City celebrates 100 days of changing people’s lives

AFTER learning of the plight of the seven-member Dladla family from Ntambanana, the City of uMhlathuze, in partnership with the King Cetshwayo District (KCD) Municipality decided to build them a house.

The R80 000 four-roomed house was handed over to the ailing Kutula Phineas Dladla (47) and his fiancée Nombuso Xaba (36) on Tuesday.

The family had lived in a mud structure all their lives, compelling three of their older children to stay with relatives.

Accompanied by Sport, Arts and Culture MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi, KCD Mayor Cllr Nonhle Mkhulisi, City of uMhlathuze Mayor Cllr Mdu Mhlongo, his Deputy and Speaker, the Dladla compound became a hive of activity as government officials made speeches, officiated in the cutting of the ribbon to symbolise the opening of the house, handed over the house furniture to the awe-struck Dladla and his fiancé.

The Dladlas became the lucky beneficiaries of the first projects tackled within 100 days in office of the new administration.

Urban road rehab
During this time, the City managed to rehabilitate urban roads from Empangeni Main Road to the arterials as well as in the townships.

The project in which the City invested R40-million is nearing completion.

Empangeni Taxi Rank upgrade
Addressing the media, Umkhadi Trading Construction Director Nonkululeko Mbuyazi said, ‘The Empangeni Taxi Rank construction is now at 62% complete, and we are now waiting for the steel canopy to arrive. By end April 2017 the taxi rank will be completed.’

The project is the first step in the council’s confirmation of its commitment to the revitalisation of Empangeni town.

The council also promised to create a conducive environment for local economic development in the town.

The City further added the Richards Bay Public Transport Facility has just been put on tender evaluation.

eNseleni Market Stalls
The City officials then went to eNseleni where they handed over 36 trading stalls and toilets to the street traders, the taxi industry and the general public.

The one-roomed structures are equipped with electricity and running water from an outside tap, and traders were urged to ensure good upkeep of the structures.

It has also appointed a service provider to do detailed designs and construction drawings for the public transport facility; which is envisaged to improve the way eNseleni looks.

The eNseleni Mall building plans are said to have been approved, and the City will soon appoint a community liaison officer to act as a link between the contractor and the community during the mall construction, which is planned to get under way in 2017.

Liquefied natural gas plant
The City of uMhlathuze has been awarded a 2000 megawatts of gas to power plant to be built in Richards Bay; a project estimated at R50-billion for the people of uMhlathuze and KZN as a whole.

Clean governance
uMhlathuze Municipality Spokesperson Mdu Ncalane added the City has for the fourth time obtained a clean audit in its finance management.

Addressing the media, City Mayor Cllr Mdu Mhlongo said, ‘I’m happy to say within 100 days in office, the city has met all statutory requirements of the local government, which is to establish ward committees in all 32 wards out of 34.

‘It is also worth mentioning the City has approved the 40-40-20 supply chain management amended policy which seeks to empower women, youth and disabled persons.

He mentioned challenges facing the City and measures taken to mitigate them.

‘Like all parts of the country, the City is facing persistent droughts, costing us as we have to spend more money buying water from external sources.

‘In partnership with the private sector, we recently unveiled a desalination plant where we are piloting this system.
‘The water re-use research is also underway where we will redirect used water to industries and save portable water for human consumption.

‘We appeal to our citizens to adhere to water saving messages and water restrictions.

‘We are proud to say in the first 100 days in office we have a lot to show, talk about and have done to improve the lives of our people.

‘As we get ready for the festive mode, we wish to extend our best wishes for the season and reiterate our call to stay alert on the roads.

‘We urge drivers not to drink and drive. We want to serve a sober and healthy society,’ Mhlongo concluded.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 072 069 4169

Instagram – zululand_observer