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NEWS Page 2 28 November 2008 ABOUT US STAFF CONTACTS The eZasegagasini Metro is the official eThekwini Municipality publication through which ratepayers and residents are informed of news, entertainment and perspectives in greater Durban. It is also a forum for readers’ views. It hits the streets fortnightly on a Friday, with 400 000 copies distributed throughout the region. To contact us: eZasegagasini Metro, PO Box 5588, Durban, 4000 Newsroom: 031 311 2290/ 81/84 Fax: 031 306 4603 Reception: 031 311 2279 [email protected] eThekwini Info Centre 0800 331 011 (toll-free) [email protected] Municipal queries: 0800 331 011 Electricity faults: 080 131 3111 Electricity Tampering 080 131 3111 Street Light Faults: 080 131 3111 Robot Faults: 0800 333 467 Emergencies: 031 361 0000 Ambulance: 101 77 Revenue Billing: 031 328 1200 Metro Police Inner West: 031 311 6752 South: 031 402 0689 North: 032 533 1027 Isipingo: 031 910 7300 Central: 031 311 4698 Communications and PR: 031 311 2809 Regional offices Central: 031 311 5730 North: 031 561 1101 South: 031 311 5844 Umkomaas: 031 311 5407 Outer West: 031 311 2717 Inner West: 031 311 6286 Overgrown verges, trees: Central: 031 205 1418 Inner West: 031 311 6916 North: 031 566 3712 Outer West: 031 767 3908 South: 031 311 5573 Stormwater; burst mains; sewer faults; traffic signals: 080 131 3013 Disaster Management: 031 306 4074 Animal Nuisance and Abandoned Vehicles: 031 311 2814 Durban Solid Waste (DSW): 031 311 8804 Editor: Ntsiki Magwaza News Editors: Thrusha Naidoo, Mandla Nsele Sub-editor: Matthew Hattingh Writers: Siyabonga Maphumulo, Ken Mchunu, Sohana Singh, Alan Cooper, Derrick Dlamini, Samantha Moodley, Mack Makhathini, Sane Shandu, Themba Nyathikazi, Themba Khumalo, Emmanuel Kleinbooi, Khaya Sengani, Romita Hanuman Photographer: Jessie Singh Translations: Siyabonga Maphumulo, Themba Nyathikazi, Ken Mchunu, Derrick Dlamini, Mack Makhathini SAMANTHA MOODLEY THE burning of waste is damaging the environment in eThekwini, but the City Health Department is hoping its campaign, which includes workshops, education drives and incentive schemes, will bring about change. Siva Chetty, the depart- ment’s Deputy Head for Poll- ution Control, said the cam- paign aimed to make people aware of the emissions caused by burning waste, and the damage this does. “We want to educate people to change their behaviour and practices. If we change behaviour we can have a better environment,” he said. Chetty said burning waste releases toxic, cancer-causing dioxins. He said up to 60% of dioxins in the environment come from burning waste. He said a lesson could be learned from tropical rain forests. These grow in poor, fragile soil but flourish because it recycles its waste. We should “incorporate this forest thinking into our society,” Chetty said. Muna Lakhani, National Coordinator for the Institute for Zero Waste in Africa, advo- cates converting waste into resources and is against inci- neration and using land fills to get rid of waste. “Think about what will happen to the next seven generations before you make a decision. People and plan- etary health is on the decline. Burning waste is bad because it destroys resources. It’s a health hazard, it causes a loss of energy and contributes to climate change. What can’t be recycled and compacted should no longer be made,” he said. The department is working on two projects aimed at reducing pollution and pro- moting better health: Recyc- ling polyethylene terephtha- late (PET ) bottles and a safer drums initiative. Drums, used by industry to store chemicals, are often washed out and resold to the public, who use the drums to store water, traditional beer, and other foodstuffs. Safe The project aims to remove contaminated drums from the market, and introduce a new brand of drums, which are safe and economically sustainable. PET bottles, which usually contain cool drinks or water, have caused a number of pollution problems including blocking storm-water drains. They also release dioxins when burned. The PET project, which will be piloted at fast food outlets, hotels, schools and in the Warwick Junction, will collect, clean and recycle PET bottles. For more information call 031 311 3722, or to lodge a complaint about air pollu- tion, call 031 311 3555. [email protected] War on burning of waste KHANYISILE Khumalo, of the eThekwini’s Sports and Recreation Development Department, wrestles with Ugu District Municipality Youth Development Programmes Manager, Sipho Khuzwayo, for the Kwanaloga Games trophy. They were at the launch of the games, which will be contested by teams from 11 KwaZulu-Natal municipalities, in Newcastle from 6 December to 8 December. Last year eThekwini was the overall winner, with Ugu finishing second Picture: THEMBA KHUMALO Help with maths, science EMMANUEL KLEINBOOI THE 60th anniversary of the the United Nations’ adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be celebrated on 10 December. The document affirms the rights of people everywhere and enshrines basic free- doms of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and belief. These rights are acknow- ledged as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. In South Africa, these rights are enshrined in the Bill of Rights. It enshrines the rights of all people in the country and affirms the values of human dignity, equality and freedom. The eThekwini Munici- pality has shown its commit- ment to fostering a human rights culture. This is demonstrated by the work of the City’s Masakhane, Grants-in-Aid, Non-Racism, Non-Sexism and Non-Dis- crimination Committee, which is dedicated to easing poverty, fostering equality and eliminating discrimi- nation. City units, such as Com- munity Participation and Action Support, help com- munities to participate in efforts to achieve a better life. The Office of the Ombuds- person has been established to promote human rights and to investigate transgressions and see that matters are put right. This Ombud helps educate the public on issues con- cerning just administrative action, access to information, equality and anti-corruption measures. This is done to ensure citi- zens are properly informed and empowered to partici- pate in the affairs of the Municipality. [email protected] ROMITA HANUMAN AN AWARDS day for a City- backed programme to sup- port teachers and pupils studying maths, science and technology was held at the KwaMashu Teachers’ Centre recently. The programme is support- ed by the City’s Skills Dev- elopment Unit, the Inanda, Ntuzuma KwaMashu (Ink) Area Based Management initiative, and the Education Department. The department selected 10 schools to take part in the Programme for Technological Careers (Protech), which runs from 2007 to 2009. Certificates were awarded to achievers in a number of categories, and Sindiswa Mzobe, of Phembisizwe High, was named the Top Overall Student, while Brian Mthe- mbu, of Mzuvele High, was named the Protech Student of the Year. The City provided scientific calculators to each pupil. Puleng Monatisa, Project Manager: Outreach, at SDU, said: “All went well and the students enjoyed themselves. But we need more commit- ment from parents.” Protech Manager Marion Takis said: “We have been blessed with a dedicated team. Thank you students for your commitment.” Takis encouraged parents to get involved in their children’s education. “Parent meetings have been poorly attended this year, and we hope next year parents will be more involved,” Takis said. [email protected] City exceeds targets SAMANTHA MOODLEY IN THE past year the City has exceeded many of its targets, including building 18 149 houses, naming 92% of previously unnamed roads and making 12 547 new sanitation connections. These were some highlights of a presentation by Deputy City Manager Sipho Cele at a recent Integrated Develop- ment Plan (IDP) workshop for ward committees from zones 1 to 4. The workshop was part of the yearly review process for the IDP, the City’s 5-year planning document that is used to guide development and service delivery. Every year the document is taken to the community, through councillors, NGOs, organised labour, civic asso- ciations, community forums, businesses and religious bodies to provide their input. “The aim of these sessions is to solicit views from you, who are community represen- tatives and champions of development,” Cele said. The review process draws to a close this weekend with the final workshops for the North and North Central wards. The IDP is available at libraries – suggestions can be faxed to 031 311 3446. [email protected] Let the Games Begin Focus on human rights METRO REPORTER THE City’s investment promotion agency was named runner-up in the Africa Investor Awards. The Durban Investment Promotion Agency (Dipa) was the only South African contender and faced stiff competition from agencies representing whole countries in the Investment Promotion Agency of the year category. At the awards ceremony, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre recently, Dipa shared the first runner-up position with the Board of Investment Mauritius. The Malawi Investment Promotions Agency clinched the top spot. Dipa’s Russell Curtis said the awards were a double win for eThekwini. “It was pleasing for Durban to have all the delegates in our city, and for us to be placed as first runner-up in the Investment Promotion Category. “The event and awards were a success for all of us Africans, and a lesson that we can all do more if we improve the partnerships between government and business,” Curtis said. Dipa was headline sponsor of the awards. Kudos for Dipa

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Page 1: Page 2 NEWS 28 November 2008 ABOUT US War on burning of … · 2011-02-07 · Page 2 NEWS 28 November 2008 ABOUT US STAFF CONTACTS The eZasegagasini Metrois the official eThekwini

NEWSPage 2 28 November 2008

ABOUT US

STAFF

CONTACTS

The eZasegagasini Metro isthe official eThekwiniMunicipality publicationthrough which ratepayersand residents are informedof news, entertainment andperspectives in greaterDurban. It is also a forumfor readers’ views. It hits the streets fortnightlyon a Friday, with 400 000copies distributedthroughout the region.To contact us:eZasegagasini Metro, POBox 5588, Durban, 4000 Newsroom: 031 311 2290/81/84 Fax: 031 306 4603Reception: 031 311 [email protected] Info Centre0800 331 011 (toll-free)[email protected]

Municipal queries:0800 331 011Electricity faults:080 131 3111Electricity Tampering080 131 3111Street Light Faults:080 131 3111Robot Faults:0800 333 467Emergencies:031 361 0000Ambulance: 101 77Revenue Billing:031 328 1200Metro PoliceInner West: 031 311 6752 South: 031 402 0689 North: 032 533 1027 Isipingo: 031 910 7300 Central: 031 311 4698 Communications and PR:031 311 2809Regional officesCentral: 031 311 5730North: 031 561 1101South: 031 311 5844Umkomaas: 031 311 5407Outer West: 031 311 2717Inner West: 031 311 6286Overgrown verges, trees:Central: 031 205 1418Inner West: 031 311 6916North: 031 566 3712Outer West: 031 767 3908South: 031 311 5573Stormwater; burst mains; sewer faults; traffic signals:080 131 3013Disaster Management:031 306 4074Animal Nuisance andAbandoned Vehicles:031 311 2814Durban Solid Waste (DSW): 031 311 8804

Editor: Ntsiki MagwazaNews Editors:Thrusha Naidoo, MandlaNseleSub-editor: Matthew HattinghWriters: SiyabongaMaphumulo, Ken Mchunu,Sohana Singh, Alan Cooper,Derrick Dlamini, SamanthaMoodley, Mack Makhathini,Sane Shandu, ThembaNyathikazi, ThembaKhumalo, EmmanuelKleinbooi, Khaya Sengani,Romita Hanuman Photographer: Jessie SinghTranslations: Siyabonga Maphumulo,Themba Nyathikazi, KenMchunu, Derrick Dlamini,Mack Makhathini

SAMANTHA MOODLEY

THE burning of waste isdamaging the environmentin eThekwini, but the CityHealth Department is hopingits campaign, which includesworkshops, education drivesand incentive schemes, willbring about change.

Siva Chetty, the depart-ment’s Deputy Head for Poll-ution Control, said the cam-paign aimed to make peopleaware of the emissionscaused by burning waste, andthe damage this does.

“We want to educate peopleto change their behaviourand practices. If we changebehaviour we can have abetter environment,” he said.

Chetty said burning wastereleases toxic, cancer-causingdioxins. He said up to 60% ofdioxins in the environmentcome from burning waste.

He said a lesson could belearned from tropical rainforests. These grow in poor,fragile soil but flourishbecause it recycles its waste.We should “incorporate thisforest thinking into oursociety,” Chetty said.

Muna Lakhani, NationalCoordinator for the Institutefor Zero Waste in Africa, advo-cates converting waste intoresources and is against inci-neration and using land fillsto get rid of waste.

“Think about what willhappen to the next sevengenerations before you makea decision. People and plan-etary health is on the decline.

Burning waste is bad becauseit destroys resources. It’s ahealth hazard, it causes a lossof energy and contributes toclimate change. What can’t berecycled and compactedshould no longer be made,”he said.

The department is workingon two projects aimed atreducing pollution and pro-moting better health: Recyc-ling polyethylene terephtha-late (PET ) bottles and a saferdrums initiative.

Drums, used by industry tostore chemicals, are oftenwashed out and resold to thepublic, who use the drums tostore water, traditional beer,and other foodstuffs.

SafeThe project aims to remove

contaminated drums fromthe market, and introduce anew brand of drums, whichare safe and economicallysustainable.

PET bottles, which usuallycontain cool drinks or water,have caused a number ofpollution problems includingblocking storm-water drains.

They also release dioxinswhen burned. The PETproject, which will be pilotedat fast food outlets, hotels,schools and in the WarwickJunction, will collect, cleanand recycle PET bottles.

For more information call031 311 3722, or to lodge acomplaint about air pollu-tion, call 031 311 3555.

[email protected]

War onburning of waste

KHANYISILE Khumalo, of the eThekwini’s Sports and Recreation DevelopmentDepartment, wrestles with Ugu District Municipality Youth DevelopmentProgrammes Manager, Sipho Khuzwayo, for the Kwanaloga Games trophy. Theywere at the launch of the games, which will be contested by teams from 11KwaZulu-Natal municipalities, in Newcastle from 6 December to 8 December. Lastyear eThekwini was the overall winner, with Ugu finishing second

Picture: THEMBA KHUMALO

Help with maths, science

EMMANUEL KLEINBOOI

THE 60th anniversary of thethe United Nations’ adoptionof the Universal Declarationof Human Rights will becelebrated on 10 December.

The document affirms therights of people everywhereand enshrines basic free-doms of expression, peacefulassembly, association, andbelief.

These rights are acknow-ledged as the foundation of

freedom, justice and peace inthe world.

In South Africa, these rightsare enshrined in the Bill ofRights. It enshrines the rightsof all people in the countryand affirms the values ofhuman dignity, equality andfreedom.

The eThekwini Munici-

pality has shown its commit-ment to fostering a humanrights culture.

This is demonstrated by thework of the City’s Masakhane,Grants-in-Aid, Non-Racism,Non-Sexism and Non-Dis-crimination Committee,which is dedicated to easingpoverty, fostering equality

and eliminating discrimi-nation.

City units, such as Com-munity Participation andAction Support, help com-munities to participate inefforts to achieve a better life.

The Office of the Ombuds-person has been establishedto promote human rights and

to investigate transgressionsand see that matters are putright.

This Ombud helps educatethe public on issues con-cerning just administrativeaction, access to information,equality and anti-corruptionmeasures.

This is done to ensure citi-zens are properly informedand empowered to partici-pate in the affairs of theMunicipality.

[email protected]

ROMITA HANUMAN

AN AWARDS day for a City-backed programme to sup-port teachers and pupilsstudying maths, science andtechnology was held at theKwaMashu Teachers’ Centrerecently.

The programme is support-ed by the City’s Skills Dev-elopment Unit, the Inanda,Ntuzuma KwaMashu (Ink)Area Based Managementinitiative, and the EducationDepartment.

The department selected 10

schools to take part in theProgramme for TechnologicalCareers (Protech), which runsfrom 2007 to 2009.

Certificates were awarded toachievers in a number ofcategories, and SindiswaMzobe, of Phembisizwe High,was named the Top OverallStudent, while Brian Mthe-mbu, of Mzuvele High, wasnamed the Protech Student ofthe Year.

The City provided scientificcalculators to each pupil.

Puleng Monatisa, ProjectManager: Outreach, at SDU,

said: “All went well and thestudents enjoyed themselves.But we need more commit-ment from parents.”

Protech Manager MarionTakis said: “We have beenblessed with a dedicatedteam. Thank you students foryour commitment.”

Takis encouraged parents toget involved in their children’seducation. “Parent meetingshave been poorly attendedthis year, and we hope nextyear parents will be moreinvolved,” Takis said.

[email protected]

City exceeds targetsSAMANTHA MOODLEY

IN THE past year the City hasexceeded many of its targets,including building 18 149houses, naming 92% ofpreviously unnamed roadsand making 12 547 newsanitation connections.

These were some highlightsof a presentation by DeputyCity Manager Sipho Cele at arecent Integrated Develop-ment Plan (IDP) workshop forward committees from zones1 to 4.

The workshop was part ofthe yearly review process forthe IDP, the City’s 5-yearplanning document that isused to guide development

and service delivery.Every year the document is

taken to the community,through councillors, NGOs,organised labour, civic asso-ciations, community forums,businesses and religiousbodies to provide their input.

“The aim of these sessions isto solicit views from you, whoare community represen-tatives and champions ofdevelopment,” Cele said.

The review process draws toa close this weekend with thefinal workshops for the Northand North Central wards.

The IDP is available atlibraries – suggestions can befaxed to 031 311 3446.

[email protected]

Let the Games Begin

Focus on human rights

METRO REPORTER

THE City’s investmentpromotion agency wasnamed runner-up in theAfrica Investor Awards.

The Durban InvestmentPromotion Agency (Dipa)was the only South Africancontender and faced stiffcompetition from agenciesrepresenting whole countriesin the Investment PromotionAgency of the year category.

At the awards ceremony, atthe Inkosi Albert Luthuli

International ConventionCentre recently, Dipa sharedthe first runner-up positionwith the Board of InvestmentMauritius. The MalawiInvestment PromotionsAgency clinched the top spot.

Dipa’s Russell Curtis saidthe awards were a double

win for eThekwini. “It waspleasing for Durban to haveall the delegates in our city,and for us to be placed asfirst runner-up in theInvestment PromotionCategory.

“The event and awardswere a success for all of usAfricans, and a lesson thatwe can all do more if weimprove the partnershipsbetween government andbusiness,” Curtis said.

Dipa was headline sponsorof the awards.

Kudosfor Dipa