eThekwini Weekly Bulletin “Keeping you in the know”

1. “KEEPINg YOU IN thE KNOW”
ciTy TackLes proBLem BuiLdings
and crime in municipaL-wide BLiTZ
I
N a bid to enforce the
Problem Buildings By-law,
tackle crime and close
down illegal businesses,
ethekwini municipality’s multi-
disciplinary task team went
out in full force on 21 march,
arresting and fining all those
found to be on the wrong side
of the law.
The team, made up of officials
from the Inner City ethekwini
regeneration and Urban
management Programme
(itrump), the Electricity Unit,
Water and Sanitation, Urban
management Zone, Business
Licensing, Fire and Emergency
Services, metro Police and
external stakeholders such the
South african Police Service
(SaPS) and the Department
of home affairs, inspected
more than ten buildings and
businesses in the City.
Itrump Senior manager
hoosen moolla said monthly
enforcement operations were
conducted and were not only
targeted at effectively dealing
with dilapidated buildings, but
also addressing social ills such
as drug use as well as fining
and closing down illegal or
unlicensed businesses.
“the aim of the enforcements
is to maintain a clean city
that is free of crime and
grime. the City also welcomes
the involvement of all our
stakeholders such as the SaPS
and the Department of home
affairs, because through the
joint effort we have seen better
results,” he said.
the enforcement operation
led to the arrest of five people
found in possession of drugs
and four people who were
found living in the country
illegally. Furthermore, three
illegal businesses were fined.
moolla said the enforcements
were producing excellent
results with more building
owners approaching the City
to find out about the Problem
Building By-law and what it
entails.
“We have also found that
during the raids an increasing
number of buildings were
evacuated. We will continue
liaising with the owners so that
the buildings can be renovated
for the betterment of the City,”
he said.
moolla encouraged residents
to log onto the City’s website:
durban.gov.za to educate
themselves about all City by-
laws.
ETHEKWInI
WEEKly BUllETIn
www.durban.gov.za
By 2030 ethekwini will be africa’s most caring and liveable city 21 april 2017 [Issue 74]
The City’s multi-disciplinary task team has unveiled that more unscrupulous landlords continue to take advantage of
unsuspecting residents who are forced to pay exorbitant amounts for rent while living under inhumane conditions.

2. www.durban.gov.za
2 eThekwini weekly BulleTin issue 74
iT’s aLL sysTems go For The worLd
economic Forum on aFrica
EthEKWINI is ready to
maximise opportunities
presented by the World
Economic Forum on africa
(WEFa) to drive radical
economic transformation and
empower local entrepreneurs.
the Forum will take place at
Durban’s Inkosi albert Luthuli
International Convention
Centre from 3 to 5 may.
themed “Driving economic
transformation in africa
through inclusive growth
models”, the high-profile
conference is expected
to attract 21 heads of
State, representatives from
international entrepreneurship
organisations, civil society,
academia, young global
leaders and technology
pioneers who will deliberate
on how to collectively
stimulate economic growth.
tabling the WEFa state of
readiness report in the City’s
Economic Development and
Planning Committee sitting
on 20 april, Deputy head
for Investment Promotion,
russell Curtis said they have a
number of side events aimed
at showcasing the work of
local entrepreneurs.
Curtis said the first event
is the Youth Breakfast
Discussion to take place on 3
may at the Durban Exhibition
Centre (DEC) under the theme
“the role of Youth Innovation
in Integrating african
markets”.
“this will present an
interactive discussion between
local youth sourced from the
ethekwini Youth Desk, WEF
young global leaders and
WEF global shapers on how
to support africa to achieve
inclusive growth,” said Curtis.
he added that the second
event will be the thought
Leadership Breakfast on 4
may which will focus on the
role of business in achieving
inclusive growth in africa. the
event will also be held at the
DEC.
“This will profile and position
South africa as key partner
and driver of the continent’s
growth agenda,” added Curtis.
the thought Leadership event
will attract international and
local WEF participants as
well as key stakeholders from
KwaZulu-Natal.
“We are faced with the huge
task of positioning the City
as an investment destination
of choice in order to fast-
track economic growth and
hosting this Forum is a great
opportunity to achieve this
vision,” added Curtis.
In addition, Curtis said,
“made in Fashion” is another
much anticipated side event
that will strengthen the City’s
plans of becoming africa’s
fashion capital.
the programme will house 40
design creatives in fashion,
arts and music and will
include exhibitions, pop-up
shops, master classes, panel
discussions as well as a
cultural and fashion showcase.
“the event will be open to
WEFa delegates who have
expertise in the sector and
will be a great opportunity
for Durban-based creatives
to showcase their work and
generate income. they will
also be empowered through
engaging with other industry
global role players through
discussions at master
classes,” added Curtis.
Economic Development
and Planning Committee
Chairperson Councillor
Sipho Kaunda said their
duty is to create a conducive
environment for business and
attracting big events like the
WEFA, fulfills that objective.
“this will provide vast
opportunities for trade and
investment. Businesses
can also create linkages with
potential future clients or
partners,” added Councillor
Kaunda.
Plans are afoot for the
construction of a new
ethekwini municipal
academy, a higher learning
institution, which seeks
to position the City as an
international centre of
learning and innovation.
this was revealed by head
of the academy, Dr mpilo
Ngubane during ethekwini
municipality’s governance
and human resources
Committee meeting on 20
april.
Ngubane presented the
concept of the academy
and how it would respond to
learning and development
challenges in ethekwini.
he said the establishment of
the academy follows a bold
decision taken by Council
for an institution focused
on promoting learning and
development.
“a high-level feasibility
study has been completed
with technical feasibility
80 percent complete. also
60 percent of external
and 80 percent of internal
stakeholders have been
consulted. Once the public
participation process has
been done the construction
of the building will start in
2019 and is expected to be
complete in 2021,” he said.
two proposed sites in Umbilo
and Cato manor have been
identified. Advertisements
calling for applicants to
study at the academy will
be published once the
construction of the facility
has been completed.
Ngubane said they received
accreditation for this
institution last year and
intend to have an integrated
approach in developing
communities and human
capital through the academy.
this will be done through
local and international
partnerships that have
been created which
include partnerships with
organisations, private
companies and institutions of
higher learning.
Chairperson of the
governance and human
resources Committee,
Councillor Barbara Fortein
said they were excited
about the academy as it will
empower the youth and the
community at large. She
encouraged youth to make
use of opportunities available
through the academy.
“People with disabilities and
the youth must work closely
with councillors so that they
are exposed to the many
offerings of the academy,”
she added.
ciTy To buiLd a municiPaL academy for
higher Learning

3. www.durban.gov.za
that they could have more
free time to do the things they
love,” said Nciki, adding that
the world is full of challenges
and opportunities.
Chairperson of the Economic
Development and Planning
Committee Councillor
Sipho Kaunda praised the
issue 74 eThekwini Weekly Bulletin 3
EThekwini and SmartXchange
empowers young entrepreneurs
SmartXchange, eThekwini
Municipality’s Information
Communication Technology
(ICT) incubator, awarded R5
million to a group of young
entrepreneurs at their annual
review function at the Durban
Country Club on 19 April.
One of the six recipients,
included Nicky Worthmann,
a local bee-keeper whose
passion for sustainability and
technology has led to the
development of a smart app
for bee-keepers and suppliers.
Another recipient, Sandile
Khanyile, a young commuter
has developed Taxi Q App,
a mobile app that allows
commuters and taxi owners
to track the routes and
schedules of public taxis.
Scelo Nciki who operates
his concierge business from
the incubation hub received
R500 000 in funding.
“I had a dream of helping
people with their errands so
Chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning
Committee Councillor Sipho Kaunda and Deputy Head for
Economic Development and Investment Promotion Ajiv Maharaj
with the six recipients who were awarded funding from
SmartXchange for their innovative business ideas.
City, the Small Enterprise
Development Agency (Seda)
and the Technology Innovation
Agency (TIA) for assisting
entrepreneurs to grow their
small business ideas into
thriving businesses that add
to the economic growth of
KwaZulu-Natal and the City.
Addressing stakeholders
at the annual event,
SmartXchange’s CEO
Johnathan Naidoo said that
from April 2004 to December
2016, SmartXchange has had
a collective Small, Medium
and Micro-sized Enterprises
(SMMEs) net profit of R196
million. In that period it also
created 1314 permanent jobs
and just under 3000 casual
jobs.
Naidoo added that eThekwini
is quickly establishing
itself as a leading City for
technology incubation for
SMMEs and development.
“Full credit goes out to the
staff, funders, sponsors and
the entrepreneurs for their
commitment, ownership
and dedication to personal
development. Each had a role
to play and has successfully
contributed to the innovative
culture and vision of
SmartXchange,” he said.
Tourism Indaba key to Durban and
Africa’s economic growth
ETHEKWINI is set to bid to
host the Tourism Indaba for
another five years from 2018,
following the event’s major
contribution to the growth of
tourism and the economy in
KwaZulu-Natal.
The City’s bid for Africa’s
largest tourism trade show
was unanimously approved
by all members of the City’s
Economic Development and
Planning Committee on 20
April.
The event takes place
annually in different cities and
in its 37 years of existence,
eThekwini has hosted the
tourism trade show for 26
consecutive years.
The event which attracts more
than 7 000 quality buyers
from around the world will be
held at Inkosi Albert Luthuli
International Convention
Centre on 16 to 18 May. This
year marks the end of the
hosting rights for the City as
per the existing contract.
Acting Deputy City Manager
for the Economic Development
and Planning Cluster,
Phillip Sithole said it is very
important for Durban to win
the bid because the City
needs such big tourism events
to continue profiling local
offerings to the entire world.
“Tourism is one of the key
economic boosters and Indaba
alone injects more than R100
million to the City’s Gross
Domestic Product and creates
approximately 900 day jobs
during its build-up,” revealed
Sithole.
Sithole went on to say that
hosting this trade show is
the greatest global marketing
platform for local tour
operators and product owners
from the Southern African
Development Community
region to exhibit and meet
international traders.
“This year, we will host
50 buyers from the United
States of America and media,
30 buyers from the United
Kingdom who will also be
taken on tours to market
local products which includes
township tourism,” said
Sithole.
He added that they will also
continue to allocate stands
to nine local community
tourism organisations and
Green Corridor to market their
services in their respective
areas.
“Indaba truly promotes the
destination and profile of the
City to a bigger audience. Last
year, 166 international media
and 900 buyers attended the
event. This year we anticipate
170 global media and more
than 900 buyers,” added
Sithole.
Durban Tourism
won the best
stand category
at the 2016
Tourism Indaba
after wowing
attendees
with its well-
structured stand
design.

4. www.durban.gov.za
Email: gugu.mbonambi@durban.gov.za
If you would like to submit feedback or
contribute to eThekwini Weekly Bulletin
Editorial Team
Editor: Tozi Mthethwa, Head of Communications • Content editor: Gugu Sisilana
SUB-editor: Nondumiso Mathomane • Writers: Charmel Payet, Nonduduzo Ngcongo,
Princess Nkabane, Khayelihle Sengani, Vuyo Ndlovu and Jessie Singh
design and layout: Sandile Sokhela
ETHEKWINI RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED
TO KEEP RECYCLING
Despite a slight interruption
to supply of orange bags,
eThekwini Mayor Zandile
Gumede has encouraged
residents to continue to be
civic-minded and recycle.
She said with every resident
playing their part and making
the decision to recycle, it will
assist the City in achieving its
vision of being Africa’s most
caring and liveable City by
2030.
“There are many benefits
for a city when residents
and business alike make the
conscious decision to recycle.
It reduces the amount of
waste sent to landfill sites
and has a positive impact on
conserving natural resources.
I urge all residents to
continue to recycle,” Mayor
Gumede said.
EThekwini Municipality
services 365 000 households
with 15 orange bags every
quarter. That translates to an
estimated 5.47 million orange
bags delivered to residents
every three months.
This resulted in 3 961
tonnes of orange bags and
domestic recycling collected
from July to December 2016.
That is an estimated 660
tonnes a month.
However, a number of
households have been
affected by orange bag
delivery and distribution due
to a shortage of bags caused
by issues with the current
supplier. Internal processes
are currently underway to
resolve the issue. Due to
these challenges, the Durban
Solid Waste (DSW) Unit
requests all residents affected
by the interruption, to use
clear bags in the interim for
all recyclables. They are
requested to place plastic,
cardboard and paper in one
clear bag and glass and cans
in a separate clear bag. These
bags are supplied by the
Municipality.
Head of DSW, Raymond
Rampersad, said the orange
bag distribution has been
disrupted for a few months
due to the increase in volumes
of bags requested. However,
it is expected to resume
to its original supply and
distribution shortly after the
issue has been resolved, he
said.
“As much as supply has
been disrupted, almost
75 percent of eThekwini
households are still receiving
their orange bags. DSW would
like to thank members of the
public for their participation
in the Kerbside Recycling
Programme more commonly
known as the Orange
Recycling Bag programme
over the years,” he said.
Rampersad said the public
can contact DSW’s education
section to learn more about
recycling and how to make a
difference.
Residents who are not
receiving their orange bags
can contact the DSW Helpline
on 031 303 1665/031 322
7080/031 311 8804 or
email: kdbarec@durban.gov.za
DSW education officers will
take down their details and
arrange for delivery of bags.
Residents can also call or
email the above numbers
if they have any comments
or questions about DSW’s
recycling programme.
“We appreciate residents’
participation and partnership
in this project and look
forward to their continued
support,” Rampersad added.
The third instalment of a series
of dialogues, in the run-up to the
3rd Social Cohesion Conference,
will unpack how a united and
collaborative effort between
business people of different
racial groups (particularly Black
and Indian) can positively
contribute to the economy of the
Municipality.
The dialogue, to take place at
Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli
International Convention Centre
(ICC) on 25 April from 17h00,
seeks to address one of the main
challenges in the City, which is
unlocking the potential of all
participants in order to generate
broader economic benefits.
The hard-hitting, straight-talk
dialogues are a build-up to the
3rd Social Cohesion Conference
scheduled to take place at the
ICC from 29 to 31 May.
Esteemed leaders in the
business sector including Gugu
Xaba, Moses Tembe, Jonathan
Annipen and Ashwin Trikamjee
will lead the discussion at the
dialogues, tackling issues head-
on. These include the hindrances
to achieving social cohesion
between business people of
different racial groups, how these
can be overcome and how the
playing fields can be levelled so
that all participants receive equal
economic opportunities for the
greater benefit of the City.
Social Cohesion Dialogue to unite different
racial groups IN ETHEKWINI
Upcoming
Events