2012/08-August 2012 - City of uMhlathuze

uMhlathuze News
Official newsletter of the uMhlathuze Municipality
August 2012
City sets a shining example
Ugu delegation arrives on a learning visit
Municipal Speakers from the Ugu District and the local
municipalities that comprise Ugu District visited uMhlathuze
Municipality at the beginning of August to learn from uMhlathuze,
being similar in size to most of the Ugu local municipalities.
The itinerary included discussions about the Rules of Order
and issues of protocol, the roles and responsibilities of the Speaker,
the types of resources and facilities available in the Office of the
Speaker and the City’s Public Participation programmes.
In this issue
City sets a shining example...................................1
Hostel beneficiary list open for
public comment ....................................................2
Board appointment for Mayor...............................2
Council briefs........................................................2
UMkhandlu Wendawo Wengculazi Wenza
Izinjongo Ezinohlonze ...........................................3
IDolobha Ligubha Inyanga Yabesifazane...............3
Councillors attend Risk Management training.......4
eNseleni mall developers request extension..........4
Massive affordable housing project for City..........5
Veiligheidskameras kom in Munisipale Geboue ....5
Municipality celebrates Mandela Day ....................6
More title deeds are handed out............................8
The delegation also attended Executive Committee and Council
meetings and was able to likewise share their experiences with
the office bearers of uMhlathuze.
uMhlathuze Exco Councillor, Musa Mbokazi said the request
by Ugu District to visit the City is an indication that uMhlathuze
is seen as a municipality that is ‘growing and progressing’ and
is held in high regard by other municipalities due to its
achievements.
The Ugu District delegation included Speakers from the area as well as support staff. Back left: Cllr Musa Mbokazi (uMhlathuze Exco),
Cllr Manie Lourens (uMhlathuze Chief Whip), Cllr Dumile Ngubo (Speaker of Muziwabantu Local Municipality), Cllr Sithembiso Cele
(Speaker of Ugu District Municipality), Cllr Elphas Mbatha (uMhlathuze Mayor), Cllr Ronnie Nair (Speaker of Hibiscus Coast Local
Municipality), Cllr Sykes Naidoo (Speaker of Mdoni Local Municipality), Cllr Amon Mpisi (Speaker of Ezinqoleni Local Municipality);
Cllr Meera Sookroo (uMhlathuze Exco). Front left: Cllr Mvuseni Mqayi (uMhlathuze Speaker), Cllr Zethu Gumbi (uMhlathuze Deputy
Mayor), Cllr Sizwe Ngcobo (Speaker of Umzumbe Local Municipality) and Cllr Delo Hlengwa (Speaker of Vulamehlo Local Municipality).
Community Health Centre for eSikhaleni...............8
Zikulise completes training courses......................9
RBCAA Monthly Report: June 2012 ......................9
Renewable Energy projects sought for City.........10
City considers Beach Soccer Cup proposal.........11
uMhlathuze comes out tops in
National Treasury report......................................11
Budding junior Picassos on display ....................12
Important municipal telephone numbers ............12

Hostel beneficiary list
open for public comment
A tender has been awarded to refurbish the three blocks of Chief
Albert Luthuli hostel (H395) in eSikhaleni and the proposed allocation
list of residents at this hostel has been advertised in the local media
to give residents an opportunity to object.
Groundwork Management Consultancy was contracted to attend
to allocation issues at the J223 (Sokesimone), J1083 (Sinqobile),
J1169 (Madlala), H862 (King Cetshwayo) as well as H395 (Chief
Albert Luthuli).
The consultants undertook the re-allocation process in
consultation with the affected hostel residents and their
representatives and applied the relevant criteria, i.e. registered on
the 2003 survey etc. A number of special cases emerged. These
cases are mainly persons who missed hte 2003 survey due to family
or work reasons and neighbours or fellow residents were able to
vouch that these persons were residents of the hostel even prior
to the 2003 survey.
Importantly only five allocations have been done in Block H,
leaving 13 units unallocated and reserved for additional special
cases that may surface or to accommodate overcrowding at other
hostels.
The eligibility of those H395 residents and special cases who
are satisfied to pursue housing opportunities at Umhlathuze Village
will be evaluated by the Department of Human Settlements as part
of the beneficiary approval process. Infraserv, the implementing
agent at Umhlathuze Village, has been given instruction to prioritise
the construction of houses for hostel displacees.
Meanwhile Council has extended the contract period given to
Sthombe Contracts and Supplies, he contractor awarded the contract
to refurbish H395 Chief Albert Luthuli hostel in eSikhaleni. The
period has been extended to 11 January 2013 due to unforeseeable
delays with the project, including Council’s forensic investigation
into human settlement matters, which were not the fault of the
contractor. Additional expenditure of R67 0000 has also been granted
due to the delays.
Board appointment
for Mayor
MEC for Economic
Development and Tourism,
Mike Mabuyakhulu has
appointed uMhlathuze Mayor
Elphas Mbatha as a Board
member of the Richards Bay
Industrial Development Zone
for a five year term effective
1 July 2012.
2
Council briefs
Services to Zulti South Mine
Council has granted permission for the provision of
industrial water by Mhlathuze Water to Richards Bay
Minerals’ Zulti South Mine and is to finalise its application
for the extension of the electricity distribution licence to
include the mining areas in the Municipality’s distribution
area of supply.
The provision of industrial water is on condition that
the feasibility of doubling the emergency supply to
Cubhu Water Treatment Works be investigated as the
preferred option and that Council be given the first
priority in the usage of infrastructure once mining
activities are completed.
Valuation date set
1 September 2012 has been determined as the fixed
date to start with the preparation for the General Valuation
Roll: Second General Valuation Cycle.
The Municipality is in the process of appointing a
new Municipal Valuer who will commence with the
preparation of the General Valuation Roll that will be
applicable for the next four year cycle.
Building statistics
Quarterly building statistics for 1 January to 30 March
2012 show that 112 building plans were approved and
79 buildings were completed. The estimated cost of the
completed buildings is about R66 million.
Council generated an income of R204 000 from the
submission of building plans during this quarter.
Amendments to Richards Bay Town Planning
Scheme
Council has approved amendments to the Richard Bay
Town Planning Scheme in course of preparation, which
updates definitions and scheme clauses relating to
Industrial Land Uses.
The changes will benefit the environment in that
Council will be in a better position to enforce the air
quality buffer areas which were adopted in 2006.
Council will allow three years from the date of
adoption of these amendments to allow industries to
apply for rezoning from “General Industrial” to “Restricted
Industrial” if the relevant site is zoned “General Industrial”
or a similar industrial zoning and the industry applying
for the rezoning can prove that it was operating as a
“restricted industry” at the date of the adoption of the
scheme amendment.
The cost of such rezoning procedures, which shall
be lodged in terms of the KZN Planning and Development
Act 2008, shall be borne by Council.

UMkhandlu Wendawo Wengculazi
Wenza Izinjongo Ezinohlonze
UMasipala waseMhlathuze uselwamukele
icebo lokulwa nengculazi nesandulela
sayo, izifo ezisabalaliswa ngocansi nesifo
sofuba. Lelicebo libeka izinhloso zika
2016 zokuba kwehliswe ngenxenye inani
labantu abatheleleka ngegciwane
lengculazi okokuqala nokwehlisa
ngenxenye inani labantu abatheleleka
ngesifo sofuba okokuqala nokufa.
Injongo wukuba inxenye engama 80%
yabantu abatheleleke ngegciwane
bakwazi ukuthola imishwanguzo
yokudambisa igciwane, kuthi kusenjalo
kwehliswe ukuzenyeza mayelana
nengculazi neTB kanye nokuvikela
amalungelo alabo abaphila negciwane
lengculazi nesandulela-gculazi.
IPulani leDolobha eliwuMhlahlandlela
lemiNyaka emiHlanu lethulwa mhla
kubekwa uMkhandlu weNdawo
weNgculazi ekupheleni kukaJuly kanti
lihlose ukuhambisana namapulani
kazwelonke nawezifundazwe ngokulwa
nengculazi nesandulela-ngculazi ezingeni
lendawo.
Ukuze leliPulani lisebenze ngemfanelo,
kudingeke ukuba kwenziwe iPulani
lokuSebenza okuyilona elihlonza izinto
okumele zenziwe ukuze kufezeke
izinhloso nokubheka iqhaza okumele
libanjwe yilabo abathintekayo
kulomsebenzi.
Okubaluleke kakhulu wukuthi iPulani
libe nendlela yokukala lezozinto okumele
zenziwe nanokwenezela izinto okumele
zenziwe kanye nokwenza uhlelo lonyaka
lwawo uMkhandlu Wendawo weNgculazi.
IMeya yaseMhlathuze u-Elphas
Mbatha wethula ngokusemthethweni
uMkhandlu weNdawo weNgculazi wabe
esebeka amazwi okukhumbula uNkosi
Johnson noGugu Dlamini asebedlula
emhlabeni, ebonga iqhaza ablibamba
ekulweni nokuzenyeza okuhambisana
nengculazi nesandulela-ngculazi.
Ekhumbula usuku lokuzalwa
kukaMongameli uNelson Mandela
ngoJuly, iMeya uMbatha yabuye
yambonga ngendima ayidlala ekulweni
nalesisifo ngezikhathi zawo 1990 kanye
nyeNelson Mandela Foundation.
OkaShandu wathi, “Njengoba sethula
loMkhandlu we-AIDS, sikhumbula ukuthi
izinselelo ezintathu (ukweswela
umsebenzi, ubuphofu nokungalingani)
kulokhu kuqhubeka njalo
nokubhebhethekisa ingculazi ezweni
lethu.”
3
Waqhuba wathi, “Kumele sazi ukuthi i-
AIDS ilokhu iyingqinamba enkulu ekufezeni
izinhloso zenthuthuko zika 2015 e-Africa.
Iqiniso lokuthi iNingizimu Afrika kukholelwa
ukuthi yiyona enabantu abaningi
kunawowonke amazwe emhlabeni
abakhungethwe yingculazi kuyakhathaza.”
Wabuye wenezelela wathi, “Kumele
sikhathazeke ngokuthi iKwaZulu-Natal
yisona sifundazwe esiphezulu
kunazozonke esinabantu abaphila
nalolubhubhane. Izibalo zikhomba ukuthi
isifunda sethu sinabantu abaningi
asebatheleleka. Ngikholwa wukuthi icebo
esizolamukela namuhla lizokwazi
ukubhekana ngqo nalenselelo.”
E: uMhlathuze Municipality launched
the City's Local AIDS Council (LAC) in
July and unveiled the Local Draft Five-
Year Strategy Plan, which sets goals for
2016 of halving the number of new
HIV/AIDS infections and halving the
number of new TB infections and deaths.
The objective is to have 80% of infected
people eligible for anti-retroviral treatment,
while also reducing the stigma related to
HIV and TB and protecting the rights of
those living with HIV and AIDS.
IDolobha Ligubha Inyanga Yabesifazane
Selokhu kwaqala intando yeningi, iNingizimu
Africa isithathe amagxathu aqotho
ukuthuthukisa ukulingana ngokobulili
nokunika igunya kwabesifazane
Eminyakeni engamashumi amabili edlule
selikhuphukile inani labesifazane
abasePhalamende nakuHulumeni.
Isakhiwo semithetho nenqubomgomo
kahulumeni mayelana nokulingana ngokubulili
ezweni iyingqikithi enezinhlaka ezahlukene.
Imithetho enentuthuko ibandakanya:
• UMthetho oGqugquzela ukuLingana
nokuVimbela uBandlululo olungeluhle
• UMthetho woKwenzelela ngokuQashwa
• UMthetho woDlame lwaseKhaya
• UMthetho wamaCala oCansi
• UMthetho woMshado weNdabuko
• UHulumeni umatasa ngokuphothula
uMthetho-sivivinyo wokuNika iGunya
Abesifazane nokuLingana ngokoBulili
UHulumeni ubeke eqhulwini ukuthuthukiswa
kwabesifazane kwezomnotho nokuthuthukiswa
kwezindawo zasemakhaya.
Source: www.info.gov.za
UMasipala waseMhlathuze ufisela bonke abesifazane beDolobha izilokotho ezinhle
ekugubheni iNyanga YabeSifazane kaZwelonke ngo-August enesiqubulo esithi,
“Iminyaka engama 56 yabesifazane behlangene ukulwa nobuphofu, ukungalingani
kanye nokweswela umsebenzi.
IDolobha laseMhlathuze liyakwamukela ukuthi ukukhuthaza ukulingana
ngokobulili kanye nokunika igunya kwabesifazane kuyingqikithi yayoyonke imizamo
ehlose ukunqanda ubuphofu kanye nokugqugquzela intuthuko esimeme. Kuningi
osekwenziwe kulomkhakha njengokuqashwa kwabesifazane ezikhundleni
zokuphatha, ukuthuthukiswa kwamabhizinisi asafufusa amaSMME kanye
nokuthuthukiswa kwamakhono entsheni yendawo.
IDolobha libuye lesekela imikhankaso elwa nobudlova obubhekiswe
kwabesifazane njengokuhlukumezeka kwasekhaya, kwezokuhweba,
ukushushumbiswa kwabantu njalonjalo.
Ekuqaleni kwalenyanga kugujwe uSuku lwabeSifazane kuZwelonke kulolonke
izwe ukukhumbula usuku okwathi ngo 1956 abesifazane bazozonke izinhlanga
kuyoyonke imikhakha yempilo bamasha baqonda eZakhiweni zikaHulumeni
bephikisana nemithetho yobandlululo eyayicindezela.
Lenqophamlando yemashi yaba yindima ebalulekile ekulwleni inkululeko
yabesifazane esizweni sonke. Kusukela ngalelolanga abesifazane bayoyonke
imikhakha yempilo babambisana ngokulinganayo ekulweleni iNingizimu Africa
engabandlululi ngobuhlanga nangobulili.
E: uMhlathuze Municipality wishes all the best to all the women in the City in
celebration of National Women’s Month in August, which has the theme of "56
years of women united against poverty, inequality and unemployment".

Councillors attend Risk Management training
The National Department of Treasury
visited the City of uMhlathuze at the
beginning of August to present Risk
Management training to councillors. The
interactive session was aimed at equipping
them will the skills to better identify key
risks and obstacles that threaten the
objectives of the Municipality as well as
to design and implement measures to
manage the risks to acceptable levels.
“Risk Management is about seeing a
problem coming and being able to take
steps to minimise that problem rather than
waiting for it arrive and then trying to
manage the problem. Using Risk
Management properly will take the
eNseleni mall developers request another extension
LST Investments, the company developing the eNseleni
shopping mall, has been invited to address the City
Development Portfolio Committee on the reasons for the
continuous delays with the project.
This follows a request to Council to grant a further extension
of time of 18 months to finalise the acquisition of privately
owned properties and Township Establishment procedures.
The company concluded a Sale Agreement in August 2007
and when the period granted to fulfil their Suspensive Conditions
lapsed they were granted with further extensions on various
occasions. The last extension lapsed in January 2012.
The subdivision and rezoning was approved by Exco in
November 2011. The consolidation was approved by Exco in
Municipality to a new level,” encouraged
Phukuile Masudubele, one of the trainers.
Risk Management is everyone’s
responsibility with the Municipality. Council,
as the executive authority, is responsible
for establishing Risk Management and
ensuring the effective functioning thereof.
The Municipal Manager, as the Accounting
Officer, is accountable for the overall
governing of Risk Management and
setting an appropriate tone within the
organisation. Management and officials
at the various levels are responsible for
Risk Management issues in their daily
activities, such as ensuring that they lock
their offices when they leave.
4
The benefits of effective Risk Management
for the City include better allocation of
scarce resources through prioritisation,
improved service delivery and achieving
municipal targets.
Course presenters Bheki Gutshwa, Phukuile Masudubele and Rudzani Funzani from National Treasury with Shaylene Adonis, the
Municipality’s Chief Human Resources Officer: SHE Risk Management and some of the councillors who attended the training session.
February 2012, however, an approved Surveyor-General
diagram of the consolidated properties will only be issued
once all the properties are under one ownership.
The closure of the street application was forwarded to the
Department of Cooperative Governance in August 2011 and
is still awaiting approval.
Therefore, the Township Establishment procedure has
been finalised except for the consolidation of properties. This
process is being delayed because the properties with different
ownership cannot be consolidated.
Five of the eight properties involved in the development
are still privately owned. Currently there are delays winding
up the assets for one property of the deceased estate.

Massive affordable housing project for City
Council has given its in principle support to a massive six
thousand unit housing project proposed for Richards Bay, which
would see a direct investment of R4 billion and the creation of
about 12 300 job opportunities over an eight to ten year period
for the City of uMhlathuze.
The project has been mooted by a high-level consortium
consisting of Sappi Southern Africa as the land owners, Mutual
Construction Company (MCC) as the property developers,
Lereko Investments (Pty) Ltd as Sappi s BEE shareholder and
AMB Capital Limited, an independent financial services company.
A delegation led by Valli Moosa, the former National Minister
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and a founding partner of
Lereko, initially presented the concept plan to Council and way
forward to the Council in October 2011.
The consortium s research into the housing needs of the
City revealed that the rental market is underdeveloped and there
is a dire need for affordable housing. As such the emphasis of
the development will be to provide affordable housing, thereby
creating exciting opportunities for new home owners, local
contractors and labour in the area. There is also willingness to
include a social housing component to the development should
the demand exist.
The proposed 361 hectare project is situated north of
Birdswood. The development will be mixed use and constructed
in 16 phases over a period of eight to 10 years.
Included in the development is:
• A commercial stand of 23 612m 2
• An office stand of 4 471m 2
• Filling station erf of 5 276m 2
• Community facilities totalling 10 265m 2
• Hospital of 29 984m 2
• Frail care facility of 12 933m 2
• Worship and pre-school stands of 9 052m 2
• A high school stand of 42 711m 2
• Two primary schools totalling 57 599m 2
• An electrical substation of 927m 2
• 262 single residential stands zoned “Low density
residential 1”
• A retirement village of 265 units covering 88 471m 2
• 94 medium density residential stands consisting of 2 422
units (30 units per hectare) covering 821 272m 2
• 51 high density residential stands consisting of 3 177 units
(60 units per hectare) covering 533 600m 2
• Open space of 105 990m 2 .
Mr Moosa said: This is a large development project that will
open up a number of suburbs for the City. We believe this
development would change the face of the City. When the project
starts it will be one of the biggest construction projects being
undertaken in the country at that time.
He added: The Environmental Impact Assessment is at an
advanced stage and the application is to be submitted imminently.
The application for rezoning of the land is also imminent. The
estimated launch of the project is well timed for 2012 and
marketing will be launched at the same time. This may seem
fast but we have been working on this project for the past three
years doing planning, business modelling and raising the initial
development capital.
5
The SAPPI Development Project was well received by Councillors
during a presentation. Seen after the presentation are (left):
Valli Moosa (Lereko) and (right) Mayor Elphas Mbatha
Meanwhile timing of the phases and the development of
social services, such as schools, will largely depend on how
quickly stands are snapped up once they are available for sale.
Likewise the delegation was unable to give an indication of
prices. This is not a low cost housing or RDP housing project.
As it is a commercial development, it would not be wise to give
numbers and prices at this stage, but it is our intention for the
development to be affordable. Within the affordable bracket there
will be an upper level of affordability and a lower level, said Mr
Moosa.
The formalisation of the township will be further considered
during the Environmental Impact Assessment and the KZN
Planning and Development Act processes.
Veiligheidskameras kom
in Munisipale Geboue
‘n Tender vir die voorsiening, instellasie en bedryf van Geslote
Kringtelevisie (GKTV) is aan Iqhila Security and Projects
toegeken. Die tender is ter waarde van R310 000 en
daarvolgens sal GKTV binne die munisipale geboue
geïnstalleer word en die staf sal opgelei word om die
suksesvolle werking van die stelsels te verseker.
Die kontrak sluit in die instellasie van
kringtelevisiekameras in die Departement van Finansies,
die parkeergebied aan die buitekant en die Loodgietersafdeling,
sowel as die kantore van die Burgemeester,
Munisipale Bestuurder en die raadslede..
E: Iqhila Security and Projects has been awarded a
R310 000 contract to supply, install and commission CCTV
camera systems within the municipal buildings as well as
transfer the necessary skills to ensure the successful
operation of the systems.

Municipality celebrates Mandela Day
magnificently
Councillors and officials of the City of uMhlathuze once again
got into the true spirit of Mandela Day by undertaking community
service across the City to celebrate the ninety-fourth birthday
of our first democratically elected President, Nelson Mandela.
The main event of the day took place in rural eNseleni where
a substantial municipal contingent got to work at a community
crëche where they undertook structural improvements, including
leveling the land, building entrance steps, fitting doors and putting
glass into window frames, fixing roof leaks, painting interior and
exterior walls as well as improving the playground area with
trees and tyres.
The children enjoyed face-painting and were also given
stationery packs and small tables and chairs for their classrooms.
Mayor Elphas Mbatha recognised Mr Mandela as a global icon
and said that the Municipality was proud to celebrate his birthday
by improving the lives of residents, particularly those of young
children. He added that this would not be a once-off project, but
would be adopted by the City which would undertake further
improvements in the future.
Municipal Manager, Dr Nhlanhla Sibeko said: “We have
always understood and felt the need to become more involved
in our community at a grassroots level and we aim to live the
spirit of Mandela Day every day. Our Deputy Municipal Managers
each have their own team comprising of randomly selected
members of the management team, who are responsible for a
different portion of the City. This responsibility involves visiting
these areas and taking note of issues that need addressing
such as missing manhole covers, overgrown public spaces
among others, as well as leading social responsibility projects
in these areas.”
To this end each Deputy Municipal Managers and their team
undertook various projects in their respective areas. Chief
Financial Officer, Mr Mxolisi Kunene and his team tidied the
grounds of the Ngwelezane Place of Safety where they used
brush-cutters to clear overgrown areas and revamped the
children’s play area by fixing the swings and jungle gym, painting
the equipment in colourful primary colours and erecting
basketball/netball hoops.
Deputy Municipal Manager of Infrastructure and Technical
Services, Mr Sifiso Mdakane and his team headed to Richards
Bay Taxi City where they cleaned up litter and cleared the verges.
Deputy Municipal Manager of Corporate Services, Mbali
Ndlovu and her team headed to Mzingazi Village to help a
mother and her young twins. The twins had been born in January
but their mother was ill and had to stay in hospital. Manager:
Community Services and Health, Ziphi Dladla heard about the
twins from the City Clinic and requested support from her friends
in the way of baby clothes.
(Mrs Ndlovu and her team took this support a step further on
Mandela Day by working at their home to establish a vegetable
garden and a compost pit for household waste.
6
Top and below: The Ngwelezane Place of Safety is a neater and
more colourful place thanks to the efforts of Chief Financial
Officer, Mxolisi Kunene and his team of hard workers.
Above and right: Deputy
Municipal Manager of Corporate
Services and her team are joined
by the Manager of Community
Services and Health, Ziphi Dladla
at Mzingazi where they put their
67 minutes to help a young
mother and her twin daughters.

Above and below left: Deputy Municipal Manager of Infrastructure and Technical Services and his team were joined by Chief Whip, Cllr Manie
Lourens at Richards Bay Taxi City where they collected litter and cleaned verges to improve the aesthetics and cleanliness of the area.
Right: The Empangeni
Clinic team appreciates
the efforts of the
municipal employee
who spent her own
time and money to buy
ingredients and bake
cupcakes for them as
a sign of appreciation
for the service they
render to the
community.
Below and right: Digging, painting, cleaning, fixing…it was all part of the day’s work for the
Municipal team who camped out at a community crèche in eNseleni until the job was done.
7

More title deeds are handed out
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human
Settlements intends to complete the
transfer of houses to beneficiaries in
Aquadene and Brackenham by May 2013
and close out the project by the end of
next year.
This is according to the MEC for
Human Settlements and Public Works,
Mr Ravi Pillay who presented title deeds
to a further 47 beneficiaries at a ceremony
at the Brackenham Community Hall at the
end of July.
Mr Pillay said that the process of
transferring houses to bona fide
beneficiaries started in 2008. In total 1 140
properties are to be transferred and of
this number 818 properties have already
been transferred. The balance is in
different phases of the conveyancing
process.
Updating the community on progress
he said that 30 transfers have been lodged
with the Deeds Office and a further 60
transfers have been lodged with the Office
of the State Attorney. He also appealed
for patience from the community due to
“a human resource challenge at the State
Attorney’s Office” adding that extra
personnel are being made available to
expedite the process.
He spoke about the significance of the
handovers: “Tonight, we are re-affirming
Deputy Mayor Vera Gumbi and Mayor Elphas Mbatha congratulate title deed recipients
from Brackenham, Ram and Sally Ramsami, who were one of 47 families to receive their
official documents from MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Ravi Pillay (right).
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has presented to
Council a concept plan and way forward for the development
of a Community Health Centre in Ward 13 eSikhaleni.
The eSikhawini Community Health Centre (ECHC) Project
was initiated by the KZNDOH in July 2011 with the appointment
of the Independent Development Trust (IDT) as Implementing
Agent.
A preferred site was identified in the Dube Traditional
Authority Area in Ward 13 and is about 5 hectares in size.
It is proposed the ECHC include a clinic, additional
administration block, guard house, electrical services and
waste building, tuck shop, mortuary, domestic services building,
mothers’ lodges, staff accommodation and three-bedroom staff
houses.
The site is currently owned by the Department of Public
Works but the title deeds are still held by uMhlathuze
Municipality. Therefore the Department of Public Works needs
to request the land to be transferred.
and restoring the dignity of Aquadene and
Brackenham communities. A title deed
might look like just a piece of paper but
its significance surpasses various
generations in a household. In addition,
a title-deed is a surety of undisputed home
ownership and for the 47 beneficiaries
who will be getting theirs this evening it
is a realisation of a life dream.”
He added that beneficiaries have
benefitted from the Department’s
Enhanced Extended Discount Benefit
Scheme (EEDBS). “Through this scheme,
Government aims at helping tenants buy
their rental units (if and when they are
declared saleable). It also helps sales
debtors settle the amount they owe on
their properties (provided these have been
acquired before 1994).
“The EEDBS is just one of the many
varied products in our human settlements
service delivery basket. Others human
settlements products include Gap housing,
Community Residential Units, Social
Housing, Individual Housing Subsidy,
Incremental Housing, People’s Housing
Process, Emergency Housing
Programme, Upgrading of Informal
Settlements Programme, Institutional
Housing Subsidy Programme and the
Finance-linked Individual Subsidy
Programme (FLISP),” he said.
Community Health Centre for eSikhaleni
8
Once the Department has ownership of the site, it will be
necessary for them to give the Department of Health ‘permission
to occupy’ the site.
A development application will be submitted to Council for
consideration in due course.

Zikulise completes
training courses
Zikulise Community Upliftment Project, which leases the Empangeni
Arts and Crafts Centre from Council for skills development and
training, handed out certificates at the end of July to local community
members who have successfully completed courses in baking,
pottery, sewing, industrial sewing, traditional beading and computers.
The training was achieved through funding from the National
Lottery Development Trust Fund, Accenture (SA) Trust and the
ABSA Foundation.
A strong focus at Zikulise is on developing entrepreneurial
talents and some of the trainers are past trainees at the Centre,
who are able to provide motivation and guidance from personal
experience. The programme director, Blessing Nene is a past trainee
who is now employed by Mary Calder, the baking trainer, who runs
her own business. Traditional beading trainer, Linda Masinga attended
training in 2005 and has been a trainer since 2006. He now also
has his own business.
One of the trainees, Thalente Mhlongo spoke to her fellow
trainees about how fortunate they are to have received training at
the centre and encouraged them to use these skills to improve their
lives and possibly start their own businesses.
Taking this one step further, Executive Director of Zikulise Julie
Jonson spoke about “passing it forward” explaining that everyone
who received certificates had received a free gift enabling them to
either be more employable or start their own small business. She
encouraged them to pass the training forward to others in their
community by sharing what they had learnt and thereby becoming
a solution to the unemployment crisis.
Mrs Jonson said that to-date Zikulise has trained over 3 300
people. “If each one of these trainees passed their training forward
and trained only just one other it would mean that 6 600 individuals
had received money-making skills. Obviously if the original 3 300
each trained more people it would have an even greater impact.”
Zikulise Board member, Abby Mchunu gave the vote of thanks
and said she was impressed by the quality of the clothing a beaded
jewellery made and worn by the trainees. She encouraged them to
be “fashion busters” and send their clothing and beaded jewellery
all over the world.
9
Richards Bay Clean Air
Association Monthly Report:
June 2012
SO2 Guideline (Sulphur Dioxide) Exceedances
There were total of six (6) SO 2 exceedances for the month of June
2012, all measured at the RBCAA’s Scorpio Station. Three (3)
measured exceedance of the NEMAQA SO 2 10-minute Standard,
on 6th June 2012. Two (2) measured exceedances of the NEMAQA
SO 2 Hourly Standard, on 6th June 2012. One (1) measured
exceedance of the NEMAQA SO 2 Daily Standard, on 12th June
2012. All six (6) exceedances were attributed to emissions from the
BHP’s Hillside Aluminium Plant. The RBCAA uses the Hawk Model
to produce concentration (dose) maps which predict SO 2 (Sulphur
Dioxide) concentrations in areas where no monitoring equipment
exists.
TRS Odour Threshold Exceedances
TRS is emitted by Mondi and is monitored by the RBCAA at the
Central Sports Complex. There are no South African Standards for
TRS. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends
that in order to avoid substantial complaints about odour annoyance
among the exposed population, hydrogen sulphide concentrations
should not be allowed to exceed 7g/m3 (5ppb), with a 30-minute
averaging period.
PM-10 Exceedances
The RBCAA measures PM10 at 4 sites, Brackenham, Central Sports
Complex, Mtunzini and St Lucia. There no measured exceedances
of the current or future NEMAQA Daily PM-10 Standards.
Air Quality Complaints
There were eleven (11) air quality complaints received for the month
of June 2012.
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

Renewable Energy
projects sought for City
Council is to call for expressions of interest from Independent
Power Producers (IPP) following a presentation to the
Executive Committee at the end of July by the KwaZulu-Natal
Planning Commission on a Solid Biomass to Renewable
Energy (BTRE) Demonstration Project in uMhlathuze
Municipality.
The Provincial Planning Commission representatives
explained that Origin Group has been appointed as a
transaction advisor to the Office of the Premier to develop a
business model for the promotion of alternative energy
demonstration projects in KZN. This is to support the Province
in realizing the renewable energy targets set in the Provincial
Growth and Development Strategy.
Renewable energy will address the negative carbon
footprint in the Province while ensuring energy security and
promoting sustainable use of resources and energy production
and use. Other objectives include community development
through the generation of renewable energy and empowerment
and local economic development through generation and use
of renewable energy.
The Office of the Premier, through the Provincial Planning
Commission, has identified uMhlathuze as a municipality
where a BTRE demonstration project can be pursued and
two potential sites have already been identified.
Producers of biomass include commercial forest owners
and companies; community forests/wood-lot owners and
Traditional Authority entities; commercial cane-grower
consortiums, small-scale cane growers, municipalities (green
garden waste), contract future energy-crop out-growers and
other agricultural waste (i.e. prunings, distilleries and pulp/paper
mill outflows).
When submitting expressions of interest IPPs will be
required to:
• Secure local and willing sustainable biomass supplies
• Engage NERSAS and/or private customers for power off
take
• Provide proven technology with accessible reference sites
• Secure convenient, ready sites with water, roads etc.
• Engage Eskom for grid connection acceptance
• Ensure EIA compliance as per NERSA requirements; and
• Arrange community equity partners including BEE.
After expressions of interest have been received, a report
is to be submitted to Council based upon which Council is to
consider entering into a Power Purchasing Agreement with
the IPP.
Biomass is a biological material derived from living, or
recently living organisms. Potential sources of biomass include
forestry, sugar cane, general agricultural biomass residues
and short-rotation energy crops.
10
Dates to Diarise
September
• 1 September Empangeni SPCA Car Boot Sale opposite the
Zululand Observer from 09:00 to 13:00. Contact Di Cadman on
035-7726515
• 1 September Fish Eagle Bonsai Kai meeting at 14:00. Contact
Betsy de Jong on 0722074079
• 4 September uMhlathuze Municipality Executive Committee
meeting at 14:00 in Council Chambers, Richards Bay Civic
Centre
• 4 September uMhlathuze Municipality Council meeting at 17:00
in Council Chambers, Richards Bay Civic Centre
• 5 September Cancer Support Group monthly meeting at 18:30
in the Bay Hospital Boardroom. Contact Theresa on 035-7806123
or Shirley on 035-7892472
• 5 September Mzingazi WI at 17:00 in the Richards Bay Library
Hall. Contact Rose on 082 598 6204
• 6 September Richards Bay Floral Art Club meeting at 14:00 in
the Richards Bay Library Hall. Contact Bev on 0824525744
• 7 September Golden Oldies at 09:30 at the Empangeni Civic
Centre. Contact Elaine on 035-7721407 or 0824318110
• 8 September Zululand Bonsai meeting. Contact Barry Stofberg
on 0833249392
• 10 September Empangeni WI monthly meeting at 14:30 at
Leisure Gardens. Contact Shelly King on 035-7924939 or 083 989
6278
• 10 September Golden Oldies at 09:30 at the Empangeni Civic
Centre. Contact Elaine on 035-7721407 or 0824318110
• 11 September ZCCI Richards Bay Division monthly meeting at
12:45 at the Pelican Hall, ZCBF. Contact Charmaine 035-7971858
• 12 September Interdenominational Prayer Meeting at the SAPS
Empangeni inner garden from 07:45 to 08:15. Contact Janine
Stone on 035-7725083
• 18 September uMhlathuze Municipality Executive Committee
meeting at 14:00 in Council Chambers, Richards Bay Civic
Centre
• 19 September Richards Bay Garden Club meeting. Contact
Eileen Russell on 035-7534250
• 20 September ZCCI Empangeni Division monthly meeting at
12:45 at Umfolozi Hotel Casino and Convention Centre. Contact
Charmaine 035-7971858
• 21 September Golden Oldies at 09:30 at the Empangeni Civic
Centre. Contact Elaine on 035-7721407 or 0824318110
• 26 September Richards Bay WI monthly meeting at 09:00 in the
Richards Bay Library Hall. Contact Diane 035-7891682
• 28 September Golden Oldies at 09:30 at the Empangeni Civic
Centre. Contact Elaine on 035-7721407 or 0824318110
• 28 September Free rabies clinic at the Veldenvlei Hall in Richards
Bay from 08:00 to 14:00
• 29 September Richards Bay SPCA Open Day
• 29 September Empangeni Morning Market at the Zikulise Arts
and Crafts Centre from 08:00 to 13:00. Contact Julie Jonson on
035-7925477
• 29 September Richards Bay Sea Scout Flea Market at the Steel
Bridge, Richards Bay.
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.

City considers Beach Soccer Cup proposal
After the presentation to the Executive Committee are (left): Methews Oliphant
(Deputy Municipal Manager: Community Services), Dudu Ngidi (Manager: Sport
and Recreation Development), Benjamin Henecka, Mayor Elphas Mbatha and
Deputy Mayor Zethu Gumbi.
The City has received a proposal on behalf
of FIFA for the City to host the 2013 FIFA
Beach Soccer Cup Tournament, a
competition which forms part of the football
federation’s commitment to promote and
structure Beach Soccer globally by means
of competitions, courses and other
proactive measures.
Mr Benjamin Henecka of FIFA gave a
detailed presentation to the Executive
Committee in August. He said the 2013
Tournament is proposed to take place
over three days between January and
May in 2013 and plans to combine live
music, dance, parties, a fashion show and
celebrity entertainment to create a unique
experience.
As part of the proposal, the City of
uMhlathuze will be given an opportunity
to select four national teams of their choice
from a group of international teams such
as Brazil, Spain, Germany, England,
Denmark, Sweden, etc. There will be two
matches per day in a round robin format,
with live or delayed electronic media
coverage on international channels to an
estimated 250 million households globally.
Council supports the proposal in
principle, subject to the availability of
sponsors to fund an estimated
R12 million that needs to be invested
towards logistical support in order for the
City to qualify as the official host of the
tournament.
11
The City is expected to provide a
suitable facility stadium at the beach area
with a minimum capacity of 2 000 to
3 000 seats, including facilities for
concessions and support functions.
Municipal officials are vigorously
pursuing possible sources of funding,
including opportunities to obtain
sponsorship from various government
departments, National Lottery and the
local business sector.
The City has experience in hosting
prominent sporting events including
power-boating and the World Cup
Triathlon.
Hosting an international event of this
size would benefit Council with
commercial benefits such as global reach
and international visibility through
international media coverage. It would
provide a tourism boost for local tourist
attractions, which may lead to follow-on
tourism opportunities.
Investment through the
opportunity to select
countries that are aligned
with Council’s international
i n v e s t m e n t
strategy would also
benefit the local
community by
providing world class
entertainment
and coaching
clinics.
uMhlathuze comes out tops
in National Treasury report
uMhlathuze Municipality’s outstanding debtors longer than
ninety days, expressed as a percentage of total debt, is the
lowest in the country compared with the other twenty secondary
municipalities.
This is according to the report released by the Department
of National Treasury on the outcome for the first quarter ended
31 March 2012 of the country’s secondary municipalities.
uMhlathuze’s total consumer debtors are R216,4 milion
of which R150,6 million arew current debtors that are currently
billed. The debtors schedule shows that uMhlathuze debtors
over 90 days are 22,40% of its total debtors while the average
of the other 20 secondary municipalities is 80,6%. The closest
other municipality is Steve Tshwete Municipality with 45,6%
of its debtors being older than 90 days.
Meanwhile the City’s total budget expenditure as at
31 March 2012 is 71,4%, which is above the aggregate
spending of 60,8% by the secondary cities.
At the end of March municipalities had on average spent
63,8% or R163,8 billion of the R256,7 billion total approved
budget (Capital and Operating).
Of the expenditure budget, uMhlathuze spent 71,4% or
R1,5 billion of R2,1 billion of the approved budget.
The aggregate capital budget for all municipalities for
2011/12 is R46 billion, of which R18,8 billion or 40,86% had
been spent by the end of the third quarter.
uMhlathuze has a capital budget of R166,7 million,
of which R50 million (29,9%) had been spent as at
31 March 2012.

Budding junior Picassos
on display at Museum
The cream of the City’s Junior School art works are on display at the
Empangeni Museum as part of the Mondi Eisteddfod. Participating schools
include Arboretum Primary, Veldenvlei Primary, Vlytige Vingers, Hluhluwe
Private School, Zululand Remedial School, Felixton College, Grantleigh
College, Empangeni Preparatory School and Heuwelland. The exhibition
opened in mid-August and will be on display until the end of September.
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