NEWS
Page 2 METRO ezasegagasini
24 June – 07 July 2022
Durban tourism industry “Never say die” attitude on a winning streak
NEWS IN BRIEF
ABOUT US
The Metro Ezasegagasini is the official eThekwini Municipality
Apply for payment relief programme CUSTOMERS in debt are urged to approach the eThekwini Municipality as the debt relief programme has been re-instated. It will come to an end on 30 June 2022. Customers that are 90 days in arrears can sign a payment arrangement with a 5% down payment for residential customers and 10% for non-residential customers. The interest accumulated will be written off once the payment arrangement has been entered. However, if a customer defaults on the arrangement, all interest written-off will be reinstated. The payment plan will be for the maximum period of 36 months with no interest added. Accreditation still open for Durban FilmMart REGISTRATION remains open for both online and physical participation for the 13th Durban FilmMart (DFM) taking place from 22 to 31 July 2022. The DFM, which is one of the continent’s foremost film industry events, will continue with the digital shift by hosting the event online while an in-person three- day industry event will be presented from 22 to 24 July. A virtual programme will take place for the duration of the event. Programme details for the in-person component of DFM will be released in due course. Visit https:// durbanfilmmart.co.za/dfm- event-2022/ to review the participation options, and to explore the full programme of activities and opportunities on offer. Sand replenishment at Point Beach THE public is advised of the sand nourishment campaign taking place on Durban’s Point Beach, close to the North Pier. The sand replenishment is being rolled out jointly by eThekwini Municipality and Transnet National Ports Authority. It will run from 15 June into July 2022. The time frame may change based on operational factors that need to be taken into consideration. The public is urged to exercise caution during the sand replenishment campaign as work zones on the beach will be inaccessible which is to ensure public safety. The City urges the public to adhere to the safety measures that will be in place.
publication through which ratepayers and residents are informed of news and
NONDUDUZO NGCONGO DURBAN’S inaugural Tourism Business Awards has boosted confidence and pride in the industry which is still recovering from a string of unprecedented knocks. Durban Tourism recognised and rewarded tourism and hospitality businesses who overcame the triple challenge of COVID-19, the July unrest, and the recent floods. Judges had a tough time whittling the entries down to 51 and there was a buzz of anticipation at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) on 15 June during the awards prize giving ceremony. There were ten categories in the awards and five in the Mayor’s Special Achievement Award. Judge and Chief Executive Officer of the Durban ICC Lindiwe Rakharebe said: “The response to the awards showed Durban’s tourism businesses have a ‘never say die’ attitude. When life throws them lemons, they make lemonade.” Rakharebe said every entrant was a top performer. “When the finalists were chosen, the task of judging became even more difficult.” Among the categories, the rickshaw pullers was particularly unique to
perspectives in greater Durban. It is a forum for readers’ views and is published fortnightly on a Friday, with 100 000 copies distributed. To contact us : Metro Ezasegagasini, PO Box 5588, Durban, 4000 News Editor : Tel: 031 311 4844 news.desk@durban.gov.za Reception :
Tel : 031 311 4827 Fax : 031 332 8051
STAFF
Editor: Lindiwe Khuzwayo News Editor: Nondumiso Mathomane Sub Editor: Charmel Payet Writers: Nonduduzo Ngcongo, Romita Hanuman-Pillay, Themba Khumalo, Sohana Singh, Siphelele Buthelezi, Priah Dass, Jessie Singh, Nonhlanhla Mkhabela, Simphiwe Dlamini, Mlungisi Dlamini, Khaya Sengani, Gugu Mdlalose and Sane Shandu Translator: Nonhlanhla Mkhabela Graphic Designers: Zimana Bashe, Zama Zwane, Sandile Sokhela, Nosipho Mbuthuma, Dalingcebo Msomi and Sthe Jeza-Govuzela
Rickshaw puller Mfanafuthi Nxumalo walked away with an impressive R50 000 at the inaugural Durban Tourism Business Awards. Picture: SUPPLIED
Durban. These popular beachfront figures, complete with their colourful regalia, have stood the test of time. The winner, Mfanafuthi Nxumalo brought the crowd to their feet when he collected his prize. Nxumalo, 35, from KwaMashu, went home with a R50 000 cheque. He said he is still in disbelief about his winnings. “This money will accelerate my dreams of opening
another tourism- related business.” Nxumalo joined the rickshaw business in 2017 to support his family after his father passed away. His father was also a rickshaw operator. “I witnessed, through my father, that it is possible to make a living by being a rickshaw operator.” Nxumalo is based at Joe Cools in North Beach, but he can also be found
at uShaka Marine World. EThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda said: “What was considered in each of the Mayor’s Special Achievement categories were each winner’s consistent business retention and expansion and the business model and brand sustainability. We looked at how the business remained competitive with its offering.”
Photographer: Pumla Khwela
Rejuvenating the inner city
Three prestigious awards for City’s Engineering Unit
PRIAH DASS THE intensified Inner City Regeneration Programme has seen progress with over 80 percent of the 33 identified buildings being renovated. The programme was introduced last year to eradicate problem buildings in the Central Business District (CBD) in collaboration and consultation with property owners, the Department of Public Works, and Transnet. The strides made in the programme was highlighted in the budget speech tabled recently by eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda. The programme has resulted in negotiations with the Department of Public Works and Transnet to attend to seven of their buildings. This has yielded positive results as three of the buildings are in the process of being transferred to new owners for repurposing and/or redevelopment. Transnet has demolished one of their problem buildings in the Mahatma Gandhi precinct. A cautionary message was relayed to property owners who continue to ignore Municipal building by- laws that the City will not
MLUNGISI DLAMINI ETHEKWINI Municipality’s Engineering Unit scooped three awards at the prestigious Fulton Awards at a gala function in Johannesburg on 10 June. The Fulton Awards, held every two years, recognise and honour “excellence in the design, use and innovation in concrete”. Originally scheduled for last year, the awards were postponed to 2022 because of lockdowns and economic pressures. The winners were announced at the gala function and the event was for the first time streamed live to satellite functions in Durban and Cape Town. The modification of the Umhlatuzana River Bridge in Durban won the ‘Infrastructure of under R100m’ category. Entered by the eThekwini Municipality Roads Provision Department’s Structures Branch which undertook the project for the Municipality’s Engineering Unit, the bridge won the judges’ praises for “the unique solution that overcame extensive challenges”. The bridge links Seaward Road in Clairwood
with Sarnia in Pinetown. The Durban Essex Terrace/ M13 Bridge widening, also done by the eThekwini Municipality’s Engineering Unit, received praise in this category for the bridge modification. The Ashton Arch bridge in Ashton, winner of the Fulton Award in the Infrastructure of over R100m category, also received a Fulton Commendation in this special category, and Durban’s Essex Terrace/M13 Bridge, already commended in the infrastructure of under R100m category, received another judges’ commendation in this category. The winners in the five categories have been entered into the American Concrete Institute’s Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards. The winners will be announced on 24 October 2022.
Significant progress has been made to transform the inner city to a vibrant hub that attracts investment. Picture: ARTIST IMPRESSION
hesitate to institute legal proceedings against them. Speaking on the regeneration programme, Mayor Kaunda said the City has concluded the process of recruiting 300 street ambassadors under the Public Employment Programme. They will support the inner-city regeneration teams to enforce trading by-laws, ensure public safety, identify bad buildings, and enforce waste management
placed in secondary CBDs. Isiphingo will have 71 street ambassadors, the inner city 129, and Pinetown 100. Much progress has also been seen with the Rivertown Public Realm Project and the repurposing of the area between the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and the beachfront to establish restaurants, pubs, and art galleries. This includes the paving of walkways in this R40 million development precinct. priah.dass@durban.gov.za
by-laws. These street ambassadors will be
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