HOD Majola Attends to Service Delivery Challenges in Ward 56 Under eThekwini Metro

Article and images by Sibongile Dlangalala

 

HOD Majola during a face-to-face engagement with the community of Inanda Township during the Operation Sukuma Sakhe Cabinet Day

 

ETHEKWINI: On Wednesday 06 March 2024 the Head of Department for KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works, Mr Siboniso Majola descended in Ward 56 in Inanda township, north-west of Durban.

The visit forms part of the Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) and the District Development Model (DDM) which is a government initiative which seeks to create a continuous interaction between government and communities in order to fast track service delivery.

The first stop was at the Ngoqokazi Community Hall where a Community Engagement was held.  Members of the community were afforded a platform to vocalise their challenges and in turn receive responses from the relevant government departments. HOD Majola urged the community to work together with government in order for OSS to be a success.

                                           

 

The second phase of the programme saw the official handover of resources and work aids to local Cooperatives (Co-ops) so that they are able to ply their trade without any hindrances.

Sewing machines, gardening tools and gas stoves were donated to these Co-ops, coupled with sets of uniforms presented to the Community Policing Forum (CPF) which is tasked with a responsibility to confront criminal activities in the area.

In a quest to improve societal conditions, the government continues to address challenges facing communities through cooperative interaction.

 

KZN Public Works Reaches Out To Emerging Contractors In Nongoma

NONGOMA: On Thursday, 29 February 2024 the KZN Department of Public Works embarked on, yet another province-wide emerging contactor outreach programme, with its first chapter targeting the Zululand District.
This time around, a holistic approach taken by the Department seeks to address challenges facing emerging contractors on a daily basis, especially when it comes to correct filling of bid documents, updating information on the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and Eyesizwe Contractor Development Programme database.

Contractors who attended a programme held at the KZN Department of Transport offices in Nongoma believe that, such an intervention will address challenges which tend to hinder the proper functionality of emerging contractors. On the other hand, it will have a positive impact towards service delivery in the province.

Representing the Corobrik Public Sector Sales unit, Mr S’bu Ngwane shared information on production processes designed for different types of products offer by the company. His presentation touched on various types of bricks and their suitability when it comes to different building and paving project specifications.

Singing from the same hymn book, Corobrik Building Training Centre representative, Mr Aviwe Busuku practically demonstrated the industrially compliant use of Corobrik material with appropriate tools for the job, adding that:

“The relevant training centre has a mandate to empower contractors with skills required to meet the tremendously skyrocketing demand for housing and social infrastructure,” he concluded.

Deputy Director: Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), Mr Musa Ngubane appreciated a contribution made by Corobrik as a critical stakeholder and also assured contractors of more training programmes in the pipeline.

Story and images by Siyathuthuka Mthembu

 

A Progressive Disability Application Roll Out Session held in uMzinyathi District

On Wednesday 28 February 2024, the second leg of the ongoing Departmental programme dubbed, the District Disability Application (APP) Rollout overlapped to the Umzinyathi District.

Such a strategic intervention is being carried out under the guidance of the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Mr Sipho “KK” Nkosi who remains committed to service delivery.

The programme is specifically designed to cater for the Disability Sector. It comes at a time when technological advancements have become the order of the day in a competitive global spectrum.

The APP which is currently being rolled out in phases is set to ensure that, the Disabled people gain uninterrupted access to internet packages and related technological advancements directly allied to the APP.

Ms Thando Dlamini assisting delegates to login on the APP
The Lecture Hall located at the Department of Public Works’ uMzinyathi District Office was packed to the rafters, with delegates from the Local Municipalities such as uMvoti, Msinga, Endumeni and Nquthu in attendance.

Director: Youth, Women, People with Disabilities and Military Veterans Ms Delisiwe Mncube highlighted the importance of the APP. She also demonstrated how the APP works while ensuring the audience that, upon successful registration – everyone will be able to gain access to useful information and work related opportunities which are retrievable from this particular form of an APP.

District Director: uMzinyathi District Office, Mr Dumisani Mqadi welcomed everyone and expressed his appreciation for this great initiative which will benefit the people of uMzinyathi. He was followed by Mr Linda Mhlongo, a representative from the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) who made a detailed presentation on the Disability APP Functionality, APP signing up and registration demonstration.

Everyone was eager to learn how this APP works and participated productively during lengthy discussions and engagement session. The Chairperson of the uMzinyathi District Disability Sector Forum Mr S Jaca expressed a word of appreciation on behalf of all delegates present. The Department has an obligation to stretch such programmes to other district municipalities across the province.

Up and Close with a seasoned Architect, Dr Gichia as he Exits the Department

The recently outgone Chief Professional: Professional Services Dr Stanley Gichia

This up and close edition features one of our well-respected Chief Professional, Dr Stanley Gichia who is an Architect by profession. He was officially due for retirement on the 29 February 2024 after serving in the KZN Department of Public Works for 15 years. Our dedicated Newsflash Paparazzi, Hlengiwe Mkhize had a rare privilege of directly interacting with him.

Dr Gichia hails from the slopes of Mount Kenya in a city called Mombasa. According to him, this is where he attended his Primary and High School education back in the days before pursuing his tertiary education with the University of Nairobi where he obtained a Bachelor Degree in Architecture (B. Arch) in 1985.


As a qualified Architect, from October 1985 to May 1996, he was employed by the then National Department of Public Works, now Ministry of Public Works in Nairobi, Kenya. He later joined the Harare-based Zimbabwean Public Ministry of Construction and Housing where he served as an Architect for 5 years.


In August 2001, he enrolled for a Master’s Degree with the Wits University. He continued his journey to Botswana where and worked at the University of Botswana as an Architecture Lecturer for two-and-a-half years. From 2008 to 2018, he was appointed by the former Public Works Department, now KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works in the capacity of an Architect in the Southern Region. In April 2019, the occupational upward mobility stepladder elevated him to the position of a Chief Architect located in the Head Office, Pietermaritzburg. In 2014, Dr Gichia was appointed as a Chief Architect responsible for the then Major Projects Management component, now dubbed the Professional Services Directorate. From 2015 to February 2024, his career trajectory landed him in the position of a Chief Professional: Professional Services in which he served all the way to his retirement, as he officially exited the system in February 2024.

Dr Stanley Gichia saying goodbye to his Personal Assistant Ms Nontobeko Gcabashe

According to him, he enjoyed his tenure with the Department and confessed to have reached a significant milestone in his academic career, citing professional growth and reputable academic credentials as fundamental highlights of his memorable journey with the Department.

By extension, such notable developments boosted his prowess to develop an Internship Programme for Architects which has, to date, seen atleast 20 of them being registered as Professional Architects. Dr Gichia, a seasoned Architect says as he leaves the Department, a looming Departmental skills development training programme in the pipeline. He states that, the programme is aimed at equipping recruits within the relevant sector with skills on how to manage budget, develop impressive high quality infrastructure and new structural procedures which include conflict and anger management. This also includes establishment of an Architectural Design Office which will be launched in due course.

He alluded to the fact that, an Architect never resigns as he intends to render his services when a need arises in the field of academic research in Universities and related academic institutions.

Article and Images by Hlengiwe Dlamini

Disability Application Rollout Paves a Way to Economic Development Opportunities for the Sector

Disability Application Rollout Paves a Way to Economic Development Opportunities for the Sector

Above: Ms Delisile Mncube; Director; Youth, Women and People with Disabilities and her team assisting attendees to download the Disability App using their mobile phones

ETHEKWINI: On Monday 26 February 2024 the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works initiated its District-Based Disability Application (APP) Rollout.

This comes after a formal programme held at the Archie Gumede Conference Centre in Mayville, west of Durban.

The technologically-advanced Disability APP which was launched in November 2022 is designed to assist people with disabilities to ease their day-to-day interaction with each other, as well as with other sectors of society, including commerce and the public sector supply chain management environment.

The district rollout sessions will ensure registration of disability sector members using their smart mobile phones and laptops to access the following opportunities:

- Skills Development
- Formal Employment
- Bidding Opportunities
- Contractor Training Intervention
- Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Job Creation Interventions
- Access to Opportunities on Land and Government Facilities Disposal.

A series of rollout sessions will proceed to other District Municipalities which include Ilembe, uMzinyathi, Ugu, uMgungundlovu, Amajuba, uThukela, Zululand and King Cetshwayo.

It must be placed on record that, Government remains committed in ensuring that, the Disability Sector enjoys equal rights for all, thus promoting inclusivity on economic opportunities as enshrined in the country's Constitution.

 

 

Article and Images by Sibongile Dlangalala

Message from the MEC


 

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