Set to ease the red tape of doing business while also stabilising the electricity network, KwaDukuza municipality’s (KDM) Senzalula Programme could have widespread positive implications for municipal performance.
Launched last week, Senzalula – which means ‘We make it easier’ – is a two-part KDM programme which received funding from the European Union (EU) by way of South Africa’s national treasury.
The main focuses are to automate a number of processes to mitigate red tape while increasing accessibility, and implementing a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (Scada) control room to help monitor electrical infrastructure.
It is hoped this will promote business and investment within the municipality.
Senzalula will target widespread changes in processes, from automating billing to translating by-laws into Zulu – made possible by a R22-million grant from the EU.
“Ease of doing business entails the migration of all applications for building plans, town planning, occupation certificates, outdoor advertising, rates clearances, electricity connection, business licenses and informal trading permits to online platforms.
“These systems will permit applicants to track applications online and allow users and municipal officials to monitor progress towards approvals,” said KDM mayor, Lindile Nhaca.
This includes oversight procedures to prevent abuse of medical leave and overtime going forward.
KDM has been heavily hit by energy losses over the past few years, reaching R237-million in the previous financial year alone.
To combat this, the Scada control room will bring the latest in monitoring technology for electrical infrastructure and forms the second part of the grant.
“Scada’s main purpose is to improve functional service delivery. It will help with remote monitoring and the speed at which we can respond. We will no longer be reliant on community reports.
It will also contribute to grid safety, outage prevention and energy flow management, which will be significant improvements,” said electrical engineering executive director, Sibusiso Jali.
The timeline for its installation in the Lavoipierre Building has not been confirmed.
“Many municipalities across South Africa applied for the funding, with KwaDukuza the only municipality to be awarded more than one grant,” said economic development and planning executive director, Sikhumbuzo Hlongwane.
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