Mayor lends ear to Ballito

Identifying Ballito as an economic hub in the area, KwaDukuza mayor Ricardo Mthembu emphasised the need for it to be given special attention.
These sentiments were shared at the Ballito council chambers last Wednesday evening during the annual Mayoral Imbizo. Residents of ward six were encouraged to attend and about 50 people packed into the chamber to hear the latest updates and pose questions to the Mayor and his team of directors.
One of the most contentious issues up for discussion was the community hall at Townsend Park, currently rented by the Ballito Lions club,.The hall will be upgraded and made available for public use.
“We will be enhancing the existing structure and making sure the facility is available to the local community,” said special projects director Siyabonga Khanyile.
In his report on Ballito’s roadworks Khanyile said the P445 (Ballito Drive) upgrade is a priority and traffic management plans have been arranged. Boards displaying alternative routes will also be put up to relieve traffic congestion at the Ballito entrance during the holiday season.
The upgrading of side-walks in ward six is nearing completion. The R1.6 million project official hand over will be arranged in the coming weeks.
Director of economic development and planning Mava Ntanta said a rates policy has been amended and approved by council which could see a Special Rating Area implemented.
The extra rates would go towards the proposed Urban Improvement Precinct in the Ballito area. This would bring some fairly major infrastructure upgrades, which will need extra funds for upkeep.
Council also supported the Ballito Street Heroes, contributing R740 000 to the event. Ntanta estimated that Street Heroes brought about 4,500 people to the area.
Ballito’s beaches should also see upgrades in the near future. The Beach Nodes Framework Plan is in its final stages, which will outline how the beaches and their facilities can be upgraded.
“It is still a concept and will go out for public consultation after  finalisation,” said Ntanta.
Another topical issue was law enforcement and the prevalence of taxi violence. Mayor Mthembu conceded that taxi violence is a serious problem and said steps are being taken to deal with it at a national level.
Mthembu said that the perpetrators believed they were above the law.