“KEEPING YOU IN THE KNOW”

MAYOR UNPACKS CITY’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN

ETHEKWINIWEEKLY BULLETIN

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By 2030 eThekwini will be Africa’s most caring and liveable City 06 July 2020 [Issue 207]

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda unpacked the City’s R586 million Economic Recovery Plan during a webinar hosted on 3 July. The plan aims to alleviate the economic and social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the City.

ETHEKWINI Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda revealed the City’s R586 million

Economic Recovery Plan during a webinar hosted on CNBC Africa, a popular current affairs news channel on 3 July. The plan aims to alleviate the economic and social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.One of the major pillars that

will strengthen the City’s economy is the collaboration between business, social partners and government. Mayor Kaunda said while there is a sustainable plan, we must remain realistic. “We agree that the pace and

extent of economic recovery will depend on meaningful collaborations among all of

us. The existing eThekwini Economic Recovery Plan is as a result of these collaborations and our commitment to its implementation, a testament to the prestige in which we hold our people and City. We know economic recovery will not be an event, but a long and arduous process.”The plan prioritises

safeguarding jobs, supporting the township and informal economy, tourism and industrialisation programme and facilitating the City’s share of national government support. Councillor Kaunda listed

some of the interventions which include a R29 million revenue contribution including development application fee waivers, R3.6 million informal

traders’ support including a rental holiday, a R3 million re-categorisation of bed and breakfast establishments from commercial rates to residential rates and R26 million investment incentives including free filming permits.“A capital expenditure of R485 million aimed at

unlocking private sector developments of up to R10 billion also forms part of the plan,” added Mayor Kaunda. Radical economic

transformation is also an important component of the plan. Support will be given to co-operatives and small businesses to ensure that they benefit and are not further affected. “The City will accelerate the payment to small

business within seven days,” he said. Support has also been provided to local manufacturers through targeted cluster and sector support initiatives. The City plans to shift

township businesses into the digital space both during and post Covid-19, in order to allow these businesses to transact and perform their operations online in a safe and secure environment. “Three townships have been identified to pilot this initiative namely uMlazi, Cato Manor and KwaMashu,” said Mayor Kaunda.A socio-economic relief fund

has been established with a R40 million contribution by the City and an admirable R350 000 from the business

sector.

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2 ETHEKWINI WEEKLY BULLETIN ISSUE 207

The City has extended the duration of the Covid-19 debt relief programme to 31 December 2020. EThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda signed off on this extension on 30 June which means that customers have until the end of the year to settle any outstanding Municipal debt. Peet du Plessis, Head of

Revenue Management said the relief scheme was meant to conclude at the end of June, but the City recognises the plight of its residents. “Residential customers

may enter into a payment plan agreement with the Municipality and pay between 10 percent to 25 percent of the capital debt, as a down payment. They can then pay off the rest through an instalment that is affordable to them.” Business customers will

CUSTOMERS IN DEBT CAN APPLY FOR COVID-19 RELIEF PROGRAMME

DURBAN FILMMART ESTABLISHES ONLINE CONTENT SHOP

The Covid-19 debt relief programme has been extended by a further six months, until December 2020 to allow customers additional time to settle outstanding Municipal debt.

Filmmakers grabbed the opportunity to pitch their projects to film professionals during the 2019 Durban FilmMart. This year however, the programme has introduced an online content shop.

also benefit. They are legible to enter into a payment plan agreement with the Municipality and pay between 25 percent and 50 percent of the capital debt, as a down payment.The debt must be 90 days

or older and the Municipality

will write off any interest accumulated. Additionally, no interest will be added during the period of the payment agreement. However, Du Plessis said: “We will re-instate the interest if the customer defaults on their payment.” Customers who are already on

a separate payment plan may cancel the existing agreement if they wish to enter the relief plan. Those who intend to benefit

from this programme can visit their nearest Sizakala Centre or visit http://correspondence.durban.gov.za:200/

AS PART of this year’s virtual edition of the Durban FilmMart (DFM), set to take place from 4 to 13 September, a new platform, namely the DFM Content Shop, will be launched for content sales, distribution and festival strategy.The DFM, which opened for

submissions on 1 July, will be hosted virtually because of the global Covid-19 pandemic. The DFM Content Shop is a

curated digital catalogue film project that aims to create opportunities and engender inclusivity and champion access to markets for emerging talent as well as established professionals. It is a space for producers with content ready for the market, to connect with potential buyers. Toni Monty from the Durban

Film Office, which falls under the Municipality’s Economic Development Unit, has headed

up the DFM for the past 10 years. She said: “This is a particularly exciting addition to the DFM this year. Going online has opened some creative ideas to provide more business opportunities for filmmakers and to bring key members of the film value chain face to face with filmmakers. The content shop now provides a collective opportunity for

industry professionals to see and engage with an impressive body of African content.”The DFM will select African

and African co-production projects that are completed (ready to be presented) or in post-production from 2018 to 2020 in the following categories; fiction feature films (of the minimum runtime of 55 minutes) ready to screen

or in advanced post-production stages and fiction short films (up to 55 minutes) ready to screen or in advanced post-production stages. In addition, documentary films

(both feature and short length) ready to screen or in advanced post-production stages and serials (web and television) ready to screen or in advanced post-production stages will also be selected.Projects will be presented

exclusively to a selected group of international programmers, sales companies, broadcasters, distributors, exhibitors and talent agents. Submissions close on 15

July and can be done via https://filmfreeway.com/DurbanFilmMartZAFor more info visit

marketcatalogue@durbanfilmmart.com

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ISSUE 207 ETHEKWINI WEEKLY BULLETIN 3

SYSTEM improvements for development plan application processes within the City’s Development Planning, Environment and Management Unit have more than halved the turnaround times for applications.This was revealed during an

Edge Construction Webinar held between construction industry stakeholders and the City on 30 June. Head of the Development

Planning, Environment and Management Unit Lihle Phewa said the pilot phase of these improvements reduced turnaround times by 23 days for applications above 500m2 and by 16 days for applications below 500m2.He said work process reviews,

system automation and being customer-focused are some of the key interventions that have improved their systems.Previously, development plan

applications of more than 500m2 would take up to 60 days to reach a decision and

TURNAROUND TIMES FOR CONSTRUCTION APPLICATIONS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED

Head of the Development Planning, Environment and Management Unit Lihle Phewa shared information with construction industry stakeholders on measures taken by the unit to ensure mutual growth for the City and business sector during an Edge Construction Webinar.

Executive Director for the Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies, Professor Justin Barnes was part of a panel which tackled automotive industry matters during a Durban Automotive Cluster virtual annual general meeting.

CREATING value for societies in addition to being profit-focused was asserted as one of the steps towards recovery of the automotive sector during a discussion among economists as part of the Durban Automotive Cluster (DAC) virtual annual general meeting held on 26 June.The meeting brought

together over 200 industry stakeholders to discuss critical issues presently affecting the automotive industry and to map the way forward.Executive Director for the

Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies,

Professor Justin Barnes emphasised the urgency needed in taking measures to keep the industry growing and stays afloat.Development economics

expert from the University of Witwatersrand, Professor Vishnu Padayachee said as a developing state, it will be imperative for the government and private sector to work together for the recovery of the industry. The DAC was established in

2002 and has grown, with the support of eThekwini Municipality, into a mature, established partnership between the City and local

Durban Automotive Cluster maps way forward amid Covid-19

those below 500m2 would take up to 30 days as per provisions of the national building regulations.Further improvements

include the enhancement of institutional capacity, review of the Planning and Land Use Management Bylaw and influencing appropriate legislative changes, Phewa said.

Speaking on the Economic Development Incentives Policy, Programme Manager for the Business Environment Enhancement Programme Dr Nuthan Maharaj noted the success of its implementation from 2016 to date.Over the past five years,

successful applicants have received over R30 billion rebates per annum and over

R10 billion investment has been attracted, she said.Chief Executive Officer for

Rokwil Civils and Chairperson of the South African Property Owners Association KwaZulu-Natal Bernadette Khumalo, representing the private sector, emphasised the need for speed of doing business in order to enhance job creation and sustainability in the industry.

automotive manufacturers. The DAC represents 90 percent of automotive manufacturing locally.Head of the Economic

Development and Investment Promotion Unit, Shunnon Tulsiram commended the

role being played by the DAC especially during these unprecedented times. “EThekwini Municipality

values the partnership that we have with the automotive sector through the DAC," he said.

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MEN MARCH TO DENOUNCE GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

KWAZULU-NATAL Premier Sihle Zikalala led a men’s-only march to officially mark the beginning of Men’s Month while also strengthening the ongoing fight against gender-based violence on 1 July.Premier Zikalala was joined by

MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Bheki Ntuli, eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda, leaders from religious organisations, government officials and community members. The march began at

Mtshebheni taxi rank and ended at the Kwangoqokazi Community Hall in Inanda, where plans to commemorate Men’s Month were outlined.Premier Zikalala said it would

take men, as the perpetrators of gender-based violence, to grab the bull by the horns and

GRATITUDE and excitement were evident on the faces of 55 homeless people who graduated after learning basic computer skills during the national lockdown.The graduation ceremony

was held at the homeless accommodation site next to People’s Park on 1 July.The initiative forms part

of a skills development programme by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development (KZNDSD), eThekwini Municipality and Sakhisizwe Community Project.The project aimed to provide

homeless people with important technical skills that will assist them to find employment.The development training

included modules such as

The province began the commemoration of Men’s Month with a men’s only march to denounce the scourge of gender-based violence. Leading the march was KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala, MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Bheki Ntuli and eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda on 1 July.

The City has trained 55 homeless people with much-needed computer skills to improve their chances of gaining employment.

say 'no more' to this inhumane behavior. He encouraged men to be protectors of their families and not abusers. “Today we want to send

a clear message to all law enforcers to double their efforts when investigating gender-based violence. Each police station in the province now

Homeless people equipped with computer skills

has a victim room which is designated to assist victims of violence with dignity and to ensure that they are provided with the necessary support,” he said.Mayor Kaunda commended

provincial government for launching the campaign in the City, adding that Inanda, where the march ended, has the most reported cases of violence perpetrated against women and children. “This is a societal matter that

needs both government and community members to join forces to fight this plague. Fathers must be role models to young boys in the community. They must always be there for their children, give them love and ensure that they are well taken care of,” he said.

Email: charmel.payet@durban.gov.za

If you would like to submit feedback or contribute to eThekwini Weekly Bulletin

EDITORIAL TEAMACTING EDITOR: Mandla Nsele, Acting Head of Communications ACTING CONTENT EDITOR: Mthunzi Gumede • SUB EDITOR: Charmel Payet WRITERS: Nonduduzo Ngcongo, Romita Hanuman-Pillay, Siphesihle Soni, Nonhlanhla Mkhabela

and Carly Van der Westhuizen • PHOTOGRAPHER: Pumla Khwela, Mpumelelo Makhaye and Busiswa Chiliza. • DESIGN & LAYOUT: Mandisa Mngadi

introduction to the computer, hardware and software, basic mouse drills, Microsoft Word typing skills, page layout, bullets and numbering and table construction (columns and rows).Nombulelo Gebashe

from KZNDSD said: “This

programme has shown me that there are many other initiatives that we can do for the homeless. The participants outdid themselves and I strongly believe that this certificate will open doors for them that were once closed.”Senior Manager from the

City’s Safer Cities Unit, Nomusa Shembe said: “What I witnessed today pleases me. I am thankful for the participants dedicated spirit. I encourage them not to allow their current situation to dictate their future.”One of the graduates,

Nkanyiso Mkhize could not contain his excitement. He explained that this was his

first time graduating and said that his parents would be very proud of him. “Words cannot describe my

joy. I am grateful for everyone that was involved in this programme. Not only have I received this skill, but I have also proven to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to,” said Mkhize.