwa
Dlangezwa campus is some distance
from the urban centres and therefore
not easily accessible to prospective
students who wish to study on a part
time basis in the evenings.
It is envisaged that at first Bachelor’s
Degrees, Certificates and Diplomas in
Business and Law will be offered at the
new City Campus and later on
programmes in industrial technology
and engineering.
Municipality to host talk by Olympic swimmer
The Municipality’s Department of Parks, Sport and Recreation has secured
South African Olympic swimmer, Charlene Wittstock to speak at an event
to be held on Saturday, 3 March 2007.
The event will be held at 14:00 in the auditorium at the Richards Bay
Civic Centre where Charlene will discuss various topics including women
in training, nutrition, recovery, mental preparation for a race, monitoring
performance and health, trial and error (learning from your mistakes) and
discovering your own perfect technique. There will also be time for questions.
Limited seats are available and those interested in attending are asked
to contact Nadine on 072 600 2911 to reserve a seat.
12
Important uMhlathuze
Municipality telephone
numbers
Most of the telephone numbers for the uMhlathuze
Municipality have changed due to an upgrade.
Here is a list of emergency numbers and other
important numbers for you to cut out and keep
somewhere for future reference. In case of
uncertainty, the main switchboard in Richards Bay
can be reached by dialling 035-9075000
uMhlathuze News - Also on: www.richemp.org.za
Correspondence: Mr Cedric Koekemoer, Private Bag X1004, Richards Bay 3900. Tel (035) 907 5406.
E-mail: ckoekemoer@richemp.org.za
Articles, co-ordination: Gillian Readman, Mevamhlope Communications. Tel 0836420020.
E-mail: greadman@iafrica.com Design and Layout: Alliance! Graphic Design Printing: DNA Print