Izwi - Cato Manor Community Newspaper

Voice For Labour Only Contractors

A new small contractor association has been formed in Cato Manor to protect emerging contractors from what it terms "exploitation" by big contractors.
"Labour only contractors are often faced with problems regarding pricing. Big contractors dictate rates which are unfair, resulting in sub-contractors not being able to pay their workers and make a profit," said Vuyani Thambodala, chairperson of the Cato Manor Emerging Contractors Association.
According to Vuyani the association will also act as a vehicle to advance the entrepreneurial development of members and encourage members to become competitive business entities with their own financial resources.
"We must be able to tender for any contract in Cato Manor and form joint ventures with big contractors. It is time that the main contractors stopped paying lip service to empowerment. Joint ventures are a sure way of empowering the previously disadvantaged. Eighty percent of the contract should be awarded to emerging contractors and twenty percent should be enough for the big contractor.
"The big contractors ought to ensure that they pass on their skills. It is time they stopped using us as fronts and exploiting the labour only contractor," said Vuyani.
The Association has registered with the African Builders Association. Other members of the executive committee are Enock Mthimkhulu (deputy chairperson), Thulani Mkhwanazi (secretary), Bheki Ngwane (treasurer) and Sipho Mkhize (convener). There are four sub- committees.

These hardworking labour only sub-contractors will now be represented by the Cato Manor Emerging Contractors Association

Chesterville pupils expel teachers

Classes were disrupted by pupils at Chesterville High School recently when pupils prevented four teachers from entering classrooms following allegations of misconduct. Pupils accused the four teachers of contributing to the breakdown of learning in the school. As a result of the disruption the school had to close down with the pupils vowing not to return to classes if the teachers returned to school.
However three of the four teachers have been allowed to return to school pending an investigation by the Department of Education into the allegations of misconduct. The fourth teacher has not returned. No one knows his whereabouts.
Classes are now back to normal. Principal of the School, Vusimuzi Bophela said: "Although the pupils are back in their classes, the culture of proper learning has not been fully instilled.
"With regards to the other teacher, we don't know his whereabouts. The department advised all of them to return to school after a meeting was held with parents, pupils, the school's governing body and community leaders."
Some of the allegations that were levelled against the teachers were quite serious. A member of the Students' Representative Council, told IZWI that their decision to take a stand against the teachers was a culmination of their frustration following a number of fruitless discussions with the school's governing body, department of education representatives and the community.
"Our patience with these teachers has run out, he said.
"We are also concerned with the school's matric results. They seem to be plummeting downwards each year. In 1996 the school recorded a pass rate of 67% - last year it was 13%. We fear that this year it will be 5%. We believe the climate at school in not conducive for optimum results."

Letters To The Editor
DARK STREETS Dear IZWI Please publish this letter on my behalf. I am a resident of Chesterville. I have been living in this township ever since I was born. My concern is that the township streets are very dark. There is no electricity especially the main road. It is unsafe. I make a silent prayer every time a taxi drops me because I don't know what lurks in the dark ready to rob me of my empty lunch box and my umbrella. Who do we talk to about this problem? The councillor is a very hard man to get. Though incidents of robbery have diminished who knows what tomorrow holds. Please councillor remember that you are still our servant no matter how busy you are. Address these small problems because they will help you become popular with us. M Mdlozini *Councillor Sbu Gumede responds ...* Dear M Mdlozini There are two ways one can respond to your letter: The first is that you have a political agenda which you wish to pursue publicly to make me look bad. If that were the case I can say, this is a free country everyone has a right to freedom of speech and you are entitled to your opinion.,br> But if your concern is genuine, then my advice is to become a part of the collective. In Chesterville we have street committees which meet regularly to discuss problems at street level. Besides the street committees we have a residents committee which is made up of different sub-structures that deal with issues ranging from education to social. Fortunately we have a Masakhane committee that was specifically set up to address problems emanating from Metro Council-related services. Mr Mokoena from Chesterville serves on this committee. Members of the community should relay these problems to him. He can be contacted at 261 119. Phumzile Kubheka is stationed at the township office to receive complaints from members of the community. She can be contacted at 082 710 0606. As you are well aware the councillor cannot consult with every member of the community that is why these structures are set up so that the community plays a pro-active role in its development. The councillor is a member of a political party and if the electorate is not satisfied with the councillor's performance they should report him to the political party concerned. Lastly members of the community also have a responsibility to ensure that everything functions normally within their surroundings. The telephone directory bears all toll-free numbers that they can use to alert Metro service departments if there are problems regarding electricity, water and sewerage. Please use them. Sbusiso Gumede Councillor for Chesterville	LOOKING FOR ANSWERS The Gillatts Crescent community was wondering whether there was any fresh news from your organisation regarding the re-zoning and expropriation of our properties to make way for a road. We are pushed from pillar to post when we telephone the Metro, yet rumours abound. Also, have you any news regarding when development of Cato Crest in the Molver Road area, or adjacent to our road, will commence? We also have not seen the publication IZWI lately - is it still being printed by yourselves? Elsa Brown *Cathy Ferguson of CMDA replies:* Dear Elsa Firstly, our apologies in the delay to replying to your letter. We too have been trying to establish progress on our re-zoning of the Cato Manor arterial road. The matter is still before the Planning Committee of the North and South Central Council. According to the Planning officials the matter has again been deferred by the committee for further public participation. Regarding the upgrading of the housing in Cato Crest, our current programme schedules the upgrading of the settlement over the next two to three years, depending on funding availability and relocation opportunities. Phasing of components of the upgrading will be dependent on technical decisions, eg the availability of bulk services. Lastly, we sub-contract the distribution of IZWI to local distributors. We are disturbed to hear that you have not been receiving your copies. We will take the matter up with the distributor concerned and ensure that you receive copies in the future. Additional copies are left at the Spar and at the Mayville Police Station. Cathy Ferguson Manager: Spatial Planning & Information Systems, CMDA