BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ETHEKWINI, TERTIARY AND PRIVATE SECTORS

I have always been of the view that countries and cities which invest in tertiary education attain higher than average levels of human, social and economic development. Some six months ago I approached Professor Makgoba (Vice Chancellor of the University of Natal) to talk about ways in which we may build a strong partnership between the tertiary institutions, private sector and eThekwini municipality. All tertiary institutions and the Durban Chamber of Commerce were invited to a series of meetings to thrash out a Memorandum of Understanding which strives to ensure that these three sectors work collectively to build our city and province.

The EXCO of 25 March 2003 has agreed toa draft Memorandum where the parties agree on a variety of areas in which collaboration may occur:

Research and Development.
Human Resources
Knowledge Management
Other Areas of Collaboration, such as Economic Development; Health and Sanitation; Technology and Infrastructure; EnvironmentalManagement; Social Development.

The agreement is due to be signed early in April and it is hoped that it will form the basis for a growing partnership between the tertiary education institutions in our region, the private sector and the municipality.

KEY EXCO DECISIONS: 25 MARCH 2003

SALE BY PUBLIC TENDER OF A MINOR SHOPPING SITE: LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF ATHOL PARK PLACE AND QUILPALM AVENUE, SHASTRI PARK, PHOENIX NORTH: Approved

SALE BY PUBLIC TENDER OF A MINOR SHOPPING SITE: LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF MOORTON DRIVE AND MONEDA AVENUE, MOORTON, CHATSWORTH : Approved

RELOCATION OF UMHLANGA WORKS YARD/DEPOT: Approved additional expenditure of R736000.

TENDERS:
APPOINTMENT OF REINSURANCE BROKERS GENERAL INSURANCE FUND 2003/2004: Approved reappointment of Messrs. Thebe Hosken (Pty) ltd

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT REPORT - FEBRUARY 2003:Tabled and noted.

CHAIRPERSONS AND DEPUTY CHAIRPERSONS OF SUPPORT AND SUB COMMITTEES: Resolved to approve the set of committee and subcommittee chairs and deputes.

PROPOSED TARGETED PROCUREMENT POLICY: Adopted the document entitled Procurement Unit Proposal, Targeted Procurement Policy, February 2003, as the framework of the new Targeted Procurement Policy.

PROPOSAL : SALGA SAFER CITIES WORKSHOP : 16 APRIL 2003: eThekwini to host a one-day Safer Cities workshop.

VALUATION ROLL : GIS SPATIAL LAYER: Approved.

EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGED BY HEAVY SEAS IN MARCH: Approved that work be done on an emergency basis.

SASOL OIL DEVELOPMENT OF TAXI RANKS: The offer by Sasol was supported in principle.

ACQUISITION OF LAND AT PARADISE VALLEY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: Approved

ALLOCATIONS POLICY GOVERNING THE TRADING OPPORTUNITIES AND PERMITS TO INFORMAL TRADERS ON COUNCIL OWNED PROPERTIES: This was approved.

DRAFT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN ETHEKWINI, TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND CHAMBEROF COMMERCE: Approved.

POWER OF ATTORNEY TO THE PROVINCIAL HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO FINALISE SALE AGREEMENTS FOR THE TRANSFER OF HOUSES: Approved that a Power of Attorney be given by the City Manager to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Administration to conclude agreements of sale and sign Powers of Attorney to transfer in respect of all land which, by virtue of Section 4A (4)(a) of the KwaZulu-Natal Ingonyama TrustAct No.3 of 1994 vested in the eThekwini Municipality and which land is subject to the Discount Benefit Scheme.

APPLICATION TO LEASE KINGS PARK TENNIS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE: Approved that if possible a short-term leases be awarded to Umlazi Tennis academy.

DID YOU KNOW:

ELECTRICITY AND EQUITY: Shane Mahabeer(MahabeerH@elec.durban.gov.za) from Electricity is a placement officer for the Southern Light Association for the Blind and Deaf. He wrote to me and told me that he "recently managed to secure a training programme with the Director Human Resources at this service unit where Electricity will take on 6 handicapped people, in our case blind and deaf and train them on a 6 months basis. This is an ongoing process and I think is a big break through in getting the Equity Bill in place." Well done to Shane and Electricity!