The festive season and summer holidays are synonymous with excitement and it’s accompanied by lack of effective concentration. Danger and harm becomes imminent when people lose focus.  

This period becomes a challenge for the Traffic Department when pedestrians and drivers do not work harmoniously in following simple road safety rules. For this reason traffic officers, will be displaying their zero tolerance approach to ensure the safety of all road users. To make this season a joyous one, the public should make sure they are responsible and safe at all times and more vigilant.

The following precautions will save you from getting a traffic fine, a jail sentence or losing your life
Ensure that as a driver:
1. You carry the necessary documents (driver’s license, prdp as the case maybe)
2. Your vehicle documents are valid
3. The vehicle is roadworthy and you conduct regular inspections
4. You are in a sound and sober state when driving.
5. You have plenty rest.
6.  You are not distracted with communication devices or passengers.
7. You obey the rules of the road and be courteous at all times.
8. Apply the k53 driving standards like you did when you went for your driver license test.

as a pedestrian:
• Be highly visible at all times.
• Adhere to the road rules.
• Walk briskly and avoid being distracted when crossing the road.
• Look out for vehicles and other dangers.
• Be patient and courteous.

The Newcastle Municipality’s Traffic Department wishes you a merry Christmas and a safe and productive new YEAR.

The Newcastle Municipality embarked on a clean-up campaign today in an effort to cleanse the CBD area. The CBD Clean-up Campaign is aimed at increasing business and public confidence in the CBD. This campaign is the initial and immediate intervention of the many more such activities to come in the future. This campaign also seeks to address some of the social ills and service delivery issues identified by the municipality in certain parts of the CBD. It involves clean-up operations, addressing maintenance challenges such as potholes and the dilapidated informal economy infrastructure, bylaw enforcement, as well as an education drive to change and influence people’s attitudes and perceptions. This campaign is expected to run for six months to build consciousness amongst the general public, formal and the informal business sector.

The Newcastle CBD is the economic engine room for the town and needs to be developed and maintained in a manner that conveys itself to investors and business alike. In an effort to maintain our positive outlook of the CBD and reversing the perception from our stakeholders, that the effects of decentralisation of business could extensively harm the CBD. The Municipality has initiated a number of programmes to drive economic activity, which is characteristic of the Newcastle city centre. The Municipality has set out a plan to re-engineer and re-organise its resources to reduce the negative economic impact that will burden the CBD.

Newcastle Mayor getting his hands dirty at the launch of Newcastle’s clean-up campaign.

Newcastle CBD Clean up Campaign

The Meeting then proceeded to Newcastle taxi City where Department of health rendered wellness screening services to the community.

Newcastle Local Municipality is making significant strides in the fight against HIV infection and the socio-economic impacts of AIDS. The Special Programmes Unit of the Municipality has intensified interventions aimed at assisting individuals to change behaviours that render themselves, families and the community at large, vulnerable and susceptible to HIV infection. About 100 Local Aids Council members gathered at Newcastle Council Chamber on the 11th of November 2015 ahead of the World Aids Day, December 1.

In his opening remarks, Honorable Mayor AF Rehman commended Samke Dube and the Special Programmes Unit team for the hard work and excellent services they have rendered towards the fight against HIV/Aids and the establishment of War Rooms. “We should be able to identify and assist needy individuals, especially those on medication and ensure that they take their medication as prescribed. Newcastle Municipality does not want to help statistics but people. We should be able to say these are the people we have assisted, not numbers”, said Mayor Rehman.

Mayor AF Rehman and Samke Dube: Manager Special Programs.

Communities were also encouraged to make use of the sidewalks and gym facilities available at Play Parks around Newcastle to keep fit and healthy in order to make sure that sicknesses are manageable. Mayor Rehman also touched on the issue of unemployed and indicated that the Municipal Special Executive Committee will deal with unemployment to ensure that people have jobs.

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Newcastle Municipality is inviting applications for bursaries to students residing within the Newcastle Municipality area wishing to study at any Government recognized institution of higher learning in South Africa. The purpose of his funds is to provide financial assistance to the historically disadvantaged needy students to further their education.

FIELD OF STUDY : ANY
MINIMUM SELECTION REQUIREMENTS
• Grade 12
• Must be a Newcastle Resident
• Matriculated in Newcastle only

WHO CAN APPLY?
• People withing the age group designated as youth as per the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Number 108 of 1996
• Applicant registering to study at government recognised institution for any field of study
• Matriculants or academics who met the set requirements
• Preference will be given to applicants who excel accademically
• Previously disadvantaged individuals

The Bursay Provides : Once off Registration Assistance

THE FOLLOWING MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR APPLICATION
• Comprehensive CV
• Municipal bursary application form
• Certified copies of ID’s for both the applicant and parent as well as the latest results
• Guardian or parent’s proof of income
• A provisional letter of acceptance from your preferred institution
• Proof of residential address

The municipality reserves the right to confirm applicant confirmation of acceptance at institution of study. Kindly note the failure to attach the required documentaion will automatically disqualify your application.
Municipal bursary forms are obtainable from the following office:
Office No. F32 Newcastle Civic Centre as well as online at www.newcastle.gov.za. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Faxed or emailed applications will not be considered.
Applications should be forwarded to : Private Bag X6621, newcastle 2940 or alternatively hand delivered at Office F32, Newcastle Municipality.

Enquiry : Sibonelo Mitshali (Community Liason Officer – Office of The Mayor)
034 328 7777 or Suleman Vadwa (Administrative Officer – Office of the Mayor)

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