LOOKING AFTER “SOUTH AFRICA’S

PLAYGROUND”

eThekweni Municipality

Every country has its gem and eThekwini Durban is South Africa’s, a vibrant crossroads of culture, peoples and tourism all bubbling beneath a subtropical African sun. Thanks to the busy natural harbour, beautiful white sandy beaches and high reliable surf the city has attracted tourists and businesses alike, developing a fast-paced-fun-based culture that is discernible in both.

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eThekweni Municipality

One of two major ports in South Africa and starting life as a harbour the corporate bubble of the city has expanded from that point and developed around it, with many opportunities for businesses to become involved and so much of the city’s industry is focussed around manufacturing, logistics and freight. This is juxtaposed with a strong retail, hospitality and commercial sector to draw in the tourists and the fun loving citizens.

The people of EThekweni, (Zulu from itheku meaning ‘bay / lagoon’) Durban are easy to spot. Active and busy, always on the look-out for a new adventure, a new activity and more fun, Durbanites work hard and play hard and in response to this the beach front promenade has been developed thoroughly to accommodate not only for the million visitors a year to the city but the people who have chosen to make it their home. Featuring attractions like uShaka Marine World with its world famous underwater restaurant, the Mandela Stadium and the flea market. With a population of 3.5 million people comprised of a diverse blend of nationalities, cultures and religions the city’s management has endeavoured to accommodate for everyone and the result is a playful paradise.

Naturally hilly with gorges and set in a sub-tropical belt the city and the surrounding suburbs nestle within nature and rely on a precarious balance. The trees rise in explosions of luscious green in the middle of the business district, purple and pink jacarandas, palms and pines thrive in the humidity playing home to millions of birds, pigeons, yellow-

billed kites, indian-mynas and of course the Hadeda Ibis or har-dee-dar bird with the call that everyone recognizes instantly.

In additional EThekwini hosts Mr. Price Pro (www.mrpricepro.com), the international surfing competition which is held in the middle of July, the country’s winter season, it hosted the African World Cup in 2010 and supports all the major South African sports with a vigour (especially the Natal Sharks Rugby Team) and despite its youth as a city (founded in 1824) it boasts a history full of architectural wonders and hidden treasures to match much older cities from around the world.

What about the business?Business in EThekwini Durban flourishes thanks to

the “best managed port in Africa,”, the high levels of education that South Africa offers and the opportunities that the government provides to previously disadvantaged communities. As South Africa’s third largest city (next to Cape Town and Johannesburg) and the largest in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal the infrastructure of the city is a priority and the roads and rail transport are highly developed and maintained. The security of the various businesses has been strongly addressed with the direct result being the highest level of trained guards and attendants in the country.

The City Manager Sibusiswe Sithole who was unanimously selected for the role in December 2011, has no little task in safeguarding the city’s various operations and developments, but has paid keen attention to the businesses and the communities of the city by looking after the small but important details. His approach and his passion for progress and results was clear from the start:

“Firstly I will need to assemble a team that will complement my weaknesses and strengths. And I don’t want people who will not challenge me. When I am saying something that is not really right I need a person who will tell me that I am wrong,” – Sibusisiwe Sithole. December 2011.

Over the years, Durban has had to change fundamentally in order to accommodate and assimilate itself within the context of the new South Africa and continue providing services to all of the city’s residents.

The City spends billions of Rands yearly in providing vital services for its residents, and investing in its MIIF (Municipal Infrastructure Investment Framework). Its functions, service delivery and growth are not possible without effective revenue collection and expenditure, excellent financial management and reporting and viable and sustainable budgeting.

The City’s service delivery sectors are divided into administrative clusters, each with their own focused and clear roles and responsibilities. They provide organisational support, services and infrastructure to residents across eThekwini and each is responsible for its own planning and budget in accordance with the city’s overall plan.

“By 2020, eThekwini Municipality will enjoy the reputation of being Africa’s most caring and liveable city, where all citizens live in harmony.” – Durban.gov.za

To realise this vision, there are basic elements that the citizens, the business community and visitors must enjoy first. Things like, ease of movement in the Municipality, a safe environment in all parts of the municipal area, access

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eThekweni Municipality

eThekweni Municipality

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GOBA ENGINEERING

CORE VALUES

Pursuit of Excellence

Quality

Ubuntu

Integrity

Professionalism

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Q

U

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Telephone + 27 (0) Facsimile + 27 (0)Email infodurban@goba.co.za Website www.goba.co.za

25 Richefond Circle, Ridgeside Office Park, Umhlanga, 4319 PO Box 25401, Gateway, 4321, South Africa31 536 9400 31 536 9500

to economic opportunities, resources to afford what the Municipality offers, clean and green Municipality capable of delivering a range of ecosystem goods and services and access to services, in particular municipal, health and education services.

The city management have a simple goal in mind, one which is a reassurance for everyone who falls under their municipal wing: They want harmony and they want their

people to be proud of their municipality. South Africa is known for its national pride and optimism,

it is a country where people focus on the future and enjoy the present. A destination of choice not only for its fantastic weather, social cultures and strong business opportunities but for its diverse people and Durban embodies this spirit of joy and enthusiasm entirely.

Truly a wonderful place to be.

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eThekweni Municipality

Endeavour Magazine • April 2012 • 69

DONNIE RUST’S DURBAN Sand. Sea. Sunburns.

While I have travelled the world since leaving the humid, vibrant bosom of my home city, I spent two decades of my life in Durban and the city is largely responsible for my enviable outlook on life and my general go-getter attitude. J

Let’s break it down. A city’s spirit is made up of three key ingredients: the people, the activities and the amount of time you can spend in a bathing suit. If you doubt the validity of this, spend some time in London where the sun can’t be seen through the clouds of insane pigeons and the only smiles you see on people’s faces is when one of them fly into Big Ben.

In Durban I spent so much time in the ocean riding waves on my surf board or snorkelling and became accustomed to the taste of the sea in my mouth that I used salt on my Pronutro (a mainstay in any South African child’s breakfast regime) instead of sugar. Girls wore bikinis, sunglasses and sunscreen and there was so much to do that I simply couldn’t fit it all into twenty years.

At every available corner the sub-tropical vegetation is practically frothing to get out. Around the highways, around the suburbs, even in the middle

of the city where executives in suits are going about their business you have lines of giant trees. The smell of the ocean is thick in the air and it’s never quiet, along the miles and miles of promenade rickshaws are being dragged along by fleet footed Zulus with the most extraordinary headgear, music is playing at every turn and those curious nick-knacks that are so sought after in other parts of the world are available.

During the summer the sunshine and humidity steam cooks everything and in the evening the skies blacken and the clouds drop their payload in brief but absolutely drenching rain showers while everyone sits inside in their underwear sweating.

Food… oh the food, I’ve never eaten like I have there. Nothing else in the whole world tastes as good as it does in SA. You haven’t eaten meat until it comes off a flaming braai until it’s handed it to you on a plate with a fresh potato salad with everything smothered in monkey-gland-sauce.

South Africa is the best place to have grown up in and Durban is my number one choice. There is so much to offer and always something else to do which is why Durbanites are always looking for the next thing to do.

eThekweni Municipalitywww.eThekwini.gov.za+27 31 311 4801

Written by Jack Slater

www.littlegatepublishing.com