Latest news with #TourismandEnvironmentalAffairs
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
KZN Legislature's new initiatives for informal traders
The KZN Economic Development and Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) awarded R900,000 to Impendle for the construction of 18 galvanised steel vendor stalls. Image: Supplied Informal trading infrastructure projects were the point of focus at the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature on Tuesday. The Economic Development and Planning Portfolio Committee met with the Impendle and Msunduzi municipalities for project updates. The KZN Economic Development and Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) awarded R900,000 to Impendle Municipality for the construction of 18 galvanised steel vendor stalls. The project provided alternatives to containerised structures and provided dignified trade spaces. The municipality stated that the project improved the image of the CBD and brought some confidence in the recognition of informal trade. In its report, the Impendle Municipal Infrastructure for Informal Enterprises (MIE) had spent R877,000 to supply, deliver, and erect market stalls. The project closeout phase is expected to be completed on August 30, 2025. Satishrai Bhanprakash, IFP MPL, raised concerns about the long-term maintenance plans for the structures, which he feared would be open to theft. The municipality stated that it did have a maintenance plan and that the metal structures were galvanised and durable. The committee also called for better oversight and proper details on invoicing. Also discussed was the construction of 15 brick and mortar structures for the Inzinga\ KwaNxamalala Trading Units project, which received R2.1 million from EDTEA in the 2022/23 financial year. According to Impendle Municipality, the Inzinga settlement is mapped as a secondary node on Impendle's spatial development framework. The node already has schools, a sports field, a primary clinic, and a tribal court. The area is missing commercial service. "This application aims to close this gap. The implementation of this project will help in the strategic objective to bolster area area-based management plan. The idea is to provide options so that they don't have to travel to the Impendle CBD for minor day-to-day needs," the report stated. The implementation was delayed due to limited funding in 2024\2025 with a funding agreement concluded in December 2024. Work is expected to start in August 2025 subject to the finailisaton of a lease agreement with the Ingonyama trust. Shontel De Boer, a DA MPL, said she was not happy with the reports when the committee conducted an oversight in Impendle. 'The report lacked details. We asked alot of questions at the meeting and we were promised a detailed report to make a decision. This report is also too vague,' she said. Mafika Mndebele, the chairperson of the committee in the legislature, urged the municipalities to do all they can to ensure that the projects are implemented. Phindile Zondi, the Msunduzi Municipality manager of Economic Planning and Infrastructure, spoke of the redevelopment of the Ematsheni Development Services situated on Retief Street in the Pietermaritzburg CBD. They received R3 million from EDTEA while the municipality invested R1 million. Zondi said the site was previously developed as a beer hall, which further supports the proposal, which is to enhance informal traders and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). 'In 2017, the site was demolished and mobilised for funding. Vagrants moved onto the property and undertook illegal activities. With the funding, we changed the narrative. It is expected that a contractor will be appointed during August 2025 to commence with the implementation of Phase 1 of the project,' Zondi said. The site establishment is expected to commence in September 2025 for nine months. [email protected] The redevelopment of the Ematsheni Development Services situated on Retief Street in the Pietermaritzburg CBD. The project is estimated at R4 million. Image: Msunduzi Municipality
IOL News
5 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Budget constraints: KZN air quality stations non-operational
The Durban landscape. Concerns have been raised about the air quality in KwaZulu-Natal as air quality monitoring stations have not been working for two years. Image: File Photo: Leon Lestrade Independent Newspapers KZN's air quality monitoring stations are non-operational due to budget constraints, raising concerns about the health impacts on communities. YOSHINI PERUMAL explores the implications of the shutdown and the call for urgent action. WITH all six air quality stations in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) non-operational due to budget constraints, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) has failed to assess the health risks posed by deteriorating air quality in local communities. The state of the air quality stations were revealed in a parliamentary response to the Democratic Alliance's (DA) Hannah Lidgett, spokesperson on environmental affairs for KZN. The stations are located in Newcastle, Stanger, Ngwelezane, Port Shepstone, Pietermaritzburg, and Estcourt. Dr Bonginkosi Dlamini, chief director of environmental management for EDTEA, said there was a lack of budget to operate the stations in Newcastle and Stanger, while at the Ngwelezane and Estcourt stations there were no budget available to repair the instruments. He said at Port Shepstone, the instruments were beyond repair and the facility had become obsolete. Dlamini added a lack of budget and vandalisation of the Pietermaritzburg station had led to it being shut down. 'Some of the stations will be repaired following the 2025/2026 financial year, while others have been earmarked for the 2026/2027 financial year,' he added. He said due to the stations being shut down, the EDTEA relied on data from the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS) and its accompanying reports. 'The department has not assessed the health risks and impacts of poor air quality on communities. The assessments are part of the activities in the recently approved Air Quality Management Plan for KZN,' Dlamini said. Lidgett said it was alarming that the department had no data on the health impacts of poor air quality on communities. 'This collapse was allowed to happen under the neglectful eyes of the previous administration. What is particularly disturbing is that many communities across KZN are at the brunt of poor air quality and report significant health impacts. It is deeply concerning that former governments did not address the issue,' added Lidgett. She said it was also concerning that turnaround times to fix the stations were staggered. 'Adding to the concern, the department confirmed it had not commissioned any studies or assessments regarding the health impacts of poor air quality on communities. This historical neglect is in direct contradiction to their constitutional duty to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all residents of KZN. Instead, EDTEA stated that health impact assessments form part of future activities under the recently approved Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP). 'It is unacceptable that the provincial government remains unaware of the extent of harm caused by air pollution while simultaneously delaying meaningful intervention for years to come. Without data, there can be no accountability, and without accountability, communities will continue to suffer needlessly,' she said. Lidgett called on EDTEA to fast-track the urgent repair and recommissioning of the three air quality monitoring stations earmarked for remediation in this financial year. 'We also call for the immediate implementation of the AQMP which was approved in 2024, and a transparent implementation timeline for the AQMP with measurable deliverables. 'The department must begin interim community-level air quality assessments through mobile monitoring units, immediately initiate health risk studies in known pollution hotspots, and prioritise emergency repairs and recommissioning of existing stations in the 2024/25 adjustment budget,' she added. EDTEA's AQMP report indicated the gap and capacity analysis in the province, and revealed that the human resources capacity in KZN was limited and comprised one air quality officer and one environmental compliance officer. To adequately manage air quality, the AQMP stated that it was necessary to fill the vacant AQMP positions and expand the team. Proposed interventions in the plan included the investigation of the feasibility of renewable energy and mechanisms to regulate newly identified technologies; to develop and enforce emission reduction plans or measures for controlled emitters; and to identify any listed and controlled activities currently operating without emissions licences The management plan included health studies conducted in KZN. One study examined respiratory outcomes in association to ambient air quality among school children at primary schools located in two regions, which was the highly industrialised Durban south areas and non-industrialised Durban north areas. The outcome of the study indicated that poor respiratory health was more common in children from the Durban south region than from the north region. In the population-based sample, 32.1% of participants had asthma of some severity, 12.0% had persistent asthma, of which 4.0% had moderate to severe symptoms, and 7.8% had marked airway hyperreactivity. The south region participants were noted to have prevalent cases of severe symptoms of asthma. The results indicate that 12.2% of south region participants had moderate to severe persistent asthma compared to the northern region participants, which was 9.6%. The findings strongly suggested that the adverse respiratory symptoms had been increased by industrial pollution. THE POST
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Repairs to Mobeni Heights and Tongaat crematoriums to be fast-tracked
ETHEKWINI Mayor Cyril Xaba conducted a site visit to the Mobeni Heights Crematorium yesterday (Tuesday) to address the challenges plaguing the facility, and vowed to accelerate the repairs. On May 12, the crematorium was shut-down after the municipality had failed to renew the Air Emission Licence (AEL). At the time, eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, said the closure of the crematorium was based on the poor performance of the furnace due to the control unit malfunctioning. This impacted on the facility's ability to cremate within the parameters of the AEL, and the closure was enforced despite the AEL being valid until January 31, 2026. The high emissions posed an environmental health risk to the surrounding community. Xaba said to remedy the situation, the municipality has started the process of procuring two furnaces which would be installed by the end of August. He called for patience from the affected communities and vowed to monitor the repairs closely to ensure that the facility was back to its full operations. 'The municipality has allocated R14 million to repair the furnaces at the Mobeni Heights Crematorium and to give the entire facility a facelift,' he added. Sisilana said the upgrade of the crematorium was funded in the 2025/2026 financial year and would focus on the replacement of the furnace and a building upgrade of the 'pyramid' portion of the facility. 'Any changes would require permission from the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) and final approval by other role players,' she added. The crematorium has two furnaces, both of which are not operational. The upgrade would replace the oldest furnace with a locally manufactured and maintained unit. The new unit will comply with the latest legislation required to operate a crematorium. The second furnace that was commissioned in 2021 will undergo a refurbishment, including the control unit to latest industrial standards and norms to be fully compliant with all legislative requirements. Xaba said processes to repair the Tongaat Crematorium were also at an advanced stage as the municipality had reprioritized R7 million for the replacement of furnaces. 'We anticipate completing the work at the Tongaat Crematorium by the end of next month. While repairs are ongoing at these facilities, the municipality urges residents to use nearby crematoria,' Xaba added. The POST
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Understanding the Banks Act exemption: MEC Zondi's insights on Ithala
KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) MEC Reverend Musa Zondi. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) MEC Reverend Musa Zondi has discussed issues surrounding the Banks Act exemption and the banking licence and how these affect Ithala SOC Limited. Zondi discussed the two topics during a media briefing called by the KZN government, led by Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli. Ithala SOC Limited CEO Dr Thulani Vilakazi was also present. Zondi explained that there is a provision in the Banks Act for an exemption to be granted to certain institutions, such as Ithala SOC, to operate as a fully-fledged bank without having to acquire a banking licence. 'That has been the case from day one until the powers that be decided that they were no longer going to grant it,' Zondi said. 'Denying extending the exemption to Ithala SOC may as well cause an amendment to the Banks Act to do away with the exemption regime.' Zondi said they are making Ithala operational because they are working within the law governing the banks in South Africa. 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 ✕ He said he has been a parliamentarian since 1994, and from 1994, there has been a persistent call from parliamentarians that a state bank should be established. 'There has been no success to date. Ithala is the only, if you like, existing state bank which has been successful,' Zondi said. 'So why kill something that is already successful?' On Ithala's acquisition of a banking licence, Zondi explained that the reason they needed to acquire a banking licence is to comply with the current situation where the Prudential Authority has withdrawn the bank's ability to operate. 'As parliamentarians, when we drafted that Act we drafted it with state institutions like the land bank and others (in mind), will they need a commercial licence, do you need to privatise them. No, you don't need to privatise them and therefore that exemption clause was put in there,' Zondi said.
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Ithala CEO explains ongoing operations amidst court cases
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and Ithala SOC Limited CEO Dr Thulani Vilakazi during a media briefing in Durban. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers As Ithala SOC Limited continues its operations following a recent court ruling, CEO Dr Thulani Vilakazi has emphasised the bank's commitment to client engagement and transparency. Vilakazi was speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday hosted by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, alongside Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) MEC Reverend Musa Zondi. This is a few days after the Pietermaritzburg High court allowed Ithala to continue operations. Vilakazi said they were still being briefed by their legal advisers on the significance of the court decision. 'So for the better part of the weekend, that's what we dealt with.' Vilakazi said they are holding ongoing client and staff engagements. 'We have a number of ways of communicating with our customers. We have a call centre that is in vernacular, that is fully manned. We have also issued notices in both isiZulu and English. We continue to communicate with our clients and clarify for them,' Vilakazi explained. 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 ✕ He said their operations have been greatly affected. 'We also put up a plan for people to be able to pay. We also have a plan where we allow our customers to now pay into an account at a particular bank to receive these obligations on a monthly basis,' Vilakazi said. 'At the moment, you can come to our branch, you can get insurance advice, but you can't do OTC (over-the-counter services), we don't take deposits.' Vilakazi clarified that all deposits they had were legally collected up to December 15, 2023. Around the insolvency issue, Vilakazi said: 'I won't get into this because that's before the courts and the provisional liquidation case is not going to be held.' He said an institution is said to be insolvent when its current liabilities exceed its current assets. 'That's not our case, but I can't get into it because that matter is still going to be heard.' Ntuli shared experiences of some affected Ithala clients: A young KwaDukuza farmer Mhlengi Ngcobo's hydroponic farm faces closure due to a frozen Ithala account, preventing the purchase of essential agrochemicals and fertilisers. Crop spoilage forced him to dismantle ten tunnels and lay off five employees. Mrs Hlabisa in KwaNongoma received lobolo payments in her Ithala account for her daughter's wedding, which was planned for April 20. However, she has been unable to access these funds, causing distress during what should be a happy time. Mr Ntuli from uMlazi lost his job and had been using his Ithala savings to survive. Now, his funds are frozen, leaving him unable to provide food and meet his family's basic needs.
