Latest news with #MEC
The Citizen
18 hours ago
- General
- The Citizen
Toddler among two killed in Kennedy Road Settlement fire
Kennedy Road Informal Settlements face persistent challenges with fires and natural disasters. Bandile Zulu and Nonhle Mbango, victims of Kennedy Road Informal Settlements fire. Image: Collage/ SUpplied/ MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma. A 19-month-old baby and a 25-year-old woman died in a devastating fire that swept through Kennedy Road Informal Settlements, destroying 122 shacks. According to officials, the blaze originated from a burning candle. The victims have been identified as Bandile Zulu, the 19-month-old baby, and Nonhle Mbango, 25, who had recently buried her father just weeks before the tragedy. Government response to Kennedy Road Informal Settlements fire KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said he engaged with Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane to coordinate emergency assistance for affected families. 'We wish to report that a roving team involving officials from the national Department of Human Settlements, the provincial Department of Human Settlements, and the eThekwini Municipality is already working out a plan to speed up the delivery of building material,' Duma said. The MEC confirmed that officials from his office have already met with the bereaved families. 'We send our deepest condolences to Zulu and Mbango families. May the departed souls rest in peace,' he stated. According to Duma, relief efforts awaited the completion of verification processes by disaster management teams from eThekwini Municipality and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). ALSO READ: 'His brother is not coming back': Heartbroken mother speaks after toddler dies in Pretoria tent fire Extended family notification Duma indicated that authorities are prioritising communication with extended family members in distant areas. 'At this stage, their focus is to ensure that extended families in Mount Frere and Umzimkhulu are properly informed about the tragedy,' he said. The MEC is working alongside Ward 25 Councillor Themba Mkhize to assist families with burial arrangements for their loved ones. Recurring disaster pattern and relocation challenges Kennedy Road Informal Settlements face persistent challenges with fires and natural disasters. 'Kennedy Road Informal Settlements are always affected by fires and natural disasters such as floods,' Duma noted. The MEC expressed concern about settlement patterns despite previous relocation efforts. Many residents who were originally relocated to alternative areas returned to the informal settlement. 'Critically, we remain worried about the fact that residents who originally lived there were relocated to the newly built houses in Waterloo and double-story homes just across Kennedy Road,' Duma stated. During a recent meeting with Minister Simelane and eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba, officials agreed on stronger enforcement measures. The leadership consensus focused on implementing bylaws to prevent people from reoccupying or renting shacks in the area. ALSO READ: Six-year-old Limpopo boy shot in the head by stray bullet Urban migration realities Despite enforcement challenges, Duma acknowledged the broader socio-economic factors driving the growth of informal settlements. People continue to migrate to eThekwini and other secondary cities in search of economic opportunities. 'These are realities that we are grappling with,' he said. MEC spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya confirmed the government's multi-level response to the tragedy. The spokesperson emphasised that building material delivery plans are already underway, pending final verification by the disaster team. READ NEXT: George building collapse 'was entirely preventable' – report
The Citizen
3 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga education department targets 90% matric pass rate for 2025
The Mpumalanga Department of Education's (DoE) Winter Vacation Classes for Grade 12 learners are currently under way. These sessions began on Monday, July 7 and will run until Friday, July 18. A total of 23034 learners are attending the programme, all from schools that achieved below an 80% pass rate in the 2024 National Senior Certificate examinations. According to former MEC for education, Cathy Dlamini, the Winter Classes form a key part of the department's intervention strategy. 'We aim to provide targeted academic support, close learning gaps, and help learners prepare for improved performance in their final exams,' said Dlamini. The department has appointed experienced, high-performing teachers with proven track records to facilitate the sessions. Their expertise is expected to accelerate academic recovery and expose learners to effective teaching strategies. ALSO READ: Business seminar uplifts youth in Pienaar To support attendance, the DoE is providing daily meals and scholar transport to qualifying learners for the duration of the programme. Officials from the department visited Lekazi Central Secondary School on the opening day to monitor the start of the programme. ALSO READ: Mpumalanga education department ready for 2025 winter classes 'Our goal is clear – to raise the provincial matric pass rate to 90%. To achieve this, we urge parents, guardians and the broader school community to support and encourage the learners to attend these classes consistently,' said Dlamini. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
KwaZulu-Natal celebrates US Independence Day with a focus on economic partnerships
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) MEC Reverend Musa Zondi delivered a message of support at the commemoration of the United States of America's 249th Independence Day in Durban. Image: EDTEA KZN / Facebook During the commemoration of the United States of America's 249th Independence Day, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) MEC Reverend Musa Zondi emphasised the significant investments made by American businesses in South Africa, especially in KwaZulu-Natal. On Tuesday evening, Zondi delivered a message of support on behalf of the KZN government at the commemoration event at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Durban. 'On behalf of the Honourable Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Honourable Thami Ntuli, and the people of our province, I extend warm wishes of peace, prosperity, and enduring friendship to the government and people of the United States of America,' Zondi said. He highlighted the significant investments made by American businesses in South Africa, particularly in KZN. These contributions, he noted, have fostered economic growth and aided families in a province struggling with high unemployment. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'Through AGOA, billions of Rands' worth of exports have found their way into American markets, creating a vital trade lifeline. From vehicles to agricultural goods, from our ports to your cities, the connection is real. And beyond commerce, there is the cultural influence - music, film, innovation, that continues to inspire,' Zondi said. He also called for the reaffirmation of sub-national diplomacy, emphasising the importance of strengthening partnerships between provinces like KZN and US states and cities. 'In this regard, we support the revival of the Friendship City Agreement between Durban and Los Angeles. This partnership holds potential for renewed collaboration in port development, maritime education, creative industries, and green logistics. We also hope to expand US investments in key provincial sectors,' Zondi said. US Consulate General in Durban, Consul General Rebecca E Gonzales, with Amajuba District Municipality Mayor Thembelihle Mthembu. Image: Amajuba District Municipality / Facebook Amajuba District Municipality Mayor Thembelihle Mthembu expressed his honour at the chance to participate in the celebration. 'As we celebrated the rich history and enduring spirit of independence that the United States embodies, it is important to reflect on the long-standing and fruitful relationship between our two countries,' Mthembu said. 'Over the decades, the United States has been a vital partner in global development, with its contributions in various sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and governance positively impacting the lives of millions of people around the world, including here in South Africa.' Mthembu said honouring the invitation was more than an expression of diplomacy but an important strategic opportunity for Amajuba. 'As the Amajuba District Municipality continues to focus on its sustainable development goals, it is essential to strengthen our ties with key international stakeholders and agencies who can contribute to our progress. The United States, with its wealth of resources and expertise, remains an invaluable partner for fostering growth, innovation, and prosperity within our region,' Mthembu said. He also said the invitation represents an opportunity where they hope to forge stronger collaborations that can attract investment, improve skills development, and address key socio-economic challenges within Amajuba. 'We look forward to building on this gesture of goodwill and engaging with relevant partners to bring positive, lasting change to our community,' Mthembu said.
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- General
- Eyewitness News
EC govt faces funding shortfall for families displaced by floods
JOHANNESBURG - The Eastern Cape Human Settlements Department said that while R461 million is required for temporary residential units to house flood victims, it only has R120 million. The number of units required is 4,724 across six municipalities. The deadly floods that started in June claimed the lives of at least 103 people and left thousands more homeless. The provincial government held a media briefing in Mthatha to update on disaster response and recovery operations. Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department MEC Zolile Williams said, 'The Department of Human Settlements stands ready to start the erection of TRUs; however, we have experienced delays due to community resistance to accommodate victims of floods in both municipalities despite social facilitation efforts.' ALSO READ: Eastern Cape govt estimates R88m needed to repair healthcare facilities damaged by recent floods
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Smart number plates and 25-year vision: Here is Gauteng's roads budget
MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela stated that only 47% of Gauteng's provincial roads were considered to be in a fair condition. The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) is embarking on a decades-long journey. This is the goal of MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, who outlined the department's budget and goals for the upcoming financial year and beyond. For the past two years, GDRT have been working on a revised 25-year Integrated Transport Master Plan (ITMP25), which it hopes will gain further traction in the next quarter. Revolutionary spirit The MEC began her budget speech on Wednesday with a quote from Nelson Mandela, two days before the nation celebrates Mandela Day. 'It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both the pain and the progress of our past,' she said. Diale-Tlabela then went on to praise Soviet leaders Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky for building 'the Red Army from a train car'. The MEC saluted the communist pair's vision of using transport to propel the 'movement of history'. 'Without control of transport, there can be no control of production, no coordination of labour, and no foundation for planning,' stated Diale-Tlabela. 'The final ITMP25, after an extensive consultative process, will be submitted in the second quarter of the current financial year to the Premier and Executive Council for approval,' she explained. The ITMP25's core aims, among others, include linking economic zones with reliable transport infrastructure, travel demand management, enhanced digitisation, and decarbonisation. Budget of almost R10 billion To achieve these goals, the department will have R9.7 billion of state funding at its disposal. Planning, construction and maintenance will be allocated R2.7 billion and R672 million will be earmarked for administrative functions. R3 billion will go towards public transport and the funding of 16 subsidised bus contracts across four municipalities. A further R2.2 billion will be allocated to the Gautrain system — a service where roughly 9 200 people have successfully accessed their 50% Gautrain discount in 2025. Smart solutions The length of roads under the department's jurisdiction total 5 593km and include 664 bridges and 450 major culverts. The MEC conceded that only 47% of surfaced roads under the department control were in a fair condition while 100% of the 1 232km of gravel roads were in a poor condition. Despite this, Diale-Tlabela said the department achieved 84% of the annual targets and has recently identified 54 critical roads across five regions for upgrades. Other upcoming initiatives include the rollout of smart licensing centres throughout the province and smart traceable number plates, which will feature QR codes and tamper-evident decals. 'Given that a vast majority of criminal acts involve vehicles with falsified number plates, this initiative is crucial for law enforcement agencies to effectively trace and apprehend offenders,' stated the MEC. Monitoring of the smart infrastructure will be done through a centralised command and control hub which could be operational by the end of the financial year, subject to procurement processes. A rapid response unit has also been established to 'facilitate timeous interventions' to problems raised by communities. Human capital Diale-Tlabela noted that an advanced recruitment plan was in effect to fill 68 key vacancies within the department. Human resources have also been bolstered through the hiring of 81 interns working in various branches of the department, which serves as a dual skills development and empowerment project. The MEC said that the department aimed for 50% equal gender representation among staff, noting that the current split was 59% male and 41% female, with 0.6% of the total comprising persons with disabilities. 'As part of professionalising the sector, the Candidacy programme is one of the instruments that are being utilised to ensure that there is long-term technical capacity in the organisation,' the MEC concluded. NOW READ: JRA allocated just 1% of amount needed to fix Johannesburg's roads
