WOMEN play a vital role in contributing to the economy and this must be celebrated. This was the core message at the Essence Women Empowerment breakfast held on Thursday, 10 November.

1. ETHEKWINI
WEEKLY BULLETIN
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“KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW”
ESSENCE FESTIVAL DURBAN FOCUSES
ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
W
OMEN play a vital
role in contributing
to the economy
and this must be
celebrated. This was the core
message at the Essence Women
Empowerment breakfast held
on Thursday, 10 November.
The breakfast, attended by
a number of business woman
and decision makers in the
City, is one of a number of
programmes lined up for the
inaugural Essence Festival
Durban currently taking place in
the City.
The conference, taking place
at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli
International Convention Centre
(ICC), ends on 13 November.
The festival started on, 8
November and aims to empower
locals and women through
empowerment talks, panel
discussions, fashion, lifestyle
and health.
Minister of Small Business
Development, Lindiwe Zulu,
delivered the keynote address.
She said the breakfast was a
platform for women to network
and share experiences. “Women
need to actively contribute
to the mainstream economy.
The economic development
of women is our priority as a
department. We understand
the challenges women face in
juggling work and home life.
But I encourage women to take
advantage of the opportunities
available to them.”
She said she was leaving
the session empowered after
meeting so many inspiring
women.
EThekwini Mayor Zandile
Gumede, delivering the
welcome address, said women
are strong and the foundation of
a strong society.
Gumede said more women
needed to be placed in senior
positions going forward.
The speeches were followed by
a riveting panel discussion. On
the panel was businesswoman
and media mogul Basetsana
Kumalo, editor of Essence
magazine Vanessa De Luca,
Vice-President of the Durban
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry Vani Moodley and
founder and owner of Cappeny
Estates Yoliswa Gumede.
The panel discussed how
women could break into and
excel in male dominated
industries as well as challenges
on accessing funding to start
and maintain their businesses.
Gumede encouraged female
entrepreneurs to have passion
for their business and products.
“You must also have a business
that stands out, is unique,
bankable and has a product
that people want to buy to be
successful,” she advised.
US TV host Steve Harvey and
singer Kelly Price were among
the delegation. Meanwhile, a
media briefing outlining the
festival’s aims was held at the
ICC on 10 November.
Speaking at the briefing,
Gumede said:“The Essence
Festival is about empowering
black women and I proudly
stand before you today as
a woman who is leading
eThekwini Municipality. This
event is unique and promotes
social cohesion in the City,” she
said.
Head of Tourism and Business
Support, Phillip Sithole said
the festival was about a cultural
exchange and a number of local
artists who would be performing
throughout the festival will
benefit from the event.
Editor of Essence Magazine,
Vanessa De Luca said she was
elated and honoured to be in
Durban and that together the
two cities (Durban and New
Orleans) would be making
history.
“Hosting this event will
promote Durban on the world
stage and cement its status as
an international destination.
This Festival celebrates black
women and is being hosted in a
one-of-a-kind City.”
11 NOVEMBER 2016 [Issue 58]
On the panel during the Essence Women Empowerment breakfast was (L-R)
Essence magazine editor Vanessa De Luca, businesswoman Basetsana
Kumalo, founder and owner of Cappeny Estates Yoliswa Gumede and Vice-
President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vani Moodley.
Mayor Zandile Gumede and Minister of Small
Business Development Lindiwe Zulu both spoke of
the need to support and empower women.

2. www.durban.gov.za
2 ETHEKWINI WEEKLY BULLETIN ISSUE 58
A high-powered Human
Settlement and Infrastructure
Committee delegation
conducted an inspection
at several Community
Residential Units (CRUs)
situated in the south of
Durban where they assessed
living conditions.
Chairperson of the
committee, Councillor Mondli
Mthembu led a delegation
of councillors and Municipal
officials to the following five
CRUs – Jacobs, SJ Smith in
Lamontville, Glebelands in
Umlazi, Umlazi T-section and
KwaMakhutha.
After a vigorous inspection,
Mthembu said a team must
be established immediately
to ensure accelerated service
delivery and an improved
quality of life for people living
in CRUs. Currently, there
are 10 CRUs in eThekwini,
with most undergoing
infrastructural upgrades.
Mthembu said after the
inspection, City leadership
and officials must go back to
the drawing board to come up
with a model that will improve
ETHEKWINI MAYOR ELECTED VICE-
CHAIR OF THE C40 GROUP
CITY ASSESS LIVING CONDITIONS AT
COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL UNITS
the lives of CRU residents.
“Once a uniform model
has been adopted, it will
be implemented in all our
CRUs in eThekwini. From
the inspections conducted
here, it is clear that there is
a lack of strong governance.
We also need dedicated law
enforcement to ensure that no
illegal activities take place in
CRUs. This will also ensure
the safety of our residents,”
he said.
Mthembu expressed concern
at the non-integration of
Municipal services that must
be rendered at CRUs.
“It is critical that we have
an integrated approach
in servicing our residents
occupying these Units. Our
Municipal departments must
come on board and not treat
CRUs as private property.
A Council resolution on
the integration of services
for CRUs was adopted
in 2011. We will ensure
that this resolution is fully
implemented and residents of
CRUs enjoy the same services
as our communities,” he said.
Mthembu also raised concern
about the lack of individual
metering. “Going forward,
each unit must have an
occupant that is registered
for basic services. That is
the only way we will have
accountability. Furthermore, it
is highly important to get our
tenants to register in order to
eradicate illegal occupants,”
elaborated Mthembu.
Also on the cards is the
regulation of informal
businesses at CRUs.
Mthembu added that the
City will continue to restore
people’s dignity by ensuring
humane living conditions in
CRUs.
ETHEKWINI Mayor Zandile
Gumede has been elected as
one of the Vice-Chairpersons
for the C40 Cities Climate
Leadership Group (C40)
Steering Committee.
The committee is the
governing body that provides
strategic direction for the
C40 network of mega-cities
and is committed to action
on climate change. “It is a
great privilege to be elected
to represent African cities
within the C40 network. The
challenge of climate change
is truly global and every city,
country and continent must
play its part in tackling it,”
said Gumede. The second
Vice-Chairperson for the
committee is the Governor
of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike. She
said: “As a member of the
Steering Committee, I will
strive to contribute to C40
and the world’s transition to
low carbon.”
The C40 Cities Climate
Leadership Group, now in its
11th year, connects more than
85 of the world’s greatest
cities, representing more than
650 million people and one
quarter of the global economy.
The group is focused on
tackling climate change and
driving urban action that
reduces greenhouse gas
emissions and climate risks,
while increasing the health,
wellbeing and economic
opportunities of urban
citizens.
Mayors serving as Vice-
Chairs on the committee
represent the geographically
diverse members of the global
network. Koike will represent
Asian cities while Gumede will
represent African cities.
C40 Chair and Mayor of Rio
de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes
congratulated Gumede and
Koike and welcomed them to
the committee.
“Tokyo and Durban have been
pioneers in tackling climate
change, and these leaders will
have a unique role to play in
making the Paris Agreement a
reality in our cities,” he said.
Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee Chairperson,
Councillor Mondli Mthembu accompanied by Councillors and
officials on an inspection of the Jacobs Community Residential
Unit. This is one of five units visited by the delegation today.
Cllr Zandile Gumede
Mayor of eThekwini Municipality

3. www.durban.gov.za
ISSUE 58 ETHEKWINI WEEKLY BULLETIN 3
CITYMONITORSILLEGALACTIVITIESINTHESOUTH
unlawful activities are been
conducted. From Edwin
Swales up to Umkhomazi, our
daily operations have had a
positive impact on the City,”
said Singh.
Ward Councillor for the area,
Mpumelelo Zuma agreed with
Singh and added that the
City has received numerous
complaints from residents and
businesses about excessive
noise from taverns.
Zuma said they have also
received complaints about
unauthorised land use.
“We need to create an
environment where residents
feel safe. The weekly joint
enforcement operations to
BUSINESSES, illegal taverns
and make-shift scrap yards
were some of the culprits
that faced the full might
of the law when eThekwini
Municipality carried out a
joint enforcement operation
in the South Durban Basin
(SDB) recently.
Metro Police, South African
Police Service, Environmental
Health, Building Inspectorate,
and the KZN Liquor Licensing
Authority combed the streets
of Sigamoney and Soupen
Road in Clairwood to enforce
the City’s new by-laws which
came into effect in June
2016.
Metro Police Captain
Samuel Singh said that
the area is notorious for its
illegal shebeens, hawkers,
truckers and taxi operators
who disobey the Road Traffic
Regulations. “The City is
determined to clean-up eye
sore areas where illegal and
tackle the contravention of the
various Municipal by-laws is
addressing these issues,” said
Zuma.
SDB official, Ayanda Mtolo
confirmed that three shebeens
were shut down, adding that
the operators were facing
criminal charges.
ETHEKWINI SUPPORTS CORNUBIA
SHOPPING CENTRE DEVELOPMENT
THE proposal to subsidise the
Cornubia Shopping Centre
development by implementing
a rates rebate totalling
approximately R4.8 million
received a unanimous nod
from the City’s Economic
Development and Planning
Committee on, 10 November.
In a report tabled before
the committee, Project
Manager Steve Angelos said
the proposal is in line with
the Municipality’s Economic
Development Incentive Policy
approved in July this year.
The policy seeks to facilitate
information sharing as well
as offer financial or property
rates tax rebates to investors
and developers during
construction. It also aims to
stimulate economic growth,
job creation and investment in
the City.
“We are assigned to promote
economic development in
the City and create jobs. This
project alone is envisaged
to create a number of
temporary and permanent
jobs, therefore it is vital for us
to create a developer friendly
environment for investors
to address challenges of
unemployment,” added
Angelos.
The Cornubia Shopping
Centre is part of the Cornubia
Business Hub, which is a
precinct within the broader
Cornubia Integrated Human
Settlements project. The
Shopping Centre will offer
a mix of eateries, fashion,
lifestyle and sports outlets,
which are integrated into an
outdoor family-orientated
shopping destination.
“Approximately 1 200 to 1
500 temporary jobs will be
created during the period of
February 2016 to October
2017 which is the expected
completion date,” he said.
Angelos revealed that once
the centre is operational it
will create approximately 1
700 to 2000 permanent jobs.
Chairperson of the Economic
Development and Planning
Committee, Sipho Kaunda
applauded the committee’s
unanimous stance on matters
aimed at accelerating
economic growth and
development in the City.
“The Integrated Development
Plan is clear about developing
a prosperous and diverse
economy and creating
employment. Subsidising this
centre is evident that we are
on the right track towards
creating strong economic
growth, sustainable jobs and
alleviating poverty,” added
Kaunda.
EThekwini Municipality has proposed to subsidise the Cornubia
Shopping Centre development in order to create economic
growth, sustainable jobs and alleviate poverty.
Municipal officials
and members of the
South African Police
Service raided
businesses, illegal
taverns and make-
shift scrap yards
during a joint by-law
enforcement oper-
ation in the South
Durban Basin. Three
illegal shebeens
in the area were
closed down.

4. www.durban.gov.za
Email: gugu.mbonambi@durban.gov.za
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EDITORIAL TEAM
EDITOR: Tozi Mthethwa, Head of Communications • CONTENT EDITOR: Gugu Sisilana
SUB-EDITOR: Nondumiso Mathomane • WRITERS: Princess Nkabane, Charmel Payet,
Nonduduzo Ngcongo, Jessie Singh, Silindile Maluleka and Vukile Mbata.
DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Sandile Sokhela
FIRST LADY HIGHLIGHTS HEALTH AND
WELLNESS AT ESSENCE FESTIVAL
South Africa’s First Lady
Bongi Ngema-Zuma has called
on all citizens to lead a healthy
and active lifestyle.
Speaking at the Essence
Festival Durban Healthy
Lifestyle and Wellness Seminar
on 10 November, Ngema-Zuma
also highlighted the importance
of regular exercise.
The seminar, she said,
couldn’t have come at a better
time as November is diabetes
awareness month. Ngema-
Zuma, who has a diabetes
organisation urged people not
to discriminate against those
living with the disease. “You
find that people living with
diabetes are scared to tell their
families and friends because
they are afraid of being
judged,” she said, adding that
diabetes is a close subject
to her because of personal
experiences.
The seminar, which was
attended by several experts
from different health
organisations was a huge
success. Guests included local
fitness fanatic Sbahle Mpisane
TO CURB further loss of lives
during flood storms while
ensuring that Municipal
infrastructure is not damaged
and service operations are
not affected, eThekwini
Municipality is working on a
Flood Early Warning System.
The system, which is based
on an open source software
provides a state-of-the-art
hydrological forecast and
warning system. The system
which is still in the testing
phase, is a sophisticated
collection of modules designed
for building a hydrological
forecasting system customised
for specific requirements.
This new system will allow
the importing of relevant
weather data and will
enable the City to give prior
notification to all areas likely
to be flooded and deploy the
Disaster Management teams
immediately before disaster
struck.
The City’s Engineering Unit is
currently finalising a pilot study
that will provide forecasting on
rainfall runoff, water quality
and many more parameters
that are relevant for eThekwini
residents.
Deputy Head for Coastal
Stormwater and Catchment
Management, Randeer
Kasserchun said the City was
hoping to run its first pilot
by the end of February 2017
and then go completely live
by the end of 2017. However,
he said this was subject to
the procurement of certain
measuring equipment.
Kasserchun said eThekwini
Municipality is currently
making use of numerous live
feeds of internal data and
developed hydrological models
of rivers within the Metro.
“These live feeds include
rain gauges, weather stations,
water level instrumentation of
rivers and wave rider buoys.
We are making use of the
Global Forecasting Models but
we are hoping to enhance the
accuracy of forecasting through
the acquisition of further
equipment,” he said.
Kasserchun said considering
the recent climate change and
the recent floods in Durban
and other provinces, the City is
taking a proactive approach by
investigating best practices in
forecasting flooding and what
options are available to the
Municipality.
CITY’S PROACTIVE FLOOD RELIEF INTERVENTION PLAN
and food scientist, Professor
Tim Noakes who encouraged
people to consume proteins
instead of carbohydrates.
He said carbohydrates prevent
your body from burning fats.
“Proteins are good foods that
people have been eating for
millions of years,” he said.
Dr. Victor Ramathesele, who
was the first team doctor for
Bafana Bafana spoke about
stress management, saying too
much stress makes you age
faster. He also emphasised
the importance of male
circumcision, saying it limits
the chances of getting sexually
transmitted diseases.
“Men over the age of 30
should check their prostate at
least once a year, in order to
prevent prostate cancer,” he
said.
Radio personality Phindi Gule,
who has run four Comrades
Marathon advised anyone
who wants to partake in the
marathon to first consult their
doctor before making any
attempts.
Speaking about her fitness
journey which dates back to
high school, Mpisane said she
was initially unhappy with her
body, but has over the years
come to love it after working
towards transforming it.
American Fitness instructor,
Shaun T said people should not
be pressurised into having the
perfect body by pictures they
see online.
“Some people post edited
photos with abs, yet they don’t
work towards achieving that
goal. Don’t pressurise yourself
into looking like those people,
rather work towards achieving
your own body goal,” he said.
South Africa’s first lady Bongi Ngema-Zuma and American
Fitness instructor, Shaun T (above) were some of the guest
speakers at the Essence Festival Durban Healthy Lifestyle and
Wellness Seminar.