February 10
Siza saves the day for Umuzi
Umuzi Wethemba KwaJesu management, their board of directors, and the chairman Andrew Muir wish to express their sincere gratitude to SembCorp Siza Water.
This corporation has shown a keen interest in our compassionate ministry towards those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in our communities.
Umuzi is truly appreciative of their diverse support that has contributed to ensuring that Umuzi carried on with this very vital service regardless of the many fiscal challenges that have faced many NPOs in the recent past.
Sembcorp Siza water afforded Umuzi a Pima analyser in April 2011 at a total cost of R 60 000 and also sponsored the provision of three boxes of testing cassettes to cover for 300 clients valued at R13 000.
The R30 000 refurbishment of our park home office to create an extra counselling room increased the efficiency in HCT and CD4 Count Analysis due to suitable privacy.
Towards the end of last year Umuzi was at a point of near closure as the organization’s cash reserves were very low due to the economic downturn that compelled most of our international sponsors to discontinue funding provision.
Umuzi placed a request for more support through Sembcorp Siza Water CEO Shyam Misra and a very timely response of a donation amounting to R30 516 was extended to Umuzi towards payment of salaries for Umuzi’s HCT counsellors in the months of November and December 2011.
It is through the kind donations of this nature that Umuzi can continue to play this significant role of giving hope to those infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS scourge in our Municipality and beyond.
NANCY MUCHIRI
Project Manager, Umuzi Wethemba KwaJesu
Umhlali
*****
Thank you for a clean beach
Having moved to the area recently, we have been trying out all the beaches.
We have a three-year-old son who is crazy about the sea. A few weekends ago we went down to the big rock pool at Chakas Rock, the one in front of Chakas Cove.
The rock pool is really great and the shallow area in the pool is just perfect for our son. But the litter and the glass lying around was quite disgusting.
On Saturday morning, February 4, we decided to go down to the rock pool again, as we wanted to go and snorkel.
We were so pleasantly surprised at how clean it was. There were people (must have been residents in the area) cleaning up the beach.
Thank you to all of you who took the time and made the effort to clean up such a beautiful family beach.
RUSSELL WOLMAN
Sheffield beach
*****
Wrong background for the job?
I am sure I read your article on Mr Sibiya, new Director Technical services, correctly. He studied chemical engineering, which has nothing to do with municipal competencies like roads infrastructure and electricity. He does not have experience in local government.
We ask KDM to supply us with a comprehensive CV and work experience.
If he has worked for the private sector, which companies, and why has he opted for the public sector when private companies pay twice or three times more than local government?
If we have a mayor of Councillor Mthembu’s calibre and unsuitable directors, we are inviting incompetence. This has nothing to do with race but proper qualifications for a job that requires a person with qualifications in electricity or civil engineering.
IMATU, Ratepayers Association and opposition parties must take this appointment up with the province or national or public protector.
Civil engineers like Carlos Mendez must input in the structure of requirements and interviews so that we do not employ an engineer.
Imagine a municipality that employs a person who did taxation rather that public finance management, to be head of treasury or a land surveyor to be a town planner.
Can the Mayor respond to my concern without labelling me or accusing me of being anti-transformation? I am a ratepayer and believe Council should employ the most suitable and experienced people. Chemistry has nothing to do with service delivery in the municipality.
INGRID PERUMAL
Stanger Manor
*****
Seeking witnesses to accident
I am seeking witnesses for an accident that took place between a White Toyota Corolla and a Red Toyota Tazz on 30 November 2011 at 7:50 in the morning at the Umhlanga Rocks/Gateway onramp from M4 South.
If you did see this happen I implore you to contact me urgently, I would need an affidavit sent to my email to submit to the insurance.
Please email me on acinfo40@gmail.com with details.
AMANDA VAN DEVENTER
Desainagar
*****
Ordeal at Verulam licencing department
I recently accompanied an acquaintance to the Verulam Licensing Department, for a renewal of her driver’s license.
The ordeal began with inadequate parking facilities. I regretted my offer to accompany her, when seeing the endless queue, waiting for eye testing and application formalities.
There were more than 100 applicants in the queue, seating facilities were very limited and primitive, and so is the entire complex unsuitable for its purpose.
After joining another queue to effect payment, we finally left the premises three-and-a-half hours later.
For how much longer must the public, by merely following the law – at an expense – accept Verulam Licensing Department’s degrading facilities and treatment?
HUBERT BALZER
Umdloti
*****
Slalom driving to avoid potholes
KwaDukuza should not be taken lightly for being less than innovative, like the Courier using the potholes to keep beer on ice.
Valentines Day will see the infamous pothole used as a residential ‘cul-de-sac (dead-end) to keep wine on ice for that romantic evening. Palm trees with no branches – seems the trees were palmed-off.
Radyat Road (Circle Pre-Primary territories), Hill-Crescent Road (Oceanview) and many a KwaDukuza pothole-laden roads will see motorists perform slalom steering techniques trying to avoid bursting tyres and damaging suspensions before the hot premix tar arrives.
V PILLAY
KwaDukuza
*****
Theo finally got to Cape Town!
In early December your newspaper ran a story about the charity fund raiser I was doing, walk-running from Kozi Bay to Cape Town to raise funds and awareness for the Nomad African Trust, a charitable organization based in Cape Town.
I met up with one of your journalists, Michael, in Salt Rock in early December, for an interview and some photos. I would just like to say thank you so much for running the story. I have had fantastic feedback following the article and the trust has benefited immensely by the publicity in attracting new donors. I can happily report back that my mission finally ended in a success. I reached Sea Point in Cape Town on January 25, eight weeks after passing Salt Rock.
Thanks again for the support.
THEO BOSHOFF
Cape Town
We would like to thank you for the amazing article that you published on December 16, 2011, on Theo Boshoff, our “Man on a Mission” who was jogging from Kosi Bay to Cape Town to raise funds and awareness for our Trust and beneficiaries. His blog received amazing support from your article and we received 13 additional newsletter sign ups! You guys are stars! The exposure meant so much to us all.
I have attached a photo of him on arrival and one with his mom at Sea Point. He is back in Pretoria now and looking forward to getting his studies going… but keep an eye on the road… it would seem he is already planning another great journey!
Wishing you all a great year ahead.
SHANNON FLETCHER
Nomad African Trust Administrator
Somerset West
*****
Bronx Cheer for Top Gear
To my absolute horror I read in the Mercury recently, that the ‘powers that be’ in Durban are about to spend an obscene amount of money to bring the Top Gear team out. Why for heavens sake?
If there are sufficient funds to bring this load of banal trash here, then there are funds for things that actually do matter – homes, schools, roads etc, the list is endless.
Does anyone – I include the brain dead here – actually watch this trite, infantile, irresponsible, excremental trio performing ludicrous and frequently dangerous ‘stunts’ ?
The prospect of this display of lunacy coming to Durban, speaks volumes about what our local Government think of their people.
They should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.
SUE WOOLLAM
Ballito
*****
Thanks to Doc and team
Whenever one feels one is obliged to strongly communicate a vote of appreciation to an individual, one ponders how best this may be done. Buy them a bottle of alcoholic delight (but what is their preferred poison?) new tyre (s) for their Porsche or whatever.
In consequence, through the auspice of your paper, I’d prefer to draw attention to Dr. Riaan Venter, consulting urologist at Alberlito Hospital, together with his entire team, not least of all Dr.Paul Zeew his anesthesiologist, who regularly knocked me out but more important, brought me round.
In 2001, I’d been diagnosed with cancer, which received quarter yearly attention in Durban. Commuting proved onerous over time so as soon as Alberlito came on line, my GP referred me to Riaan “in whom I’m certain you’ll have great confidence”. How right he was.
Amazingly, he (Riaan) unlike so many others, doesn’t see himself as God’s 2 i/c. So approachable. He had his ups and downs with me or rather my carcass, empathetically keeping me fully in the picture throughout his entire program. What a relief to be told that after the better part of ten years he could presently find no vestige of growth. He’d won! Merely a case of monitoring from now on.
Point of all this is to voice a vote of appreciation and perhaps a bit of glory and say “Thanks” to him once again. To one and all, in my modest lay opinion if you’ve got a urological problem, can’t go very far wrong by putting yourself in Riaan Venter’s care. From one whose been there!
STAN PORTER
Blythedale Beach
*****
Thank you for hard work
I would like to thank the staff of KwaDukuza Municipality, namely Rajesh Pdurman, Siphiso Mzolo and their crew.
These guys responded speedily to a power failure in Sheffield Beach on Thursday February 2, working from 7pm to 5am the next morning to restore the electricity.
Thanks guys.
V. GOVENDER
Sheffield
*****
Thank you
Thank you Pick ‘n Pay, Jikelela Security and Umhlali Police. My cellphone was stolen at Pick ‘n Pay on January 24 in the afternoon at counter nine. Due to the quick response of Natasha, Marius and Freedom a picture was viewed of the suspect on the CCTV camera.
The centre’s manager Jani Scheepers – your security company Jikelela is outstanding. Mr Derrick Naidoo is director of this company. Thanks to Vernon and Xolani. To the constables who dealt with this case, you are truly amazing gentlemen.
The suspect came back on Friday January 27 and was arrested. He admitted he stole my phone and that it was at home. I have my sim card back and the phone will be returned later as it is in evidence as the court hearing is today 30 January.
To all those names not mentioned, you know who you are, keep up the fabulous work.
CHRISSIE JACKSON
Ballito
*****
