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Service Issue 79

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Service magazine addresses key issues related to government leadership and service delivery in South Africa.

S municipality THE

S municipality THE LIVEABLE CITY LOCAL GOVERNMENT: eThekwini Municipality derived from the Zulu word iTheku (bay or lagoon) Known as South Africa’s playground, eThekwini has a diversified economy that sets itself apart: a cosmopolitan city, a popular tourist destination, a mining metropolis and home of Africa’s busiest port. This is eThekwini, the economic powerhouse of KwaZulu-Natal. CITY VISION By 2030, eThekwini Municipality will enjoy the reputation of being Africa’s most caring and liveable city, where all citizens live in harmony. A liveable city is one where residents feel safe, socially connected in an environmentally sustainable location with access to affordable housing, public transport, equal employment opportunities, health, community services, leisure and culture. eThekwini’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) is informed by an eight-point strategy based on global, national, provincial and municipal imperatives that complement each other towards ensuring effective service delivery. POPULATION AND URBANISATION 2021: 3 176 000 (0.57% increase from 2020) 2020: 3 158 000 (0.41% increase from 2019) 2019: 3 145 000 (0.35% increase from 2018) 2018: 3 134 000 (0.77% increase from 2017) The average household size is 3.3 (provincial average is 3.8). Almost 30% of the population is under the age of 15 years and 63% under the age of 35. Furthermore, 8 802 households are headed by children (between ages 15 and 19), and 42.14% of households are headed by women. eTHEKWINI ECONOMY Provincial GDP contribution: R468-billion Main sectors: finance (22%), manufacturing (22%), community services (18%), trade (16%), transport (16%), construction (3%), electricity (2%) Exported products: motor vehicles, parts and accessories and basic iron and steel. Main export partner: Japan Imported products: motor vehicles, parts and accessories and basic chemicals Top importers: Germany and China ___ __ ___ __ ___ __ ___ __ ___ LOCATION The area of eThekwini is topographically hilly, with many gorges and ravines and no true coastal plain. It spans 2 559km 2 and borders three provincial districts, Ugu in the south, iLembe to the north and uMgungundlovu to the west. IHS Markit Regional Explorer Version 1750 ABOVE: The greatest population concentrations occur in the central and northern regions of eThekwini. The metro’s population is projected to increase to 4 164 503 by 2024. CLIMATE Average temperature (summer): 24°C Hot and humid summers Subtropical Average temperature (winter): 17°C Warm and dry winters Snow and frost-free Annual rainfall: 1 009 millimetres 22 | Service magazine

municipality S Executive Mayor: Cllr Mxolisi Thomas Kaunda BEST-PERFORMING METRO “The City will continue to accelerate service delivery by multiplying our efforts to usher in a better life for scores of people. We are appealing to our residents to bear with us and join us in making eThekwini a liveable city for all.” Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda on eThekwini Municipality being identified as the best-performing metro in the country by News24’s Out of Order Index. The index considers a range of factors including financial metrics and service delivery indicators. Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda’s turnaround strategy is said to be the winning factor. By Thami Magubane, October 2021 LEADERSHIP Executive Mayor: Cllr Mxolisi Thomas Kaunda (ANC) Deputy Mayor-elect: Diana Hoorzuk (ANC) Speaker: Weziwe Thusi (ANC) Chief Whip: Sibongiseni Mkhize (ANC) Diana Hoorzuk rebuilding by business. It is positive to note that the commodity boom is lifting national growth with good agricultural output and growth in precious metals. [At time of going to press] The City’s Economic Recovery and Shared Growth Path 2022-2027 is in draft form, in response to Durban’s stagnant economic growth and will be presented to the Economic Development and Planning Cluster soon. ABOVE: Average annual GDP growth [National, KwaZulu- Natal, eThekwini]. The eThekwini Municipality is an employer of choice, committed to creating development opportunities for employees, with excellent working conditions and competitive salary packages. _____ _____ _____ __________ 2021 SA MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS KwaZulu-Natal • ANC 42.02% • DA 25.62% • EFF 10.48% POVERTY AND INEQUALITY An astounding 2.1-million residents live below the upperbound poverty line (R1 227 per person per month). A total of 16.8% of the population are uneducated while 5.8% have a higher education qualification. A large proportion (25%) of the population lives in informal, often unserviced settlements. Despite being the province’s economic backbone and a major roleplayer in the national economy, unemployment rates are high and there is a high rate of income inequality (Gini coefficient of 0.62). Informal trade is a rapidly growing feature of the South Durban Basin economy. In priority areas, street traders have been provided with trading facilities with the plan for more to be made available in areas set aside for informal trade as part of the ongoing regeneration of the area. CURRENT SNAPSHOT eThekwini’s economy is forecasted to grow at under 5% this year [2021/22] but this is an optimistic forecast. Globally, vaccine access has emerged as the primary dividing factor of economic recovery. The looting [2021] has been devastating to the progress made by the economy and a significant drive is required to rebuild the city with a net economic impact of -R12.8-billion. The city has been proactive in responses to assist business post the unrest, having set up a One Stop Centre with a range of concessions to encourage GROWTH STRATEGY The metro has identified 22 key catalytic projects with a total investment value of R276-billion that can contribute to the City’s strategic objectives including the Automotive Supply Park, Avoca Nodal Development, Cornubia, Dube Trade Port, Point Waterfront, Inyaninga, Bridge City Development, Rivertown Precinct, Oceans uMhlanga, Ntshongweni Development and the Sibaya Coastal Precinct. ABOVE: Sectoral composition of eThekwini’s GDP: broad + sectors [2018]. PANDEMIC PROPORTIONS eThekwini and its neighbouring District of iLembe contribute the highest number of Covid-19 cases provincially. eThekwini is recognised by the World Bank’s Competitive Cities Programme as one of the best-practice cities for its economic response to the global pandemic. Service magazine | 23

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