Backwards never, forward ever! Celebrate our human rights now!

Today, 10 December, together with the rest of the international community, we will celebrate International Human Rights Day. This day also marks the conclusion of the important and highly successful 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women and Children. And today our President recognised leaders who have made a difference.

Let's do all we can to promote a non-racial,non-sexist, caring and compassionate eThekwini. In our work situation, let's focus on serving the municipality (the people, the administration and the political leadership provided by the council) with all our energy.

EXCO Decisions: 3 December 2002

1.EXCO Correction: I need to correct a typing error. In last week's newsletter, I reported on the EXCO resolution that we will now (the error was I had said not!) enforce the law and deduct from employees salaries/wages all outstanding amounts owed to the municipality. So to all employees, please pay up now or else we will be deducting from your salary what you owe the municipality!

2.Bluff Headland Heritage Park: Together with the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), we are organising a competition for the design of a visitor facility and peace centre on the Bluff Headland precinct. This competition has drawn entrants from throughout Africa and will again put eThekwini on the map!

3.Rental Review: EXCO approved a report requesting that rentals charged to tenants in Body Corporates be reduced.

4.Approval of posts for Air Quality Management: In spite of what some may be saying in the media, eThekwini is doing everything it can as part of a Multi-Point Plan to ensure we have cleaner, greener and economically sustainable industrial areas in the Southern Basin. EXCO approved the creation of a number of posts to support our Air Quality Management strategy.

5.Grant-in-Aid to Kloof SPCA: EXCO approved an emergency grant-in-aid to Kloof SPCA to assist them given the work they do in providing a sanctuary for lost, abandoned and neglected animals.

Bus Fare Increases

EXCO approved the following fares increases:

1.Mynah Bus fares & Aqualine off peak fares remain unchanged & all other fares increase by approximately 4.5%.

2.Pensioner coupons increase from R11.00 to R11.50.

3.Scholar coupons from R32.00 to R33.00.

4.A 7 stage coupon from Ntuzuma & Umlazi to City from R45.00 to R47.00.

5.The 7 stage peak cash fare from Ntuzuma & Umlazi to City from R7.60 to R7.90.

The fares increase is a contractual obligation in terms of our interim contract with Department of Transport and is also necessitated by increases in Fuel (18.5%), Spares (33%) and wages (8%).

Inview of the above costs and the prevailing CPIX our increase is reasonable. Incidentally, other operators including taxi's have also increased fares of late, the average being about 8%.

Did you know?

eThekwini Municipality entered into a public private partnership (PPP) with Durban Water Recycling to treat 48 Ml/d of waste water to near potable quality water for recycling back to industries in the South Durban Industrial Basin. This is only the second example of the use of domestic effluent being reclaimed for fine papermaking. At capacity, the Durban Water Recycling plant will meet 7% of the city's current potable water demand and will reduce the city's treated wastewater output by 10%. The released potable water, previously drawn by industrial consumers, becomes available for redistribution to previously disadvantaged, peri-urban communities without the need to invest in major bulk water supply and treatment infrastructure. This released volume of potable water can be used to extend water supply to up to 220 000 households in the greater Durban area based on 6kl/ household per month.