Podcast: KwaDukuza mayor with Alex Mthiyane on Gagasi FM

 KwaDukuza mayor Lindile Nhaca speaks on Gagasi FM |  Click here to listen |



In this podcast, the mayor of KwaDukuza Lindile Nhaca unpacks the latest municipal developments on Gagasi FM with Alex Mthiyane. 

It also casts sight on high-level issues impacting service delivery in KwaDukuza, including fallacious media reports suggesting that the mayor was recalled by her party, the African National Congress.

The mayor also highlights key economic development projects that are currently underway where she announces major upgrades to the KwaDukuza and Ballito Taxi Ranks.

The municipality invested R17,7 million towards the construction of the KwaDukuza Taxi Rank and a further R6.5 million was allocated towards upgrades into the Ballito Taxi Rank for the construction of commuter shelters and ablution facilities. "Currently, there is an amount of R2 million set aside for building retail outlets for the two facilities. We urge the community to be patient with us as construction continues on both sites", she said.

The mayor also points out that an amount of R 30 million was allocated for Phase 2 of the New Dukuza Substation Project. The project will contribute towards easing the burden of supply on the grid and facilitate more electricity generation to address the growing population and infrastructure developments - especially along the southern corridor which includes Ballito and neighbouring communities where big investments are happening.

The mayor also underscored the Nonoti Recreational Beach Node Development which is under development in Wards 03 as one of the catalytic projects of the council. She paid tribute to late mayor of KwaDukuza, Cllr. Ricardo Mthembu who initiated the project, appreciating his stewardship. The new beach development is expected to stimulate domestic and international tourism opportunities and to leverage private sector investments.

On private investments, the mayor underlined several projects that are creating jobs for local people. She said the municipality continues to attract industrialists and key investments.

She pointed out that the Club Med Coastal Resort under development in Tinley Manor is worth an impressive value of over R1.6 billion.

Earlier this week, a housing agency named Alley Roads announced that it has acquired land that was previously owned by Standard Bank in Woodmead. The company is investing R10 billion towards building houses and a mall. The municipality has approved their request for building.


Shree Properties has also committed to build a new factory that will create 2000 jobs. The municipality is currently processing building plans so that they may commence with construction.

 

Mayo Macs is venturing in Macadamia Nuts in the Darnall area, and approvals for their building plans are at an advanced stage. Mayor Nhaca also cited the Zimbali Lakes development as one of the strategic investments in her municipality. She said these developments are proof that KwaDukuza is an investment friendly zone and that they add more chapters to the municipal portfolio and for cushioning KwaDukuza into becoming a world-class investment destination.


Alex Mthiyane also requests the mayor to highlight key challenges affecting the municipality. Nhaca was quick to suggest that energy security remains the biggest threat to municipal revenue, and this is partly influenced by illegal connections. "The municipality adopted sixteen (16) strategies to reduce energy losses. Out of 16 developed strategies ten (10) are in progress which includes the commissioning of SCADA, meter auditing, prepared metering..."


She said an amount of R117 million was allocated towards electricity for the current financial year to get every household and business connected.


On grant funding, the municipality over the past two years suffered devastating floods of which the municipality was offered grant funding amounting to R1.3 billion for the repairs of damaged roads, stormwater and bridges. Nhaca indicated that the majority of projects are well underway. The grants covered a total of 429 projects. Out of the 429, a majority of 293 projects have been completed, and 140 are still under construction.


The municipality invested on the Dukuza Substation which is one of the municipality's biggest electrical infrastructure projects to date. In the past two weeks, the municipality received Transformer One of three (1/3). This new station will become the cornerstone for the development of the southern corridor along the King Shaka Airport.


The mayor also welcome the latest decision by the provincial government to build a palace of the traditional Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini in Ballito as part of honoring the legacy of King Shaka kaSenzangakhona. She aptly put it, "this is part of restoring our rich heritage and would serve a fitting tribute to the Zulu King Shaka kaSenzangakhona. As the mayor, I will also lobby the council of KwaDukuza to ensure that this palace is established without any hindrances."


The mayor thanked the deputy minister for Public Works, Mr. Sihle Zikalala for taking an aggressive stance on the slow pace of progress on the new Home Affairs building that is under construction in the KwaDukuza CBD. "We thank Sihle Zikalala for his efforts to expedite the construction of this building. The minister demanded a detailed report from his officials since the site was handed over to the contractor in February 2021". The project is now 70% towards completion.


Nhaca concluded the podcast by announcing the 40th anniversary of Umkhosi Womhlanga which will be hosted on 24 September 2024 in KwaDukuza. "We encourage the people of this province to use this year's Heritage Month to promote community cohesion, build unity and work to promote the country's democratic values, as stated in the country's Constitution, said Nhaca.


End


Issued by the Office of the mayor of KwaDukuza Municipality

Enquiries: Sphe Ngobese | 0737847822 | sphelelon@kwadukuza.gov.za

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