2012/10-October 2012 - City of uMhlathuze

uMhlathuze News
Official newsletter of the uMhlathuze Municipality
October 2012
Abaholi BeDolobha Bakhulekela Abafundi
Bakamatikuletsheni
Amakhulu ngamakhulu abafundi bakamatikuletsheni
abebeqhamuka kuzozonke izindawo zeDolobha bahlangana
eKolishi lase-Umfolozi FET eSikhaleni ekuqaleni kwalenyanga
njengoba abaholi beDolobha bahlangana nabaholi bezenkolo
abehlukene ukuzokhulekela abafundi asebeqalile ukubhala
ukuhlolwa kwabo okubalulekile enkambweni yabo
kwezemfundo.
Owayemelele uMnyango wezeMfundo, emlayezweni wakhe
wokwesekela abafundi wathi ikilasi likamatikuletsheni lika
2012 linomsebenzi omkhulu emahlombe alo njengoba
labafundi belungiselela ukuhlolwa kwabo kokugcina kanti
kudingeka baziqoqe ukuze baqiniseke ukuthi bafunda
ngokwanele ukuze bavune amaphuzu amahle kakhulu ukuze
bona uqobo, abazali babo, uMnyango wezeMfundo kanye
nezwe baziqhenye.
Enkulumweni yakhe, iSekela-Meya waseMhlathuze uZethu
Gumbi wakhuthaza abafundi bakamatikuletsheni ukuba
baziphathele bona ikusasa labo. Wathi, “Asiqiniseke ukuthi
sinaka ukuhlolwa kwethuu manje sidlale emva kwalokho.
Ngisho kanje ngoba ngazi kahle kamhlophe ukuthi izinqumo
ozithathe manje ziyoba nomthelela kulokho oyobayikho
kusasa.”
Wachaza ukuthi abafundi bakamatikuletsheni sebezoqala
uhambo olude kanti igumbi lokuhlolwa liybhuloho lokudlulela
phambili. Wathi, “Uma niqala ukuhlolwa kwenu, niqala umzila
lapho nivalelisa khona empilweni yenu yezikole eziphakeme
ningene enkundleni lapho izinga lomcintiswano liphakeme
kakhulu.
Abaningi benu kuzodingeka bashiyeabazali babo bayofunda
ezikhungweni ezingaphandle kwaKwaZulu-Natal kanti kubo
kuzobe kungokokuqala ngqa empilweni yabo ukuba bathathe
izinqumo ngaphandle kokusizwa ngabazali babo.”
In this issue
Abaholi BeDolobha Bakhulekela Abafundi
Bakamatikuletsheni ..........................................1
Air quality monitoring for Felixton....................2
Strong financial controls reap rewards ............3
John Ross Highway pushed out five months...3
Pay camera traffic fines into correct account...4
Outdoor advertising contracts awarded ...........4
Abaninimizi Abebedukile Babuyile....................4
Wenezelela ngokuthi abafundi kumele baphumelele
ngamalengiso ukuthokozisa abazali babo kanye nekusasa
labo uqobo. Waqhuba wathi, “Abazali benu abaningi badonsa
kanzima, abanye abanayo imali yokuniqhuba niye emanyuvesi,
ngakho-ke niyacelwa ukuba nihlangabezane nabo ngokuba
okokuqala nenze kahle ezifundweni zenu okwesibili ngokuba
nifake izicelo zemifundaze.”
Continued on page 2
Gardeners reap rewards at Agri Market............5
Municipal Waste Management Employees
Vulnerable To Injuries ......................................6
City grants consent for rural housing
project..............................................................6
Raad maak reg om nog grond te verkoop in
die SSK ............................................................6
City plans more effective management of
complaints .......................................................7
Have you taken precautions against rabies? ....7
RBIDZ launches Stage 2 ..................................8
Gemeenskapsaksie...........................................9
City given energy efficient lighting grant..........9
RBCAA Monthly Report: August 2012 .............9
Clinics provide sexuality education ................10
Dates to Diarise..............................................10
School uniform vouchers handed out ............11
Traffic Section responds to media
allegations......................................................11
Schools go green for Arbor Month ................12
Important uMhlathuze Municipality telephone
numbers ........................................................12

Continued from page 1
UKhansela uGumbi wabuye wakhuthaza abafundi ukuba
basebenzise isikhwama sikaZwelonke sokuSiza abaFundi
ngeZimali (iNSFAS) kanye nezinye izinsiza zikahulumeni ezisiza
intsha ukuba iqhube izifundo zayo.
Wathi, “Niyikusasa lalelizwe nethemba kubazali benu.
Njengabazali benu sithanda ukunibona niyiziMeneja eziPhezulu
zokuPhatha, iziphathimandla eziphezulu kuhulumeni nibe
ngabaphakathi bamabhizinisi enu. Nginifisela izilokotho ezinhle
kukho konke enikwenzayo kanti angingabazi ukuthi
nizophumelela kahle nenze iDolobha nabazali benu baziqhayise
ngani.”
Ngokunjalo imikhuleko yayiholwa ngabefundisi bamahlelo
aseLuthela, Nazareth Baptist, amaWeseli, Church of God,
Seven Day Adventist, amaZayoni, amaSheshi namaKhatholika
kanti ikhwaya yesikole iKhandlela yiyona eyayinandisa ngomculo
omtoti.
Air quality monitoring for Felixton
The Richards Bay Clean Air Association
has expanded its air quality monitoring
field to include Felixton, home to two of
its industry members, Tongaat Hulett
Sugar and Mpact.
The new monitoring station, which
cost almost R500 000, has been located
within the community of Felixton on the
grounds of Felixton College and is
equipped, at this stage, to monitor sulphur
dioxide (SO2) emissions and particulates
(PMTO).
Also attached atop the air quality
monitoring station is an anemometer to
measure wind speed and direction, which
would assist in identifying the source of
emissions in the event they exceed
guidelines.
RBCAA Public Officer and Vice
Chairman, Sandy Camminga said: "When
we looked at expanding our area of
monitoring Felixton was the obvious
choice with two of our members operating
in close proximity to the community and
a school. This new station will provide
more value to Tongaat Hulett Sugar and
Mpact. The station’s location within the
Felixton College grounds would also
create awareness among scholars as well
as provide an educational model.
"The RBCAA has no regulatory
powers but the data collected can be used
in determining the future of our area. All
our data is also uploaded to the South
African Air Quality Information System
(SAAQIS).
"At this stage the station only
measures SO2 levels, which are relayed
to Richards Bay, and particulates which
are collected on a regular basis as well
as wind speed and direction. There is
space for more monitoring equipment to
be added in the future," said Camminga.
Chairman, Fred Philips expressed the
organisation’s thanks to Felixton College
for providing the site for the monitoring
station. “There can be no better site than
where the station is located as it lies within
2
E: Hundreds of matriculants from across the City gathered
at the Umfolozi FET College campus in eSikhaleni earlier this
month as the City leadership joined forces with various religious
leaders to pray for the learners, who are about to start writing
the most important examinations of their school career.
sight of the two major factories in the area
and we are grateful to the College for their
assistance.”
According to Felixton College
Headmaster, Ken Krige, learners at the
school would benefit from the new
monitoring station. "The station would be
a valuable source of information to be
used in completing projects in both the
Earth and Human Sciences for students
in the next school year. Besides the station
on the school grounds, further information
can be extracted from the RBCAA
website."
Introducing the new RBCAA air quality monitoring station located at Felixton College
were RBCAA Public Officer and Vice Chairman, Sandy Camminga; Felixton College
Headmaster, Ken Krige and RBCAA Chairman, Fred Philips.

Strong financial controls reap rewards
According to budget reporting the City of uMhlathuze ended
the financial year on 30 June 2012 with a R19,5 million surplus,
a positive turnaround compared to the expected R15 million
deficit that was initially budgeted.
Commenting on the unaudited financial statements that
were tabled before the Executive Committee at the beginning
of October, Mayor Elphas Mbatha said: "It has been quite a
good year if you look at the figures. I'd like to thank every
department because we were very hard on you but the financial
controls are now in place and working."
The financial statements indicate that the liquidity ratios
have improved significantly. At the end of the 2011 financial
year the City had cash-in-hand of R39,5 million, which included
R24,5 million in unspent conditional grants from government.
This year the City has cash-in-hand reserves of R157,2 million
of which R47 million is unspent conditional government grants.
Chief Financial Officer, Mxolisi Kunene said: "There are
various reasons why this R47 million has not been spent and
these have been fully motivated to government by the user
departments to ensure that the funds are not withdrawn or held
back during the current financial year."
Other positives are that the City is building up its working
capital reserves and capital replacement reserves. While the
capital replacement reserve is more dynamic with a moving
target, the City is targeting a Working Capital Reserve of oneand-a-half
times the average operational creditors and is half
way to achieving this. The progress in terms of these objectives
is clearly visible, with the Capital Replacement Reserve
contributing R40m to the current years Capital Budget compared
to the R8.3m for the previous year. With regard the Working
Capital Reserve, this stands at 1 times the average monthly
expenses, which equates to 66% of the Targeted 1.5 times
average monthly expenses.
3
The strong results are an indication that the cash flow
recovery strategy, which forms part of the Municipality's
Turnaround Strategy implemented at the height of the cash
flow crisis, is in action and is succeeding. Part of this strategy
involves reducing pricing risk by increasing municipality tariffs
over a five year period to bring them in line with other
municipalities, but more significantly to make them cost reflective
in real terms. The sales of property, plant and equipment is also
excluded from operational revenue and redirected to capital
replacement revenue to build necessary reserves. In addition
human resource requirements are only filled according to the
availability of funds in a particular cost centre where the resource
is needed.
The extent of water and electricity losses in the City remains
a concern, however, the Department of Infrastructure and
Technical Services has embarked on an Asset Management
Plan, which is a work in progress, to alleviate these losses.
Similarly, while the status of the City's outstanding debt is
the best in the country compared to metropolitans and secondary
cities, it is of concern that 51% of debtors over 90 days are
residential customers. Of the City's R46,6 million total debt over
90 days at the end of June 2012, R23,8 million was owed by
residential customers. Commented Mr Kunene: "This is a sign
of the economic times in which we find ourselves, but it is
particularly alarming in the context that residential income only
accounts for 30% of total municipal income."
The financial statements have now been sent to the Auditor
General , from whom hopefully another unqualified opinion will
be forthcoming.
Mr Kunene said: "A clean audit is every municipality’s ultimate
goal and we are also striving towards it, although this target as
it is to date from an Accounting and Auditing Standard
perspective has not been defined technically."
John Ross Highway pushed out five months
Work on the John Ross Highway is running five months behind
schedule with the date of completion for the complicated
Empangeni Rail section postponed from February 2014 to
July 2014.
According to the report back given to project managers at
the John Ross Public Liaison Committee meeting earlier this
month, delays are attributed to bitumen shortages, slow subcontractors
and tender delays as well as cable and steel theft.
The R132 million contract awarded to Africon Construction
for the 1,6km section of Empangeni Rail includes the
construction of two new rail bridges as well as the relocation
of cables, storm water pipes and services to accommodate
the wider road and new intersections that are planned.
The relocation of existing services is expected to be finalised
by the end of this month while storm water provision at New
Tanner Road, layerworks at KFC, CTM and the regional
cemetery as well as backfilling of undercuts are next on the
schedule.
Meanwhile the public has been advised to start using
alternative routes to avoid delays and in light of future lane
closures and detours, which will be advertised in the local
media in due course. These will include one lane traffic in each
direction between Grantham Highway and New Tanner Road.
Commuters between Empangeni and Richards Bay as well
as those travelling from Empangeni to Durban are encouraged
to used Grantham Highway (North) and the N2 to avoid the
road works.
However, Stefan Kaffka of SSI Engineers and the resident
engineer for the Empangeni Rail section, said Africon would
like to finish the road widening in front of KFC and CTM so
that traffic can be deviated onto this new section before
continuing with storm water provision affecting the existing
pavement and road.
Good news is that up to the end of September 50 job
opportunities were created for local labour on the Empangeni
Rail section. A total of 45 males and five females were employed,
of which 35 were youth. An amount of over R458 000 was
spent on local wages.
More good news is that speed limit on certain sections of
the highway will soon be increased from 60km/h to 80km/h
and attention is to be given to repairing potholes on the existing
road between the N2 and Empangeni.

Pay camera traffic
fines into correct
account
Council has noticed that many residents are paying their
camera traffic fines into Council's rates account, which is
strictly for water and rates bills.
While Council appreciates that the new camera traffic
fine system is working well and residents are showing
increasing discipline in adhering to the City's speed limits,
those with fines need to pay their monies into the correct
account.
The account details are:
Account number : 4079286548
Bank: ABSA
Branch: Richards Bay
The above mentioned account is strictly for camera traffic
fines only and can be payable via EFT. Each payment
made must accompany a reference number which is the
ticket number; it commonly starts with RB/...
All enquiries relating to camera traffic fines may be
directed to:
Mr Zolile Poswa
The Manager Public Safety and Security
Tel: 035-9075265
Omunye umbiko mayelana nenqubekela-phambili kaMasipala
ukwenza izincomo ngombiko wabakwa Ngubane and Co.
owawubalula ukungahambi kahle ngokuVuselelwa kwamaHositela
eSikhaleni kanye nangowezeZindlu e-Umhlathuze Village
wethulelwe iKomidi eliPhezulu ekuqaleni kwalenyanga kanti
wawuphawula ngqo mayelana nabaninimizi ababedukile.
Ekuqaleni kuka 2009 kwafakwa izaziso ephepheni lendawo
lapho abaninimizi ababengatholakali babenikezwa izinsuku
ezingama 30 ukuba baphumele obala beze bazothola izindlu
zabo. Esibalweni sabaninimizi abangama 33 kwaqhamuka
abangama 20 kulabo okwakuthiwe badukile. Kwabe sekuthathwa
isinqumo sokwephulwa kwesivumelwano kulabo abayi 13
abangavelanga, ngaleyondlela kwacinywa nezivumelwano
zokuthengiselana.
Ngokwesinqumo somKhandlu-Dolobha ngalesosikhathi,
uMnyango wezeZindlu eKZN kwakudingeke ukuba utshelwe ukuthi
ususe amagama abaninimizi ababengatholakali oHlwini
lukaZwelonke lwezeZindlu bese kuthi izindlu ezisele zedluliselwe
kulabo abalandelayo abafanelekile.
Ngokombiko, ngenkathi amaHositela aseSikhaleni evuselelwa,
indawo yokuhlala labo ababesuswe kusakhiwa yagcwala.
Ngalesosizathu ezinye izakhamizi zahlaliswa ezindlini ezasezakhiwe
zaphela eMhlathuze Village zabaninimizi ababengatholakali.
Nokho-ke sekutholakele ukuthi ukusulwa kwamagama
4
Outdoor advertising
contracts awarded
Outdoor Network has been awarded a R1 million contract to
provide one hundred and fifty advertising panels at Councilapproved
street light poles over a five year period.
The contract includes the design, supply, erection,
maintenance and operation of the advertising panels. In
addition the contract is income generating and the Municipality
will secure a significant capital investment as well as derive
financial benefit from the contract.
A second contract to provide 500 litterbins at approved
intersections throughout the City over a five year period has
been awarded to Busse Brand Marketing in the amount of
R3,7 million.
Similarly this contract includes the design, supply, erection,
maintenance and operation of the litterbins and is also an
income generating contract for the Municipality.
The litterbin and street pole advertising contracts are both
effective from 1 October 2012 and have a roll out period of
three months.
Outdoor Advertising Officer, Shernon Murray said: "It should
be noted that due to the above mentioned two new contracts,
the services rendered by the previous contractor has been
terminated and interested parties who wish to make use of
these advertising media will need to contact the new suppliers."
For litterbin advertising contact Busse Brand Marketing's
Andrea Labuschagne on 035-7512624 or 0836524095.
Similarly Tammy Jordan of Outdoor Network can be contacted
on 0844314373 for street pole advertising.
Abaninimizi Abebedukile Babuyile
abaninimizi akwenzekanga kanti sebephinde baqhamuka abanye
abaninimizi ababengatholakalanga. Bane abaninimizi
asebeqhamukile bazofuna izindlu zabo eMhlathuze Village.
NgokweNqubomgomo yesiFundazwe mayelana nabaninimizi
abangatholakali nasebashona, uMkhandlu-Dolobha usungqume
ukuba labaninimizi abane kumele bangene ezindlini zabo
njengabanikazi ababhalisiwe. Laba abahlala kulezizindlu
okwamanje kumele banikwe ithuba lokuba bafake izicelo zezindlu
zomxhaso kahulumeni zesiGaba 7 eMhlathuze Village njengabantu
abadinga indawo uma sebeveze ubufakazi bokuthi bafakwa
ngokufanelekile kulezizindlu abahlala kuzo njengamanje.
Ukuze kube nobulungisa, uMkhandlu uhlose ukuthi kube
nesiqiniseko sokuthi abaninimizi bangene ngokufanelekile ezindlini
zabo ngokuba lokhu kukhangiswe ephepheni lendawo. Ngokunjalo
kumele kube nesikhathi esanele sokuba baxoxisane labo abahlezi
ezindlini njengamanje nalabobaninimizi ababhalisiwe, bebe besizwa
yiNxenye yokuHlaliswa kwaBantu mayelana nokuphuma ezndlini.
E: A further report regarding progress made by the Municipality
to implement the recommendations of the Ngubane and Co.
report into alleged irregularities with the eSikhaleni Hostel
Refurbishment and Umhlathuze Village Housing served before
the Executive Committee earlier this month and dealt specifically
with cases of missing beneficiaries.

Gardeners reap rewards at Agri Market
Vegetable gardeners supported by the Municipality's Agricultural
Support Programme once again offered residents a wide variety
of fresh, top quality produce when the Municipality hosted its
fifth annual Agricultural Market Day at the end of September.
Residents turned out in their numbers to support the
Agricultural Market and stock up on fresh vegetables grown
by our local gardeners and offered at very competitive prices.
About 25 gardeners representing garden projects from
across the City manned tables at the Market, which was held
adjacent to the Richards Bay Civic Centre. Produce included
cabbage, spinach, mfino (wild spinach) green peppers, carrots,
onions, spring onions, beetroot among others.
Nelisiwe Mnqayi and Musa Mkhize conclude a sale with Gugu
Nzuza and Lindiwe Cele
Some of the vegetable gardeners with their produce.
Ranjini Gengan buys her fresh vegetables from Zandile Mthethwa
of Ward 29
Linda van Dyk buys vegetables from Thoko Manzini of Zamani
Project in eNseleni.
Simphiwe Mbatha buys spinach from Bongiwe Mbatha Lea Zikhali assists Councillor Meera Sookroo to select vegetables.
5

Municipal Waste Management
Employees Vulnerable To Injuries
The City of uMhlathuze’s Waste Management has reported an
increasing number of municipal employees who get injured
during refuse collection in different areas around the City.
Municipal waste management staff have suffered cuts on hands
and other body injuries due to broken bottles that are thrown
into refuse bins. It is said these incidents occur when street
bin liners are removed for disposal by the Street Cleaners.
Although Street Cleaners wear safety gloves, sharp broken
bottles do pierce the plastic bin liners thus causing injuries.
Similarly, some residents throw broken glass bottles into refuse
trolley bins and these have resulted into facial as well as body
injuries when the refuse is being compacted by refuse trucks.
The City’s Waste Management Section would like to make
a plea to all residents to stop putting glass or broken glass
material into refuse bins. Cleopas Mathenjwa, Deputy Manager
for Waste Management Services said: “If it has to be done, at
least cover broken glass completely with paper in order to
City grants consent
for rural housing
project
uMhlathuze has consented for the Mfolozi Municipality to
construct government-funded low cost houses for the
community that lives on a parcel of land that belongs to,
and is located within, the uMhlathuze Municipality as part
of the Mfolozi Municipality's Mzingazi Rural Housing
Project.
The portion of land is approximately 18 hectares in
extent and consists of Erven 15079, 15081, 15083 and
12512 as extracted from the unapproved Mzingazi Layout.
Council's consent does not condone any land
encroachments within the conservation/buffer zone.
While the majority of the land is developable, the future
installation of services would require environmental
approval and is not included in the scope of the proposed
project.The proposed project entails adding a stand-alone
government-funded house onto an existing homestead
(umuzi).
Meanwhile various municipalities are being incorporated
into larger adjacent municipalities and Council's status
would improve should this be the case with this portion
of land. Therefore Council has recommended that the
Department of City Development inform the Demarcation
Board of Council's medium and long term view on the
matter of future boundaries.
6
prevent glass from piercing bin liners.” No glass bottles or
broken glass bottles should be put directly into a refuse trolley
bin.
Hence residents are encouraged to recycle glass bottles,
plastic bottles, cardboard and other reusable materials. There
are outlets where such material can be sold for cash. As a
good gesture, residents can give these to informal recyclers
who are a usual sight in the City, pushing loaded trolleys along
our roads. Alternatively, they can be taken to the Alton Landfill
site where a recycling project is in operation.
For further information, please contact 035 – 9075790 in
Richards Bay or 035 – 9075670 in Empangeni.
Please let us keep our environment safe and conserve
our natural resources through recycling. Do the right
thing – protect the environment for future generations!
Raad maak reg om
nog grond te verkoop
in die SSK
Ghabhisa Planning Investments het ‘n R490 000 kontrak
gekry om ‘n drie-dimensionele model te ontwikkel vir die
voorgestelde ontwikkeling van die Richardsbaaise Suidelike
Sentrale Sakekern (SSK).
Hierdie werk is noodsaaklik as gevolg van die groei en
verbeteringe wat in die Richardsbaaise SSK plaasgevind
het in die laaste paar jaar, insluitend die ontwikkeling en
samesmelting van die Boardwalk inkopiesentrum en die
Trade Winds Plaza tot die Boardwalk Streeksinkopiesentrum.
Dìt, saam met die ontwikkeling van die nuwe verkoopsvertoon-
en kantoorsentrum in die noordelike gedeelte van
die SSK het die gevolg dat die Stad se voorraad van
toepaslike gesoneerde kommersiële grond in die SSK nout
uitgeput is.
Hierdie drie-dimensionele uitbeelding en beplanning sal
die Munisipaliteit in staat stel om munisipale grond in the
SSK vir kommersiële doeleindes beskikbaar te stel.
E: Ghabhisa Planning Investments has been awarded a
R490 000 contract to prepare the aesthetic perspective
and 3D massing for the proposed development of Richards
Bay CBD South. This will enable the Municipality to package
and release municipal-owned land in the CBD for
commercially-related purposes.

Museum calls on local artists
Have you taken precautions against rabies?
Another rabid dog has been found in Richards Bay. The stray
dog was found in Veldenvlei where it had been fighting with
other dogs and was badly injured. The dog acted strange and
sometimes showed signs of aggression. In light of this latest
case the State Veterinarian has issued the following statement:
If dogs are not vaccinated someone may get infected and
die. Recently a farmer from Underberg, Mr Graeme Anderson,
picked up a stray puppy. A few days later the puppy died. A
few months later the farmer became sick and eventually died
of rabies. The puppy had passed the rabies virus onto him,
without his knowledge.
In Richards Bay your own dog may transmit this terrible
disease to you if your dog is not vaccinated against rabies.
Locally a number of cases have occurred where dogs, which
never get out of their yard, have died of rabies. They had made
contact with dogs through the fence or gate. Those dogs could
have passed the virus onto their owners or neighbours or
friends or children with dire consequences!
PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE - load up your dogs and take
them to the Veterinary Hospitals, the SPCA or the State Vet
7
The City of uMhlathuze's own
art collection is currently on
display at the Museum until
the end of November. On 1
December it will be replaced
by the popular annual
exhibition by local artists.
Submissions for the local
art exhibition will be accepted
from 26 to 30 November and
can include any art medium
including painting, sculptures,
weaving/basketry and bead
work. Artists are reminded that
there is no limit on the number
of works that an artist can
enter. Likewise no
commissions or fees are
charged.
For more information contact
Hannes at the Museum on
035-9075887.
Use skips properly to
keep the City clean
The City's Waste Management section has made an appeal
to residents to ensure that they drop their rubbish into the
municipal skips and not on the ground next to the skip,
even though the skip is not yet full.
Apart from posing a health hazard, this practice also
makes the area around the skip look dirty and unsightly.
Dogs often tear open the rubbish bags and scatter the
contents, which adds to the problem.
Should residents send small children to drop the
household rubbish at the skip, please ensure that there is
a child tall enough to be able to drop the rubbish into the
skip.
Please help to keep our City clean. Report skips that
are full to the Waste Management Section on 035-
9075790 in Richards Bay and surrounds or 035-9075670
in Empangeni and surrounds.
vaccination clinics and get your dogs vaccinated. Dogs need
to be vaccinated at three (3) months, at four (4) months and
thereafter every year. A dog with one vaccination is not
protected! Check your dog's vaccination booklet and make
sure that your dog's vaccinations are up to date. If you are
unsure have it re-vaccinated.
Telephone numbers:
Arboretum Vet Clinic - 035 789 7221 / 035 789 6432
Meerensee Veterinary Hospital - 035 753 1234
SPCA Richards Bay 035 753 2086
SPCA Empangeni 035 792 9129
SPCA Eshowe 035 474 4169
Eshowe Veterinary Clinic 035 474 4900
Mtubatuba Veterinary Clinic 035 550 0349
Mobile Doggie Dip and rabies vaccinations 082 040 1292
State Vet clinics in Richards Bay and Empangeni - the week
of 19 to 23 November 2012 (see your local press for details).
Please note that there will be no State Vet vaccination clinics
on the last Fridays of November and December 2012.

RBIDZ launches Stage 2
The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone marked another
milestone on 25 September 2012, when it handed over the site
of Phase 1A to Devtech Civils CC, for the start of operations on
Stage 2 of the bulk earthworks for Phase 1A, a site area of
approximately 95 hectares in total, in preparation for their potential
investors to eventually be able to locate onto this piece of IDZ
land.
The project IDZ Phase 1A - Stage 2 entails the construction
of an earthworks platform, approximately 879 000m≥ of fill
material, to be constructed on a portion of the IDZ Phase 1A
site (46 ha), in preparation for future development and installation
of engineering services. The works will comprise the clearing
and grubbing of the area in preparation of the engineered fill
platform to be constructed through the importation of fill and or
borrow material from off-site sources. The works will further
consist of top soiling and grassing of the platform area. The
anticipated contract period for Stage 2 is 24 months.
The entire Phase 1A has to be filled to a crest level of
approximately 6,0m above mean sea level, which has had a
significant cost and time implications to the Richards Bay
Industrial Development Zone for the development of this Phase.
Bulk earthworks fill has to take place before any engineering
services such as roads, water sewer and storm water services
can be installed on site. Material will be sourced from the UCOSP
Co-operative quarry.
In order to develop Phase 1A mitigation measures had to
be undertaken to mitigate hydrological constraints by including
wetland offset areas and bulk earthworks fill to compensate for
high water tables and impacts of the 1:100 year flood line on
Phase 1A.
The IDZ programme, which is a National Government initiative,
of which the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ)
forms a part of, is intended to promote local beneficiation of
products prior to export, thereby creating jobs and improving
South Africa’s balance of trade.
8
Although a state owned institution, the RBIDZ, like other
developers is also obliged to pay substantial electrical and civil
contributions to the local authority for the provision of bulk
services. The RBIDZ has already paid R74,6 million to the City
of uMhlathuze for bulk services for Phase 1A alone, which will
be used to enhance the bulk networks of the City to accommodate
the RBIDZ and its potential investors.
For each potential investor that applies to the RBIDZ to setup
a factory, numerous legal requirements need to be met including
the necessary environmental processes, before any construction
can commence. An average EIA takes approximately 18 months
to complete.
The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone had to
purchase its land for Phase 1A and Phase 1F (216 hectares in
total) from the City of uMhlathuze at a cost of R124 million, the
balance of which will be paid on transfer of the land.
To date, the RBIDZ has already created 250 construction
jobs developing land adjacent to the Port, in its Phase 1A, Stage
1 construction.
A requirement of the Stage 2 bulk earthworks contract is
that the contractor has to meet minimum contract participation
goals which includes 40% local labour targets and a minimum
of 40% emerging enterprises be involved in the contract.
The RBIDZ in its last financial year has spent 12% of Total
Measured Procurement Spend on Qualifying small enterprises
(QSE’s) and Exempted Micro Enterprises (EME’s), which is
contributing significantly to the support of local SMME’s.
Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ike Nxedlana has made the
commitment that "the Richards Bay Industrial Development
Zone is committed to ensuring that they play their role in helping
to achieve Government’s objectives of creating jobs and
investments for our area" and believes that they have already
contributed significantly to the support of local SMME’s, as well
as financially and socially contributing towards the socio
economics of our region.
Mohlomi Nkopane (CFO – RBIDZ) welcomes Shaun Coetzer of Devtech Civils cc on site (Phase 1A)

Gemeenskapsaksie
‘n Groep van agt besorgde gemeenskapsvrywilligers het
gedurende September die gietende reën trotseer om die
stroompie wat Salignastraat kruis tussen John Ross College
en Via Cassandrastraat ordentlik skoon te maak.
Die organiseerder was Joh Viljoen. Volgens hom is die
vrywilligers net inwoners wat ernstig voel dat die natuur
beskerm en skoon gehou moet word. Hulle hoop hulle
optrede skep ‘n groter mate van bewussyn en belangstelling
vir ‘n skoner Stad by ander inwoners van uMhlathuze.
Hy het gesê: “As gevolg van die ernstige verval van die
omgewing het ek ‘n skerp afname in die hoeveelheid diere
by hierdie stroompie opgemerk en ek het vevoel dat iets
gedoen moet word. I hoop ons optrede en sukses sal ander
inspireer om ook hulled eel vir die omgewing te doen,
ongeag hoe klein dit ook al mag wees.”
uMhlathuze Munisipaliteit het die inisiatief verwelkom
en die groep ondersteun deur twee groot afvalskottels te
verskaf en seker te maak dat alle mangate behoorlik bedek
was.
Teen die einde van die skoonmaak was beide die
afvalskottels byna propvol. Die afval het bestaan uit
koeldrankbottels, pastieksakke, skyfiepakke en soortgelyke
items. Daar was ook groot hoeveelhede tuinafval wat net
daar gelos is.
As gevolg van die slegte weerstoestande kon die groep
nie alles doen wat hulle wou nie en dus het hulle teruggekeer
aan die begin van Oktober om hul werk af te handel.
E: A concerned group of eight community volunteers
braved torrential rain in mid-September to undertake an
extreme clean-up along the stream crossing Saligna Road
in Arboretum between John Ross College and Via
Cassandra Road.
Joh Viljoen en sy sopnat vrywilligers het nie toegelaat dat
die gietende reën hulle laat afsien van hulle planne om die
stroompie wat Salignstraat kruis, skoon te maak nie.
9
Council looks
to terminate
airport lease
Richards Bay Airport concessionaire, Richards Bay Airport
Company, has terminated the services of Air Traffic Navigation
Systems (ATNS). This has led to a downgrade of the Airport's
status and placed the company in breach of its Concession
Agreement with the City of uMhlathuze.
Council as owner of the Airport land was required to consent
to the change, which has led to the downgrading of the Airport
from 'Class C' to 'Class G'. This means that the airspace
classification is changed from controlled airspace to information
airspace, which is appropriate for airports with fewer aircraft
movements.
According to the Concession Agreement, Richards Bay
Airport Company is contractually bound to employ the full
services of ATNS to ensure public safety and the City has given
the company 60 days in which to rectify the situation failing
which it will begin the process of terminating the Agreement
and looking for a new operator for the airport.
Richards Bay Clean Air
Association Monthly Report:
August 2012
SO2 Guideline (Sulphur Dioxide) Exceedances
There were no measured exceedances of the NEMAQA
SO2 10-minute, Hourly or Daily Standards.
TRS Odour Threshold Exceedances
There were no exceedances of the WHO 30-minute H2S
nuisance guideline (5ppb) and OME TRS 10-minute health
standard (9.3ppb). The RBCAA target was exceeded three
(3) times.
PM-10 Exceedances
There were no measured exceedances of the current
NEMAQA Daily PM-10 Standard; the NEMAQA Future
Daily PM-10 Standard was exceeded three (3) times, twice
at Brackenham, and once at Mtunzini.
Air Quality Complaints
There were twenty four (24) air quality complaints received
for the month of August 2012. measured exceedances of
the SANS PM-10 Daily Standard.
For more information contact:
Sandy Camminga (Public Officer) Cell: 083 515 2384
Tel: 035 -786 0076 E-mail: info@rbcaa.co.za
Complaints can be logged at: complaints@rbcaa.co.za
Website:www.rbcaa.co.za

Clinics provide
sexuality education
uMhlathuze Clinic Services has visited the Sitholinhlanhla
School in Mzingazi and the Umfolozi FET College campus in
Richards Bay to provide sexuality education to the City youth
and discuss the risks of early sexuality.
At Sitholinhlanhla School the Clinic staff addressed 320
learners in small groups to talk about the age at which puberty
starts and the changes that girls and boys experience at the
onset of puberty. They also discussed topics such as the reason
for menstruation and wet dreams etc.
The youths were also told of the risks of early sexuality,
especially HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy,
emotional pain and cervical cancer, if sexually active before
21-years and having multiple partners.
Importantly the youths were also engaged in discussions
about the choice of having children and the responsibility of
caring for them as well as the fact that young mothers and
fathers often don't want to take responsibility for children or
pregnancy and babies are found dumped in pit latrines, sugar
cane fields or at orphanages.
"Each one attending sexuality health education has the
choice to make a difference," says Elsa Davis. "The vicious
circle can stop with each one making a conscious decision to
make informed decisions. Our message is to abstain or use
contraceptives, think about what you are doing and know the
risks of early sexuality.
"It was interesting and encouraging to hear that 90% of the
learners said they want to finish school before having sex and
starting a family. They agreed that not taking responsibility for
your child is cruel and selfish and that boys seldom take
responsibility for their involvement in creating a child," she
said.
A similar sexuality health education session was held with
all first year students at the Richards Bay campus of Umfolozi
FET College and was well received by the youths.
The owner of Thula Baby Disposable Giants, Dewald donated
31 packets of sanitary towels to Sitholinhlanhla School and
the girls often do not have them and have to go home due
to embarrassment. Additional sanitary towels were handed
over by the uMhlathuze Clinic Services.
10
Dates to Diarise
November
• 1 November Richards Bay Floral Art Club meeting at 14:00 in
the Richards Bay Library Hall. Contact Bev on 0824525744
• 2 November Golden Oldies at 09:30 at the Empangeni Civic
Centre. Contact Elaine on 035-7721407 or 0824318110
• 3 November Empangeni SPCA Car Boot Sale opposite the
Zululand Observer from 09:00 to 13:00. Contact Di Cadman on
035-7726515
• 3 November Fish Eagle Bonsai Kai meeting at 14:00. Contact
Betsy de Jong on 0722074079
• 6 November uMhlathuze Municipality Executive Committee
meeting at 14:00 in Council Chambers, Richards Bay Civic Centre
• 6 November uMhlathuze Municipality Council meeting at 17:00
in Council Chambers, Richards Bay Civic Centre
• 7 November Cancer Support Group monthly meeting at 18:30 in
the Bay Hospital Boardroom. Contact Theresa on 035-7806123
or Shirley on 035-7892472
• 7 November Mzingazi WI at 17:00 in the Richards Bay Library
Hall. Contact Rose on 082 598 6204
• 9 November Golden Oldies at 09:30 at the Empangeni Civic
Centre. Contact Elaine on 035-7721407 or 0824318110
• 10 November Zululand Bonsai meeting. Contact Barry Stofberg
on 0833249392
• 12 November Empangeni WI monthly meeting at 14:30 at Leisure
Gardens. Contact Shelly King on 035-7924939 or 083 989 6278
• 13 November ZCCI Richards Bay Division monthly meeting at
12:45 at the Pelican Hall, ZCBF. Contact Charmaine 035-7971858
• 14 November Interdenominational Prayer Meeting at the SAPS
Empangeni inner garden from 07:45 to 08:15. Contact Janine
Stone on 035-7725083
• 15 November ZCCI Empangeni Division monthly meeting at 12:45
at Umfolozi Hotel Casino and Convention Centre. Contact
Charmaine 035-7971858
• 16 November Golden Oldies at 09:30 at the Empangeni Civic
Centre. Contact Elaine on 035-7721407 or 0824318110
• 20 November uMhlathuze Municipality Executive Committee
meeting at 14:00 in Council Chambers, Richards Bay Civic Centre
• 21 November Richards Bay Garden Club meeting. Contact Eileen
Russell on 035-7534250
• 23 November Golden Oldies at 09:30 at the Empangeni Civic
Centre. Contact Elaine on 035-7721407 or 0824318110
• 24 November Richards Bay SPCA Open Day
• 24 November Empangeni Morning Market at the Zikulise Arts
and Crafts Centre from 08:00 to 13:00. Contact Julie Jonson on
035-7925477
• 24 November Richards Bay Sea Scout Flea Market at the Steel
Bridge, Richards Bay. Contact Liz on 083 441 3666 or Lorna on
073 180 8143.
• 26 November Richards Bay WI monthly meeting at 09:00 in the
Richards Bay Library Hall. Contact Diane 035-7891682
• 30 November Golden Oldies at 09:30 at the Empangeni Civic
Centre. Contact Elaine on 035-7721407 or 0824318110
• 30 November Free rabies clinic at the Veldenvlei Hall in Richards
Bay from 08:00 to 14:00
Rehabilitated Drug Users Support Group meets in Brackenham at Bay
Primary School in Fishtail Road from 19:00 to 20:00 every Friday and in
Arboretum at the AGS Church near Arboretum swimming pool from 19:00
to 20:00 every Saturday. Contact Ps Christo on 083 645 8772 or Mathew
on 074 438 4980.

School uniform vouchers handed out
With a focus on the importance of education thirty underprivileged
children have been given vouchers to buy new school uniforms
during a handover at the Empangeni Civic Centre earlier this
month.
Executive Committee member, Cllr Alice Mthembu, on behalf
of the Mayor and the City of uMhlathuze, handed out the school
uniform vouchers to the children; one child in each ward as
identified by the ward councillors and ward committees.
The vouchers, each to the value of R500, were given by the
uThungulu District Municipality and enable the children to buy
their school uniform from four outlets within the City.
At the handover Cllr Mthembu said: "uMhlathuze is a caring
municipality, which takes care of its citizens from young children
to senior citizens. We understand that education is a priority in
our country and that a school uniform is part of our access to
education. For this reason we are meeting here today to assist
those in need because wearing a uniform helps to unite children."
Traffic Section
responds to
media allegations
The Department of Community Services (Traffic Section)
has submitted a full report to the Community Services
Portfolio Committee in response to issues raised in the
local media questioning the legality of the City's newly
implemented Traffic Monitoring System and alleged
deficiencies with the City's Traffic Camera Speed
Management Systems.
According to the report Traffic Management
Technologies (TMT) was appointed by Council earlier this
year to supply mobile camera operations related to traffic
management. As such cameras that are supplied by the
service provider are operated by uniformed, qualified
officers employed by the City of uMhlathuze. "The service
provides does not 'set up and/or monitor any speed traps'
in the City, as it has been alleged," stated the report.
Similarly reference to the 'uMhlathuze Magisterial
District' in the notices was done for ease of reference for
motorists. Although no offence is committed by the
reference nor does it nullify the notice, a change to the
relevant applicable magisterial district of Lower Umfolozi
has since been effected.
It was also alleged that the account into which offenders
had to pay fines belonged to the service provider. However
the report 'states categorically' that the account does not
belong to the service provider but is a Municipal account
which has been opened and dedicated to traffic fine
collections. "The reason is that such as statement is
regularly supplied to the service provider who is responsible
for reconciliation so as to record infringements paid against
those not paid for which, as time goes by graduate into
other levels of infringements."
11

Schools go green
for Arbor Month
Over one hundred trees have been planted at and around schools in uMhlathuze
as part of the City's greening initiative to celebrate Arbor Month while also educating
learners about the importance of trees and encouraging them to take responsibility
for their heritage.
The City's Park and Recreation staff used the opportunity to speak about the
role of indigenous trees in the environment as well as to demonstrate how to plant
and properly care for trees to ensure that they reach maturity. They were also told
that it is fitting that Heritage Day is also celebrated in September, Arbor Month,
because trees are part of our heritage and it is important that we green our City.
Schools that took part in the tree planting programme included:
Floraton Primary (10 Trichilia dregeana), Bay Primary (2 Trichilia dregeana),
Nongweleza High (5 Trichilia dregeana, 1 mango tree), Sigisi Primary (5 Trichilia
dregeana, 1 mango tree),Kangikho Primary (5 Trichilia dregeana, 1 mango tree),
Matshana Primary (5 Trichilia dregeana, 1 mango tree), Ziphozonke High (5 Trichilia
dregeana, 1 mango tree), Thembelihle Primary (5 Trichilia dregeana, 1 mango
tree), Masakhane Primary (5 Trichilia dregeana, 1 mango tree), Ndabayakhe
Primary (5 Trichilia dregeana, 1 mango tree), Mntokhona Primary (5 Trichilia
dregeana, 1 mango tree), Qantayi High (5 Trichilia dregeana, 1 mango tree),
Mhlanga Primary (5 Trichilia dregeana, 1 mango tree), Amandosi Primary (5 Trichilia
dregeana, 1 mango tree), Izibiko Primary (4 Trichilia dregeana), Hluma High School
(4 Trichilia dregeana), Ezishabeni Primary (4 Trichilia dregeana), Nsezi Primary
(5 Trichilia dregeana) and Empangeni Preparatory (1 Trichilia dregeana, 2 Acacia
sieberiana).
One of the last schools to plant their trees was Empangeni Preparatory School
in Empangeni. Here members of the school's newly formed 'Soul Buddies Club'
assisted the City's Park and Recreation staff to plant a Trichilia dregeana (Natal
Mahogany) and two Acacia sieberiana trees in a public open space close to the
school. The Club was formed to undertake community projects, such as tree
plants and visiting orphanages, as well as provide peer assistance within the
school environment by, for example, helping less fortunate learners.
uMhlathuze News - Also on: www.richemp.org.za
Correspondence: Vukile Mathabela, Private Bag X1004, Richards Bay 3900. Tel (035) 907 5405.
E-mail: mathabelagvc@richemp.org.za
Articles, co-ordination: Gillian Readman, Mevamhlope Communications. Tel 0836420020.
E-mail: greadman@iafrica.com Design and Layout: Alliance Graphics Printing: Colour Planet
12
Important uMhlathuze
Municipality telephone
numbers
In case of uncertainty, the main switchboard in
Richards Bay can be reached by dialling
035-9075000