Weekly Bulletin Issue 194
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ETHEKWINI www.durban.gov.za WEEKLY BULLETIN By 2030 eThekwini will be Africa’s most caring and liveable City 2 December 2019 [Issue 194] CITY PARTNERS WITH BRAND SA AND BUSINESS THEKWINI Municipality has forged a number of strategic partnerships in Eorder to grow the local economy and attract investment to the City. The City is set to establish a long-term partnership with Brand South Africa (SA) in order to further advance its vision of being a premium investment and tourism destination. The partnership was supported by the Economic Development and Planning Committee on 28 November. Committee members described the move as strategic for investment promotion as Brand SA is a highly ranked organisation globally, resourceful and has a wide range of expertise and experience. EThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda launched the City Means Business Forum on 27 November. He Brand SA supports several is flanked from left by Deputy City Manager for Economic Development and Planning Phillip Sithole, Chief initiatives aimed at creating a Executive Officer of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Palesa Phili, City Manager Sipho positive image of the country Nzuza and Gladwin Malishe Deputy Chairperson of the DCCI. and its cities. It builds relationships, showcases the table that are discouraging law enforcement. the forefront of issues being country’s innovation, highlights much-needed investment.” Another contributing factor to addressed. Mayor Kaunda its investment potential and The focus of the inaugural this deterioration is the steady invited business to work with engages with citizens on engagement was on the Inner- decline in property rates, the the City and the Chamber to significant topics. City Regeneration Programme, relocation of businesses and turn around the economic This comes as the City recently in particular focusing on the middle-income residents. potential of the inner-city. launched a business initiative Point precinct. The inner city In responding to this challenge, Speaking on the partnership which will provide a safe includes secondary central the Municipality developed with Brand SA, Deputy environment to share robust business districts such as an inner-city regeneration City Manager for Economic and innovative ideas. Pinetown, Amanzimtoti plan which places a strong Development and Planning The City, in partnership and Verulam which are key emphasis on fundamental Phillip Sithole said the City is with the Durban Chamber economic assets as they are issues that includes cleaning mandated to promote economic of Commerce and Industry well located, offering unique and maintenance, focusing on development, job creation, launched the City Means opportunities, connectivity and removal of litter and cleaning and economic transformation Business Forum at the Greyville access to community services. of storm water systems, fixing within the region. “Therefore, Convention Centre on 27 Mayor Kaunda said the City streetlighs, closed-circuit this partnership will seek November. is unable to derive maximum television cameras and ablution to facilitate sustainable Speaking at the launch, economic benefits from these facilities. investment in the City and eThekwini Mayor Councillor areas because they are in a Bad buildings, homelessness promote tourism to be a Mxolisi Kaunda said: “If we state of decline due to the and attracting mixed-income lucrative contributor to the local want to grow our City together, lack of cooperation among and mixed-use housing economy for the benefit of all,” we must be honest with each stakeholders and inadequate developments are also on he said. other and put all issues on the “KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW” www.durban.gov.za DURBAN WINS PRESTIGIOUS EMPOWERING PEOPLE SUSTAINABILITY WITH DISABILITIES AWARD ETHEKWINI Municipality THE City will soon be has scooped another launching the People with international award, this time Disabilities (PWDs) Business winning the National German Forum revealed eThekwini Sustainability Award in the Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Municipal Partnerships North- Kaunda during a business South category. breakfast seminar for PWDs The City was awarded this held at the Durban Exhibition honour alongside its sister Centre on 28 November. city Bremen at a celebrity He said the seminar aimed to studded event in Dusseldorf ensure that the City builds an recently. The award represents inclusive society where every the culmination of a 10 year resident has equal rights and fruitful and dynamic climate access to opportunities. partnership between these two “We need to treat people with cities. The awards themselves disabilities with respect and have a proud history, having they must at all times feel part been first held in 2008 with EThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda flanked by the Chairperson of society. On 3 December we of the Community Services Committee Councillor Ntokozo Sibiya, the purpose of encouraging will be commemorating the Simon Zwane and Speaker of eThekwini Municipality Weziwe Thusi and promoting the ideals of a International Day of People at a business breakfast for people with disabilities held at the Durban sustainable society. The award with Disabilities. This seminar Exhibition Centre. is given to cities, companies aimed to create awareness and and individuals who espouse promote the rights of people all people are empowered. age.” these ideals of sustainability with disabilities,” he said. “The government does not He said a task team dealing and work tirelessly to achieve During the question and have policies that excludes with transportation issues for them. answer session at the people with disabilities from PWDs will be established. EThekwini Mayor Councillor business breakfast, PWDs accessing jobs and business “We will launch the PWDs Mxolisi Kaunda said: “This raised challenges they face opportunities. In fact, we have Business Forum which will accolade further alludes on a daily basis including passed legislations and policies ensure that this designated to our drive to ensure that transportation, employment, that support and empower this group is able to access eThekwini is a sustainable economical, social and general group. The Employment Equity employment and business City for residents to live, work discrimination. Act is clear that an employer opportunities. About five and play. This award will Mayor Kaunda said the cannot discriminate against, percent of employment motivate us to intensify our City remains committed through employment policies opportunities and tenders will programmes geared towards to building a non-racial, or practices on the grounds be ringfenced for people with climate change.” non-sexist, democratic and of disability, race, gender and disabilities,” said the Mayor. prosperous society where INVEST DURBAN SCOOPS INTERNATIONAL AWARD INVEST Durban and Dube Officials from of smartphones in the Dube TradePort Special Economic Invest Durban TradePort Special Economic Zone have been named among and Dube Zone. international investment TradePort This first smartphone promotion agencies and special Special manufacturing plant in South economic zone authorities Economic Zone Africa will produce phones who recently won awards for at the awards with functionalities that ceremony in their excellence in promoting enable e-learning, with fast Switzerland. sustainable investment in data communication and special economic zones. interpretation qualities and They received the awards Nation’s offices in Geneva, high-value-added and export- include applications that on 11 November during Switzerland. oriented technology production. provide better access to health the eleventh session of the Invest Durban and Dube The award particularly services. United Nations Conference TradePort Special Economic recognises the facilitation of The project has created on Trade and Development Zone won for their role in an investment of $100 million 200 permanent jobs and will (UNCTAD) Investment, setting up partnerships and by Mara Phones, which is part generate an additional 600 Enterprise and Development positioning the region as of the Mara Group based in jobs in its second phase. Commission held at the United an attractive destination for Dubai, for the manufacturing 2 ETHEKWINI WEEKLY BULLETIN ISSUE 194 www.durban.gov.za DISABILITY DIALOGUE HOSTED IN CITY “NOTHING about us, without department in prevention us” was the refrain from a of social ills and creating wide range of representatives awareness as well as care and from the disability sector support offered. who attended the Disability “It is important to talk to the Dialogue hosted at the Durban role of the disability sector in Exhibition Centre on 29 gender-based violence and November. The empowering femicide. As the disability session was hosted by sector it is important that you eThekwini Municipality in leave your mark on institutional partnership with the provincial structures at both a provincial Department of Transport and local level to be included and Community Safety. The in solutions pertaining to dialogue saw a wide range PWDs." of speakers as well as an MEC for Transport and Community Safety Bheki Ntuli interacted Mpume Shangase, from the interactive feedback session with representatives from the disability sector who participated in a City, said this engagement where people with disabilities Disability Dialogue hosted on 29 November in partnership with the follows a Disability Parliament (PWDs) raised issues affecting City. that was held in 2017. them. “This event was driven