eThekwini Municipality - CITY TO HOST NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATION2016-03-16 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DECISIONS
CITY TO HOST NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATION The Executive Committee approved a report for the City to partner with the two other spheres of government, namely Provincial and National, to host the Human Rights Day celebration on 21 March 2016. The Department of Arts and Culture in partnership with the Department of Justice and Correctional Services will be hosting the event which will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The theme for the 2016 Human Rights Day is ‘South Africa United against Racism’. Human Rights Day is a national day commemorated annually on the 21st of March to remind South Africans about the sacrifices made during the struggle for the attainment of democracy in the country. It also allows citizens to reflect on the progress made in the promotion and protection of human rights. The City’s contribution to the event will be to provide the use of the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Speaker Logie Naidoo said the City should be supporting such events especially given the theme of non-racialism. CITY TO SUPPORT AMAKHOSI TO ATTEND CULTURAL EVENT Maintaining the cultural component in eThekwini was of vital importance. It is in this vein that the Executive Committee approved a report from the Embothimuni Traditional Council and Maphumulo Traditional Council requesting financial assistance. Both the Amakhosi will pay a visit to eNyokeni Palace as part of a traditional ceremony before the two Amakhosi are installed by iSilo (King Goodwill Zwelithini). Although Amakhosi have been in power for some time, they have not officially been inaugurated by iSilo. The function is scheduled to take place on Friday, 18 March. The City will be assisting by supplying four buses and paying for catering for 240 of the attendees travelling with the Amakhosi to the event. Chief Whip Stanley Xulu said the City was assisting only with it could afford. He said it was incumbent on the City to assist the Amakhosi as they were part of Municipality. “This is part of our culture. Other municipalities contribute and do what they can to assist Amakhosi.†Zandile Gumede, chairwoman of the Health, Safety and Social Services Committee said Amakhosi are part of the Council and should be adequately taken care of. “We love them, they are part of us. Even so, we are only offering them limited assistance. We need to allow the Amakhosi to go and be part of this event,†she said. Deputy Mayor Nomvuzo Shabalala said the City had to build relationships with all stakeholders including the Amakhosi. “It’s our function as the Municipality. Amakhosi are members of eThekwini, they are ratepayers of the City. What we are doing is correct,†she said. LAND INVASION UNIT GETS A BOOST The Executive Committee approved a report tabled today, requesting City Manager Sibusiso Sithole to be mandated to investigate and engage private security on an emergency basis to compliment the Land Invasion Unit. This was necessary given the emergence of organised land invasions in various parts of the City recently. Sithole would assist with trucks to collect and dispose the material used in the erection of informal structures. He would also report back to the Executive Committee on the financial implications of these interventions. The head of the City’s legal unit would also be mandated to take legal steps to prevent any further land invasion. Land invasions have been prevented in Umlazi, Cato Crest and other parts of the City in the past few days. The Land invasion Unit works together with the Metro Police and SAPS. A noted trend with land invasions is that they often take place over weekends and after hours requiring staff to work overtime. Another challenge faced by the Unit is the lack of trucks to assist in disposing of the materials used to build. The recommendations of the report tabled before the Executive Committee will assist in this regard. The report was praised for being proactive for dealing with this issue. CITY TO GET ASSISTANCE FOR DROUGHT RELIEF INITIATIVES EThekwini Municipality will be working closely with officials from Umgeni Water following a directive from the National Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane. A letter was received by the Office of the Mayor which outlined the assistance the City will be receiving from Umgeni Water in accordance with the Water Services Act to reduce the current water loss being experienced in the City. The report sought the approval from the Executive Committee for the acceptance of the offer in principle and for the head of the eThekwini Water and Sanitation Unit to engage with Umgeni Water and the national Department of Water and Sanitation around modalities for implementation of this initiative. Deputy Mayor Nomvuzo Shabalala said while they welcomed this intervention, measures have been put in place to reduce water loss which included the replacement of asbestos pipes. “The Water and Sanitation Department is not sitting back and folding their hands. They are working hard to reduce the water loss in the City. This is an added benefit as National Government will assist in the collaboration of further initiatives,†she said. Speaker Logie Naidoo said the City welcomed the support. ENDS Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Head, Tozi Mthethwa. For more information members of the media can contact Gugu Sisilana on 031 311 4855 or email: gugu.mbonambi@durban.gov.za or Princess Nkabane on 031 311 4818 or princess.nkabane@durban.gov.za |
eThekwini Municipality - CITY TO HOST NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATION
Copyright © 2024 KwaZulu-Natal Top Business
