(Draft Budget/IDP 2020.2021) Citys’s R52.3BN Budget geared to ensure continued service delivery

Mayor’s Message

Dear Residents of Ethekwini,

The tabling of this draft budget takes place at a time when our country is facing tough economic times compounded by the unprecedented pandemic of the Coronavirus (COVID 19).

The City’s consolidated R52.3 billion draft budget for the 2020/2021 financial year consists the capital budget of approximately R6.9 billion and an operating budget of R45.4 billion in 2020/2021.

In compiling the draft budget, the City had to adopt several interventions to cushion the most vulnerable citizens whilst still trying to balance fiscal discipline.

We wish to assure residents that despite the current crisis uninterrupted service delivery remains our top priority as we strive to build a city that belongs to all who live in it.

Working together, we must move with speed to address the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality compounded by the global pandemic. No one can deny the fact that since 1995, the lives of the people of eThekwini have changed for the better.

Millions of people have access to clean water, electricity and houses.

We have indeed restored the dignity of our people. While great progress has been made in improving the living conditions of our people, we must admit that much more still needs to be done to build a city where there is a better life for all.

In compiling this budget, we managed to strike a balance between fiscal discipline and catering for the needs of the poor. In this regard, we have adopted several interventions to cushion our most vulnerable citizens during current Medium-Term Revenue & Expenditure Framework (MTREF)

Call for comments

The City’s public participation process for the Draft Budget 2020/2021 has started with information cascaded through all community and commercial radio stations and newspapers.

All the official online municipal platforms have also been used to disseminate information.

Both the draft budget and IDP are available on the Municipal website and are open for comment until 8 May 2020. It can be found on www.durban.gov.za

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).