Page 4 NEWS 13 October 2006 Edinburgh supports our schools GABI KHUMALO achievements, despite its lack A DELEGATION from Scot- of resources and decided to land, accompanied by Edin- visit the school where they burgh Mayor Lesley Hinds, saw unity among pupils and recently visited schools in teachers and a pleasant learn- eThekwini where they have ing atmosphere. established relationships. “This was despite the fact The first stop was at that 60% of school pupils Zwelibanzi High, in Umlazi. come from informal settle- Through Edinburgh’s assis- ment,” said Mthembu. tance, the school has a sports After the visit, one of the coach whose salary is paid by principals promised to come the Scottish. They also back and do something for sponsor food parcels for the school, that’s when the needy pupils and have now relationship began and some made a commitment to pay pupils and teachers were school fees and buy uniforms flown to schools in Edinburgh for about 200 pupils. to share resources and ideas. The relationship between The visit to Charles Mem- the schools started in 2003 orial Primary School, in when Zwelibanzi’s former Ntshongweni, also brought FRIEND INDEED: Edinburgh Mayor Lesley Hinds (centre) with Zwelibanzi High School pupils Ndumiso Luthuli (left) principal, Themba Mthembu, smiles when delegates an- and Thabo Mbeje. Hinds recently visited the school to see how it was coping and how the Scots could be of help was invited by the British nounced that the school’s Picture: BONGA MSIMANG Council of Head Teachers, sister school in Edinburgh, during the council’svisit to the James Gillepsie Primary, mation on the role eThekwini sing only on building new some of the people working is not a problem,” said Mlaba. country, to make a presen- would donate books to the and Edinburgh could play in schools, there was a need for there come from poor schools He stressed the importance tation about conditions at school’s library. the development of schools. rebuilding, recapacitating and are willing to plough of involving children in train- disadvantaged schools. Before the school visits, They also spoke about the and remodelling old schools. back. ing programmes and encour- The head teachers were Hinds met Mayor Obed need to involve big business. “The corporate sector had a “If you structure your aging them to get involved in impressed by Zwelibanzi’s Mlaba. They shared infor- Mlaba said instead of focus- huge budget for schools and projects properly, the money extra curricula activities. Diwali fest burns bright KEN MCHUNU grown from its humble beginnings in 1998, into a THE FNB Durban Diwali vibrant tapestry of del- festival, to be held at the ectable dishes, colourful Bay of Plenty this garments and a fusion of weekend, aims to gen- Eastern and South erate a whopping R2- African entertainment. million. Apart from the festival’s The festival is in its religious significance, it ninth year and has been also impacts consider- able to expand and ably on the economy and maintain its standards tourism. with the help of FNB. “Attracting more than Dineshren Naidoo of 200 000 people over its Vaisnavas International, two-day period, and with the festival organisers, AUSPICIOUS: Diwali celebrates the average expenditure of said the event was victory of good over evil, light over R10 a person, the festival designed to honour the darkness. The Sanskrit word has the potential to rich cultural heritage of generate a conservative the Hindu community in Deepavali means a row of lights R2-million,” said Naidoo. Durban – “the city that Picture: PETER BENDHEIM The festival begins with boasts the largest number a float procession and of Indian people outside features curry festivals, TALENTED: Some of the contestants of the 2006 International Tourism Pageant of India”. spreading love among all people’s markets and relax at the Tala Game Reserve ahead of the contest. It was won by India’s Priyanka He said: “The festival repre- nations and race groups in children’s activities. Jha (second from left). She is flanked by Miss Australia Natalie Gillits, Miss Aruba sents what we as a rainbow this country.” Naidoo urged Durbanites to nation strive for, which is He said the festival had support the event. Vaneessa Venghauf, and Miss Macedonia Suzana Al-Salkini Picture: SIYABONGA MAPHUMULO Tourism lovelies grace city Rats, roaches plague Durbs SIYABONGA MAPHUMULO the pageant, but none of them session, however, made things SHAMESHNI GOVENDER or no rodent proofing, wors- species have adapted to live made the top five. a good deal easier as some of ened the problem. among humans, using our INDIA’S Priyanka Jha was Miss Malawi, Swaziland and the finalists failed to give con- RATS, flies and cockroaches Sagren Moodley of the city’s waste as food and making our crowned Miss International South Africa were all elimi- vincing replies. are on the increase and the Vector Control unit, said: buildings their home. Tourism 2006, at a function in nated in the first round along Asked what she thought city’s cleaners cannot solve “There are rodent control pro- Rodents found in the city City Hall recently. with contestants from Aus- were her country’s main tour- this problem alone. grammes such as rodent pois- include Rattus norvegicus, a Thirteen hopefuls from tralia, Macedonia, Holland, ism attractions Miss Poland The municipality’s Health oning and the spraying of common brown rat. around the world competed China and Malta. muttered something inaud- Department is therefore urg- manholes and fibre optic Also prevalent is the Rattus for the crown. South Africa’s Kajal Maharaj ible about the mountains ing residents to avoid littering cables.” rattus, a black rat often The pageant was part of the did however manage to get a “being in the sea” and vice- and make use of refuse bins. He said residents found in ships. They month-long Celebrate eThek- consolation prize – she was versa. The department has blamed should be vigilant are known for wini events. crowned Miss Congeniality. Bulgarian contender Rum- littering, illegal dumping in and report illegal climbing up Rumiono Krostevea of The remaining five finalists iono Krostevea chose to tell open areas, and poor or non- dumping. roofs and pipes. Bulgaria was crowned first were from Poland, Italy, Bul- the judges about how much existent rodent control Rodents have Mus domes- princess and Italian Perla garia, France and India. she missed her family rather measures in privately-owned been able to ticus is a common Pendeza took the title of Faced with five unquest- than elaborating on what she buildings for the problem. exploit a variety of house mouse. second princess. ionably lovely finalists, the thought of South Africa as a Illegal street vending sites, habitats through- The Southern African Dev- judges, on the face of it, had a tourism destination. which are littered with accu- out the world COMMON: elopment Community coun- tough decision to make. “I think it’s nice but I miss mulated refuse, and informal since ancient Rattus tries were well represented in The question-and-answer my family,” she said. settlements, which have little times. Certain rodent norvegicus.