Latest news with #CyrilXaba
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
eThekwini Municipality achieves record 95% revenue collection rate
eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba Image: eThekwini Municipality / Facebook The revenue collection rate in the eThekwini Municipality has surged to about 95%. The municipality expressed its satisfaction with the revenue collection rate recorded at the end of June, noting that this is the highest increase in five years and falls within National Treasury norms. Mayor Cyril Xaba attributed the success to targeted revenue enhancement strategies that the City has implemented. He vowed to continue putting pressure on the administration to ensure that the City does not regress on the current collection rate. 'Revenue collection is the engine behind expanding services. We must ensure that the spirit of the Masakhane Campaign lives among our communities by encouraging people to pay for services,' said Xaba. Among the revenue enhancement strategies championed by Mayor Xaba is the 50% debt write-off programme, which ended in June. The ongoing deceased estate debt write-off initiative and the migration of meter reading from line directorates (water and electricity) to the Revenue Directorate also form part of the revenue enhancement strategies. The migration of meter reading has assisted in addressing the challenge of estimated bills, as meters are now being read regularly, and customers are paying for the monthly services they have consumed. Meter reading in the City has improved to the extent that only 12% and 20% of water and electricity bills are estimated, respectively. One of the reasons contributing to some meters not being read includes a lack of access to properties. Xaba encouraged residents to use the Municipal App to upload their meter readings monthly so they can be billed for the services they have consumed. 'We have made technology available to our customers to make their lives easier. While our officials will continue to read meters, customers must also play their part,' said the mayor. He called on officials to expedite investigations in cases where customers complain about irregular spikes in their water and electricity bills. 'I am happy that the Revenue Directorate is dispatching technicians to recalibrate or change faulty meters so that residents are billed correctly,' said the mayor. He added that he was pleased that the order for electricity meters will be delivered by the end of next month. 'This will assist us in ensuring that all properties are properly metered, and the City can start collecting revenue from them. Our main priority will be properties that have bypassed meters and those that have benefitted from the deceased estate debt write-off programme. We want all our customers to be connected to services legally and account for their monthly consumption,' said Xaba. THE MERCURY
The Herald
20-07-2025
- General
- The Herald
Burning candle caused Durban fire
He said officials met the grieving families of Mbango and Zulu. It has been reported the woman was looking after her friend's son, Zulu, but was locked in the shack at the time of the fire. 'At this stage our focus is to ensure extended families in Mount Frere and Umzimkhulu are properly informed about the tragedy. Sadly, Ms Nonhle Mbango buried her father weeks ago.' He said residents at the settlement were always affected by fires and natural disasters such as floods. 'Critically, we remain worried about the fact that residents who originally lived there were relocated to the newly built houses in Waterloo and double-storey homes just across Kennedy Road. 'In our meeting with the minister last week with eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba we agreed on the need to enforce the bylaws. This will help to prevent people from reoccupying or renting shacks. 'Notwithstanding these issues, we understand that people are moving to eThekwini and other secondary cities in search of socioeconomic opportunities,' Duma said. TimesLIVE
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Durban mayor Cyril Xaba champions transparency as Auditor-General presents audit findings
eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba Image: eThekwini Municipality / Facebook Ethekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba stated that he was keen to promote transparency and accountability by inviting the Auditor-General (AG) to present the Status of Records Review at an Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday. The report is the outcome of a high-level risk assessment process for the period 2024/25 against the 2023 and 2024 audit findings and commitments. According to the municipality, the AG's office presented two important documents: the Audit Strategy, which drives their engagements with City officials, and the Status of Records Review on 4 July. Xaba said he provided comments and commitments to the AG to support their work to improve audit outcomes and restore public trust in the municipality. He explained that in terms of the Audit Strategy, the AG will table the 2024 and 2025 audit outcomes to the executive committee in January 2026 and to council on 30 January 2026. The AG is expected to present the audit report for the municipality to Xaba on 28 November 2025. 'For the work they do, the City budgets around R30 million annually. This seminal work ultimately culminates in the Audit Outcomes. It assesses the extent to which management has addressed those matters and warns of the likelihood of the audit finding resurfacing in future audits. These are early warning signals that, if disregarded, lead to repeat findings,' Xaba said. 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 ✕ According to the municipality, the status of the records review looks at the following: It identifies key areas of concern that may impact the municipality's preparation of financial and performance reports, including complying with relevant legislation and achieving a clean audit. It assesses progress made in implementing audit action plans or meeting declared commitments to address areas of concern that were communicated in previous engagements with the accounting officer. It then zooms into deficiencies and risks in the procurement and contract management environment, and progress or lack thereof in addressing them. It cites poor contract management and planning, resulting in the use of expired contracts and the use of Section 36 due to poor planning. It reviews progress made by management in investigating the irregular expenditure reported in the previous financial year, steps taken to recover monies loss to the municipality and finalisation of investigations and instituting of disciplinary actions against the offending officials. 'There are challenges in the audit process. Inadequate or no supporting documentation was provided to substantiate the reported performance. Concerning the Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation verifying performance information, the AG's office noted that insufficient details were provided regarding the performance information verification process, and the evidence of whether such verifications have been performed,' Xaba said. According to Xaba, as part of his response to the matters raised by the AG, he highlighted the following resolutions adopted at the Drakensburg Strategic Retreat in March 2025: that both internal and external audit findings should be reported to the relevant Portfolio Committees to keep them abreast with the progress and challenges encountered in the implementation of action plans. Portfolio Committees will monitor progress every quarter.
Mail & Guardian
04-07-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Saturday's Durban July set to boost local economy by R700m
South Africa's fashion industry, traditionally synonymous with the event, will showcase the work of professional designers and upcoming talent at the Durban July Fashion Experience Tens of thousands of horse racing punters, fashionistas, foodies and other visitors who descend on eThekwini to party at the Hollywoodbets Durban July this weekend are expected to contribute around R700 million to the city's GDP. Africa's largest horseracing event, themed Marvels of Mzansi, is expected to generate significant economic activity and create 4 000 jobs, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said at the launch of the event at Westown Square in Shongweni. Xaba said the city's tourism and hospitality sectors anticipate an 80% hotel occupancy rate as visitors converge for the horseracing and fashion spectacle, which celebrates South Africa's cultural heritage, diversity and landscapes. 'The direct spend is estimated at R278 million, with a total of R700 million contribution to the eThekwini GDP, and a total number of 4 000 jobs to be created,' Xaba said. The economic impact will be generated at the racecourse and at side events, including Fact Durban Rocks, Any Given Sunday, Anywhere in the City and Mojo's July Weekend, across the city. 'Our law-enforcement agencies have developed an integrated safety plan, supported by the private security industry. Visitors are guaranteed a safe stay in the city with high police visibility, particularly around the Greyville precinct and other strategic sites across the municipality.' South Africa's fashion industry, traditionally synonymous with the event, will showcase the work of professional designers and upcoming talent at the Durban July Fashion Experience, a collaboration between the city and the Hollywood Foundation. Twenty-five designers will present Marvels of Mzansi collections, featuring three categories, including the Young Designers Awards, with 10 student finalists competing for bursaries and a fashion travel package, the Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars. Nine emerging designers supported by eThekwini's Fashion Development Programme will vie for a R250 000 business development prize and the Invited Designer Showcase, which will display the collections of six established designers. Gold Circle sponsorship and marketing executive Steve Marshall 'Its impact on racing is undeniable — it's the most prestigious race in South Africa. It's got a prize of over R5 million and it's the race that every trainer, owner, jockey, crew or breeder wants to win. It's in their dreams,' Marshall said. Hollywoodbets brand and communications manager Devin Heffer said the event brought together key sectors across the city. 'This race means so much to so many people, not just the racing industry, but everyone is intertwined. All the public, hospitality, tourism, the government, the GDP — everything is affected and infected with July fever,' he said. Xaba said he was speaking to hospitality stakeholders to enhance visitor experiences and align with future development plans. The city was investing R600 million annually in bulk infrastructure for catalytic projects, such as the R15 billion Shongweni Development and the R25 billion Sibaya Precinct Development to elevate tourism infrastructure. 'We are also looking into how we can invest more resources including setting aside a budget to improve tourism infrastructure,' Xaba said. 'The Hollywoodbets Durban July is more than a race — it is a catalyst for social cohesion as it unites South Africans through the passion of sport, the expression of cultural pride and the glamour of fashion,' Xaba said. 'We are really looking forward to the 5th of July and we are ready to roll out the red carpet for our visitors because Durban is open for business.'
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Hollywoodbets Durban July leads the way in KZN tourism surge
Models show off designs that were created in line with the Hollywoodbets Durban July's theme Marvels of Mzansi at the media launch for the horseracing event at Westown, Shongweni yesterday. Image: eThekwini Municipality KwaZulu-Natal is experiencing a significant tourism surge this winter, with the Hollywoodbets Durban July leading a packed calendar of cultural, sporting, and film-related events. These events are expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors and inject millions into the local economy. EThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba yesterday announced the City's state of readiness to host Africa's premier horse racing and fashion event, set to take place at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday. 'We anticipate R278 million in direct spend and close to R700 million contribution to the GDP. This will create over 4,000 jobs,' said Xaba of the event's economic impact. eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba speaks to the media at the launch event for the Hollywoodbets Durban July a Westown, Shongweni yesterday. Image: eThekwini Municipality 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 Hotel occupancy is expected to reach 80%, with over 50,000 local and international visitors expected to descend on Durban for the event. 'The Hollywoodbets Durban July is more than a race – it is a catalyst for social cohesion as it unites South Africans through the passion of sport, the expression of cultural pride, and the glamour of fashion,' Xaba said. To ensure safety, Xaba confirmed that 'our law enforcement agencies have developed an integrated safety plan, supported by the private security industry. Visitors are guaranteed a safe stay in the city with high police visibility, particularly around the Greyville precinct and other strategic sites across the municipality.' The event's theme, Marvels of Mzansi, celebrates South Africa's cultural heritage and diversity. The Durban July Fashion Experience, hosted in collaboration with the Hollywood Foundation, will feature 25 designers. The programme is divided into three categories: the Young Designers Awards with 10 student finalists; the Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars with nine emerging designers who will share R250,000 for business development; and the Invited Designer Showcase with six established designers, four of whom are graduates of the city's Fashion Development Programme. 'Through this event, these designers will get exposure to thousands of attendees and potential buyers,' said Xaba. The Durban July will also be supported by city-wide activations and spin-off events including music events such as Fact Durban Rocks, Any Given Sunday, Anywhere in the City, and Mojo's July Weekend to spread festivities across the townships and suburbs. KZN's broader winter tourism season has also gained momentum. According to the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA), the province is expecting a 12–15% increase in domestic arrivals this July compared to 2024, translating to around R500 million in tourism-related contributions. 'July will deliver a substantial surge in domestic travel, thanks to the alignment of the school holidays, hallmark events and our temperate winter climate,' said KZNTAFA Interim CEO Sibusiso Gumbi. Gumbi added that the Hollywoodbets Durban July alone is expected to bring in significant tourism spend. At KZNTAFA's hospitality marquee at Greyville, guests will enjoy an exclusive fashion installation curated by top KZN designers in collaboration with cultural curators, ahead of the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards on 19 July.
