eThekwini Municipality partners with DFFE for impactful environmental initiatives
Image: FILE
The eThekwini Municipality will enter into a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) to undertake environment-related programmes in Durban.
Councillors approved the collaborations between the municipality's Recreation and Parks Directorate, Natural Resources Department, and the DFFE at a council meeting on Thursday. The environmental programme will also be facilitated with other institutions of similar interests or common goals.
The objectives of this collaboration are as follows: Cleaning and greening of public open space.
Coastal rehabilitation and maintenance across the eThekwini coastline.
Protect and restore natural open spaces, including riverine ecosystems.
Enhance conservation of biodiversity and habitat protection.
Capacity building and skills development for local communities.
Enhancing the municipality's environmental management capacity.
Promoting environmental education and awareness.
Supporting diversity protection, environmental conservation within municipal nature reserves.
Among the benefits of engaging in this collaboration are improved coastal and environmental infrastructure maintenance at no direct cost to the municipality.
"This collaboration aims to implement environmental programmes such as Working for the Coast/Coast Care, Source to Sea, Working for Fire, Working for Water, People and Parks, and other programmes initiated to respond to adverse climatic conditions,' stated the municipal report.
These programmes are also implemented as per the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) initiative. During the implementation of the programme, workers are paid a stipend by the national department and may receive training for future employability, and such training is facilitated by the provincial Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs.
At the council meeting, Welekazi Sibiya, DA eThekwini councillor, alleged that the city has a climate committee that has yet to convene since the election of the eThekwini council in 2021.
According to Sibiya, this is unacceptable and displays the city's lack of urgency in dealing with this important matter.
She said that eThekwini is a place of incredible natural beauty, from its golden beaches to its lush greenery and vibrant communities, but with this beauty comes responsibility.
She said a clean environment is not just about how nice things look; it is about health, sustainability, and the legacy left for future generations.
'A clean environment boosts tourism and economic growth. By maintaining cleanliness, we not only preserve our heritage but also create opportunities for jobs and development. Climate change has been cited as a risk, and mitigating the impacts of climate change is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. Our planning must reflect our seriousness in dealing with the impacts of changing weather patterns,' she said.
Sandile Gwala, IFP eThekwini councillor, said the initiative came from Narend Singh, the deputy minister of DFFE.
Gwala stated people flocked to Durban because of its warm climate and tourism appeal.
'This collaboration will assist and improve much on our eThekwini 2030 vision and will also benefit us in improving coastal and environmental infrastructure maintenance at no cost to the city," he said.
Gwala added that this will also create job opportunities for the EPWP programme, which was facing a crisis in eThekwini.
'The issue is transparency and accountability of the EPWP programme. We must monitor this when it kickstarts.'
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Gigantic OR Tambo statue evokes discontent in North Beach
NORTH Beach residents have expressed their distress regarding the towering statue of O.R. Tambo, located along O.R. Tambo Parade (formerly Snell Parade) on the beachfront. It is currently covered pending official unveiling. The North Beach Ratepayers Association shared, 'The cost to erect the statues of Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela on the Durban city hall precinct was reportedly around R22m. However, another company mentioned a slightly different figure of R20m for the two statues. The statues, designed by artist Lungelo Gumede, are part of the eThekwini Municipality's effort to promote black unity and transform the city's heritage landscape. The project has sparked controversy, with some critics questioning the allocation of such a large sum for statues while many people in the city struggle with poverty and infrastructure issues.' Also read: City agrees to erect Mandela, Tambo statues in Durban Ward 26 councillor, Sibusiso Lushaba, confirmed that the statue is being erected, together with one of Nelson Mandela, near Moses Mabhida Stadium. Other residents commented that the erection of statues is a waste of funds when there are people who are starving, and the homeless are without shelters. 'This is another way the politicians will embezzle funds and line their pockets. Service delivery is slacking, and the infrastructure is falling apart. How come this is a priority?' Gugu Sisilana, spokesperson for eThekwini Municipality could not respond to questions about the cost of the statue, and the benefits for residents. 'Please note that information regarding the statue costs, unveiling, and associated benefits will be communicated once all internal processes have been finalised, hence the statue is still covered. The media will be informed accordingly at that stage. 'We kindly request that you await the completion of these processes to ensure that any reporting on the project is accurate and factual,' she added. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
eThekwini Municipality partners with DFFE for impactful environmental initiatives
The eThekwini Municipality will enter into a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment to undertake environment-related programmes. Image: FILE The eThekwini Municipality will enter into a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) to undertake environment-related programmes in Durban. Councillors approved the collaborations between the municipality's Recreation and Parks Directorate, Natural Resources Department, and the DFFE at a council meeting on Thursday. The environmental programme will also be facilitated with other institutions of similar interests or common goals. The objectives of this collaboration are as follows: Cleaning and greening of public open space. Coastal rehabilitation and maintenance across the eThekwini coastline. Protect and restore natural open spaces, including riverine ecosystems. Enhance conservation of biodiversity and habitat protection. Capacity building and skills development for local communities. Enhancing the municipality's environmental management capacity. Promoting environmental education and awareness. Supporting diversity protection, environmental conservation within municipal nature reserves. Among the benefits of engaging in this collaboration are improved coastal and environmental infrastructure maintenance at no direct cost to the municipality. "This collaboration aims to implement environmental programmes such as Working for the Coast/Coast Care, Source to Sea, Working for Fire, Working for Water, People and Parks, and other programmes initiated to respond to adverse climatic conditions,' stated the municipal report. These programmes are also implemented as per the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) initiative. During the implementation of the programme, workers are paid a stipend by the national department and may receive training for future employability, and such training is facilitated by the provincial Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs. At the council meeting, Welekazi Sibiya, DA eThekwini councillor, alleged that the city has a climate committee that has yet to convene since the election of the eThekwini council in 2021. According to Sibiya, this is unacceptable and displays the city's lack of urgency in dealing with this important matter. She said that eThekwini is a place of incredible natural beauty, from its golden beaches to its lush greenery and vibrant communities, but with this beauty comes responsibility. She said a clean environment is not just about how nice things look; it is about health, sustainability, and the legacy left for future generations. 'A clean environment boosts tourism and economic growth. By maintaining cleanliness, we not only preserve our heritage but also create opportunities for jobs and development. Climate change has been cited as a risk, and mitigating the impacts of climate change is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. Our planning must reflect our seriousness in dealing with the impacts of changing weather patterns,' she said. Sandile Gwala, IFP eThekwini councillor, said the initiative came from Narend Singh, the deputy minister of DFFE. Gwala stated people flocked to Durban because of its warm climate and tourism appeal. 'This collaboration will assist and improve much on our eThekwini 2030 vision and will also benefit us in improving coastal and environmental infrastructure maintenance at no cost to the city," he said. Gwala added that this will also create job opportunities for the EPWP programme, which was facing a crisis in eThekwini. 'The issue is transparency and accountability of the EPWP programme. We must monitor this when it kickstarts.'
TimesLIVE
29-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
Madlanga commission to cost taxpayers R147.9m over six months
'The estimated budget for the commission over six months is R147.9m.' On Monday the commission chairperson, acting deputy chief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, said work had started and they were treating the matter with urgency. The commission is set to begin in August, with the first interim report to be submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa within the first three months. Madlanga said the inquiry would sit in Gauteng at a soon-to-be-announced venue, as the commission was still procuring premises. The commission comes after serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that police minister Senzo Mchunu and deputy police commissioner for crime detection Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya worked in cahoots with criminals. Mchunu and Sibiya have since been placed on 'leave of absence'. Mkhwanazi alleged Mchunu and Sibiya were connected to criminals who run a drug syndicate from Gauteng and they were influenced by criminals to disband the political killings task team which was doing a good job. The commission will also probe: the Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni metropolitan police departments; the National Prosecuting Authority; the SAPS; and the judiciary.
