ETHEKWINI will put service delivery first in 2016. So said chairperson of the Emergency Services Committee, Cllr Zandile Gumede, at the first meeting of the committee held recently.
Among the issues raised and deliberated was the projected over-expenditure of the overtime budget. Gumede pointed out that the Parks, Leisure and Cemeteries Department declared a projected overtime expenditure of R19 543 592 above the budgeted amount, based on calculations of overtime expenditure within the first three months of the 2015/16 financial year. The nature of the services provided by this department dictates that for service delivery not to be interrupted, overtime expenditure is inevitable.
On the issue of grass cutting and bush clearing of unmaintained verges, the committee noted that the Parks, Leisure and Cemeteries Department had experienced delays in appointing service providers to undertake the necessary work. This is as a result of the stringent supply chain management procedures that have to be followed to ensure that public funds are used effectively and are accounted for.
In this regard it was recommended that co-operatives be appointed for a period of six months to undertake this task to ensure that service delivery continues without any further delays.
The committee also approved funding for Moses Mabhida Stadium to host a number of events in the current financial year.
“Hosting these events, which will include soccer matches and concerts, will have a number of positive spin-offs for the city and residents. This is also in keeping with the city’s vision of becoming Africa’s sports and events capital,” said Gumede.
The city will also provide financial assistance to the value of R466 306.80 for the hosting of the third Amantshontsho kaMaskandi Awards, scheduled to take place at the ICC on Saturday, 20 February. The awards ceremony honours maskandi musicians who have excelled.
Another topic of discussion was the support of liberation heritage routes.
“The municipality supports the National Liberation Heritage Route, an initiative by the National Heritage Council, designed to develop and manage the legacy of the liberation struggle throughout the country. As part of this initiative, the GPS navigation devices and other modern-day technology will be used to identify, document and commemorate local sites and icons of the struggle for freedom and democracy in South Africa. Some of the sites identified as part of this initiative include KwaMuhle Museum, Cartwright flats, YMCA on Charlotte Maxeke Street, United Congregational Church of South Africa and Curries Fountain Stadium, among others,” said Gumede.
She said the KwaZulu-Natal Premier’s Office had requested assistance from eThekwini Municipality to identify strategic sites within the municipal area where struggle icon statues, tombstones, monuments, memorials and walls of remembrance will be erected. The struggle heroes to be honoured will include Dorothy Nyembe, Dr Monty Naicker, Victoria Mxenge, Dr Pixley ka Isaka Seme and Moses Mabhida.
“Suitable sites for the monuments have been identified and approved by the committee. In line with this project, the Provincial Department of Arts and Culture has also requested the municipality to identify a suitable location in Umlazi where plaques of the late stalwarts, Griffith and Victoria Mxenge, will be erected,” she said.
