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Big changes for Durban
There are big political, administrative and geographic changes
in store for Durban over the next few months as the Metro Council
prepares the way for the local government elections in November.
Firstly, Durban has been designated as a city that will have a unitary
local government system. This means that the local councils, such
as south central, inner west and outer west etc, will cease to exist
and Durban will be administered by one council. Secondly, the boundaries
of Durban have been changed to include Umbumbulu, the area around
Inanda dam, Umkomaas and parts of Ilembe and Ndlovu regional council
areas. This increases the Durban area by a massive 68%, and increases
the
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population by 9%. Some of the prominent features
of these newly incorporated areas are the Inanda, Hazelmere and
Dudley Pringle dams, and SAPPI SAICCOR industrial area on the Umkomaas
River.
The majority of these new areas are rural and have little or no
infrastructure. Being incorporated into Metro Durban raises hope
of improving the services to these areas.
New administrative system
In November 2000 the second democratic local government elections
will take place, and a new administrative system will take over
Durban. There will be 200 councillors in the new Unicity: 50% will
be voted for and 50% will be nominated councillors appointed by
their political parties according to the number of votes received
by each party.
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The winners of this year’s Mayor’s Awards will be
made to feel like royalty, thanks to the generosity of local businesses.
The awards strive to recognise Durban’s unsung heroes, ordinary
men and women who have done extraordinary things for their communities
and city. On October 6 at a glittering banquet at the International
Convention Centre (ICC) they will finally get the recognition they
so richly deserve.
South African Breweries has already committed R50 000 towards making
the event a success and Engen Refineries has donated five computers
as the main prizes for the winners in the five categories, that
is, Crime Prevention, Tourism, Wealth and Job Creation, Clean Environment
and Community Development. But there is still time for the business
sector to be associated with the high profile awards. Tables at
the banquet are still available at R2 500 per table for 10 individuals.
Please contact Khetho Mathonsi or Nosisi Macoli at the Mayor’s Office
on 300 6131/2 if you want to nominate a business, become associated
with the banquet or to book a table. In addition to the recognition
they will receive on the night and in the local media, finalists,
winners, sponsors and business awards winners will also be featured
in a spread in Metrobeat magazine which is distributed to everyone
in the metro who receives a consolidated bill.
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