Implementation of The Nersa Approved Electricity Tariff

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The Municipality will implement a change in tariffs for various service charges as well as implementing new payment methods such as Easy Pay and ways to access your statement on a monthly basis.

INCREASE IN TARIFFS:
The budgeted and approved increases for refuse, water, sewer and property rates is 7%. The final Nersa (National Energy Regulator of South Africa) approved tariffs for electricity is as follows:

The Municipality will be implementing the high season tariff for domestic conventional customers for the months of July, August and September and a low season tariff for the months from October to June. This in line with the regulatory body’s final approval letter.

The Municipality had budgeted a general increase of 9.4% for electricity however the Nersa approved tariffs range from 5.4% – 9.4%.

The increase relating to metered consumption i.e. water, electricity and sewer will be effected from 1 July 2016 and will be reflected on your August statement. We levy in arrears and therefore the consumption reflected on the August statement relates to the readings taken in the month of July hence the increase in tariffs for metered consumption being in August.

The increases relating to the fixed charges (basic electricity), property rates and refuse will be effected on 01 July 2016 and will be reflected on the July statement of account.

The Municipality will also be implementing a surcharge of 20 – 30% on water consumption above 20Kl as per the Government Gazette (number 39860 published on 24 March 2016). This surcharge will continue for the period until Kwa-zulu Natal is declared drought free meaning the Surcharge continue until we are no longer experiencing a drought.

Consumers are therefore encouraged to use water wisely and report leakages and faulty water meters immediately Water Department on 0860 144 144.

The effect of the above mentioned increases is shown in the example below:
Refer to excel spreadsheet.

ACCESSIBILITY OF MONTHLY STATEMENTS
Monthly statements are available from the 25th of every month. We acknowledge that customers maybe receiving their statements late from the post and in some cases after the due date. The South African Post Office is experiencing some problems and we as a Municipality will be in engaging with them to address the issues.

Customers can access their statements at the following platform:
• Access the Newcastle Municipality website
• Log onto our portal (e-Newcastle)
• Complete the registration details which will give you an option to have the statements emailed to you, click on this option and enter the relevant email address. You will then automatically receive your monthly statement via email.
• Should you not have an email address you may still register on the portal and you will be able to view your statement.

We are continuously developing new and innovative methods of improving our service delivery to the community and this is one of those methods. All consumers currently receive their monthly account via the sms system. Please assist us to ensure that we have your correct cellular number on our database.

You can contact the credit control unit or enquiries services on the following numbers to update your details:
• 034 328 7799/7679/7861/7860/7748
• 034 940 0440 (NICS)

METHODS OF PAYMENT
The community of Newcastle are able to make payment in the following manner:
• Cashiers at the Municipality
• First National Bank
• Online banking
• EasyPay

We are proud to have the EasyPay payment option available to the community. You will receive the EasyPay number( 20 digits number) on your monthly account or on the monthly sms notifying you of the amount owing on your account. Please note that the EasyPay number is different to the account number. The EasyPay number will not change monthly therefore customers are encouraged to store this number on their cell phones for easy reference when effecting payment at a participating stores.

The following are EasyPay participating outlets:
• Pick n Pay
• Checkers
• Shoprite
• Woolworths

PREPAID ELECTRICITY
Prepaid electricity will also attract the low and high season tariff and is increased at 7.64% across all blocks.

Prepaid electricity can be purchased at the following outlets:
• Cashiers at the Municipality
• Caltex garage ( Lennoxton)
• Caltex garage ( Barry Hertzog Park)
• Caltex garage (Kwamatukuza)
• Spar (Taxi City)
• EasyPay outlets as per above

International AIDS Conference Countdown

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HIVAIDS Testing

Five Days before the 21st International Aids Conference that will be held in KwaZulu – Natal ( Durban )as part of the build-up and promotion of the conference the Newcastle Municipality embarked on a count down through various activities to create awareness about the impact of HIV and AIDS.

Municipal Staff and the public were encouraged to wear black, white and red clothing, the official conference colours, to remember those affected by or living with HIV/Aids.

In support of the conference the Newcastle Municipality displayed posters, candles, balloons (red, white and black) in reception areas and strategic places. Voluntary HIV/AIDS Testing services were made available for the staff and public, condoms were also distributed on testing sites and on the streets. Red, white and black balloons were released at 12h15 for five minutes.

The Deputy Director General of Government Communication and Information System, Nebo Legoabe dubbed this conference the world cup of Aids and said that it’s the biggest event happening in South Africa. He also urged South Africans to treat it with paramount enthusiasm that it deserves.

“We’ve noted that most people are not aware of this thing happening. This count down will assist in sensitizing every South African making sure they are aware of the Conference “added Deputy Director

The conference is expected to attract close to 20 000 delegates from 183 countries. The United States has pledged R 6 billion to assist with South Africa’s anti-retroviral programme.

Join the AIDS 2016 Conference Countdown

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Government calls on members of the public, civil society, faith-based organisations, business and all sectors to join the five days countdown to the 21st International AIDS Conference to be held in Durban, says the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

The department said the countdown commemoration will be on Wednesday.

“The 21st International AIDS Conference, commonly known as AIDS2016, will be held from 18 to 22 July 2016 at the Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban under the theme ‘Access Equity Rights – Now’,” said the department.

It said more than 18 000 delegates comprising the world’s top scientists, civil society members and policymakers from 180 countries are expected to converge to discuss the fight against HIV and AIDS.

“All citizens are invited to wear black, white and red clothing, the official colours of the #AIDS2016 conference, and gather as groups from 12:00 – 12:30.

The department said the colour red symbolises awareness and support for those living with HIV and AIDS, and white symbolises a beacon of hope in the fight against HIV and AIDS, while black symbolises a symbol of honour and remembrance for all those who passed on due to the pandemic.
“Government also calls on motorists who will be on the roads at 12h15 to support the campaign by hooting for 5 minutes as a sign of support,” said the department.

For the full article kindly visit: http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/join-aids2016-countdown

2016 International AIDS Conference

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The 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) is only a few weeks away and will be hosted in our Province from the 18th to the 22nd of July 2016, under the Theme: Access Equity Rights Now. A call to action to everyone to work together towards reaching the people that still lack access to comprehensive treatment, prevention, care and support services for HIV and AIDS.

Access to action also refer to:

∙ A call to action to strengthen the commitment to HIV research evidence-based interventions.
∙ A call to action to all HIV stakeholders to unite and overcome injustices caused by violence and the exclusion of people on the basis of gender, class, race, nationality, age, geographic location, sexual orientation and HIV status.
∙ A call to action to repeal laws that infringe on people’s human rights and deny communities the ability to participate in the world as equals.
∙ Reminding us that all our gains will be lost if we do not continue to push forward and build a strong global movement to change the course of the epidemic.

South Africa’s Deputy President Mr. C. Ramaphosa in his capacity as the Chairperson of the South African National Aid Council (SANAC), will be leading the SA government delegation which will include SANAC, Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) Ministers and the civil society to the conference.

AIDS 2016 aims to reinvigorate the response to HIV and AIDS by:
a) Bringing together the world’s experts to advance knowledge about HIV, present new research findings, and promote and enhance scientific and community collaborations around the world;
b) Promoting HIV responses that are supported by and tailored to the needs of at risk populations or people living with HIV, including women and girls, men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, young people, and people who use drugs;
c) Promoting activism and community mobilization that holds leaders, industry, and governments accountable and increases their commitment to an evidence-based, human-rights-affirming HIV and AIDS response;
d) Advancing a clear agenda for HIV in a post-2015 framework, including the cross-cutting issues of criminalization, gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, rights, and stigma and discrimination that keep people living with HIV at the center of the HIV response; and
e) Building innovative partnerships with businesses, community, government, and science to strengthen HIV prevention and treatment efforts.

The Newcastle municipality will take part in the five-day count down to the Conference; commencing on the 13th of July 2016. Our involvement will be as follows:
a) The New Tower Block and Town Hall entrances will be branded.
b) The red (AIDS) ribbons will be distributed.
c) Voluntary HIV/AIDS testing service will be available with condom distributions (Tower Block – Murchison and Town Hall – Scott Street entrances).
d) All municipal employees are requested to wear black, red and white colours (the significance of the colours are as follows; BLACK – those who died from AIDS, RED – those who are infected and WHITE – those who are affected).
NOTE: The colours are not to discriminate in any nature. Wearing RED does not symbolize that you are infected and so forth. The colours signify that we are aware and are not apologetic about fighting against HIV/AIDS, WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE INFECTED!
e) Special Programmes together with Communications will be coordinating this programme. For more information please contact Special Programmes Manager; Mrs Samke Dube on 034 328 3435 / 082 818 9778

YOUR PARTICIPATION IS HIGHLY APPRECIATED.

2016 Municipal Elections

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BRIEF:

South Africa will this year hold its fifth municipal elections on Wednesday, 3 August 2016. President Jacob Zuma has declared 3 August 2016 a public holiday.

Government encourages all South Africans who are eligible to vote to exercise their right on 3 August 2016.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has 26 333 3535 million voters on the voters roll. This is approximately 77 percent of the eligible voting population.

The 2016 Municipal Elections are an opportunity for South Africans to have a direct say in who runs their community and ward. The councillors South Africans elect will serve on the town, city, metropolitan and district councils.

A vital part of any democracy is to guarantee that voting takes place in an atmosphere which is considered free and fair. Ensuring free and fair elections is the primary responsibility of the IEC. At the same time government has a major role to play in ensuring that citizens can safely and securely cast their vote. Government, through the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, continues to ensure that all measures are in place to ensure a safe and secure election.

Government will also not tolerate actions aimed at disrupting the elections or disenfranchising voters. Intimidation and violence have no place in our electoral space.

Mayor Afzul Rehman receives award for the Most Consistent Best Performing Mayor

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Congratulations to Mayor Afzul Rehman who recently received an award for the “Most Consistent Best Performing Mayor” in the Province of Kwazulu Natal .

Mayor Rehman receives his Most Consistent award from MEC of Cogta Mrs. Nomusa Dube-Ncube.

Newcastle 2

Youth Day Celebration 2016

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June 16, youth celebration event in the Amajuba District saw KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu accompanied by the whole KZN cabinet including the newly elected members of the legislature with KZN ANC Chairperson Sihle Zikalala who has been appointed as the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism gracing Newcastle.

The dignitaries started by visiting a memorial site on Asiphephe Road that was erected in memory of the 31 learners and four adults who were killed in a road accident involving a truck and a bus in April 1998 for wreath laying.

During his speech ,KZN Premier called on the newly appointed MEC for Transport Mxolisi Kaunda and MEC for Education Mthandeni Dlungwana to work together to intensify road safety campaigns to prevent the loss of young people as a result of road accidents in the Amajuba District and the whole of KwaZulu –Natal .

The entourage then moved to a Youth Day Celebration held at Amajuba FET College Stadium where District Mayor Cllr Jabu Khumalo and Newcastle Local Mayor Cllr Afzul Rehman welcomed the cabinet to this vibrant city.

Explaining the objectives of the event District Mayor highlighted that this programme was mainly to educate the youth of their history and the role played by young people in the struggle during the 1976 events

Addressing the youth Premier Willies Mchunu said that he is very concern about the high rate of HIV infection especially amongst young girls between the age of 15 and 24 and that the provincial government is investing towards health education and other youth empowerment programmes. He warned young boys and sugar daddies not to be world’s destroyers but urged them to protect women.

“Today we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of June 16, against the background of the 52nd Anniversary of the Rivonia Trial Verdict. We celebrate these landmarks in our history not because they were happy events, we do so because they represented turning points in the struggle for freedom and democracy. Today our youngsters have the freedom to choose whichever career path they want to embark on, they can chose which ever language they want to speak because of the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes who fought toe and nail for freedom” eluded the premier

He continued to say that government is committed to ensuring that programmes on skills and youth development are accessed by young people throughout all corners of this province, starting from the early childhood development. There has been a strong focus on scarce skills such as engineering, science and technology, accounting, information technology, agriculture, health and social services.

“Over the past five years provincial government has spent more than R1, 5 billion on bursaries awarded to disadvantage students. The accumulative number of students that have benefited from the bursary programme over the past five years is more than 7000,There were more than 2000 students from poor families who benefitted from financial support provided by the provincial government at a cost of more than R54 million since 2013 alone.” said KZN Premier

The number of graduates provincially is more than 8000 and some are still studying. The overall number of progressing students provincially has increased from 2,990 in 2014 to more than 3000 in 2015. For the centralized departments, more than 800 students have progressing since 2014. The budget to fund these students from 2014/2015 to 2015/2016 is more than R20 million.

 

2016 Youth Month

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2016 marks the 40th anniversary of the June 16 Soweto and other related uprisings. The Soweto uprising ended tragically with hundreds of young people brutally killed. This tragedy became a rallying point that inspired a nation and a people to rise up against the brutal apartheid system.

Following the advent of democracy in 1994, the new democratic government declared 16 June as National Youth Day and June as Youth Month.

This year National Youth Day and Youth Month will be celebrated under the theme: “Youth moving South Africa forward”. The theme is a call for action by a broad range of social partners who, in tandem with government, are moving South Africa forward. It also recognises the role that the youth of South Africa have played and are still playing in moving the country forward.

This year Youth Month also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the adoption of our Constitution.

The commemoration of Youth Month and Youth Day are opportunities to take stock of the strides we have made and a reminder of the challenges that still remain.

The commemoration of Youth Day is collaboration between the Department of Arts & Culture and the National Youth Development Agency, with strong support from various other government departments.

President Zuma has appointed an Inter-Ministerial Committee led by the Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe to lead the preparations for this momentous occasion.

16 Years of a democratic local government in South Africa

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The year 2016, marks 16 years of a democratic local government in South Africa where all municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal will reflect on the road travelled towards creating a better life for all citizens through provision of service delivery over the years.

Amajuba District Municipality and its local municipalities marked a momentous milestone as they mirrored on the 16 year journey of local government and its successes through the 16 years of local government celebrations.

Present to receive the flame from the UMzinyathi District Mayor Cllr Ngubane and his entourage of local Mayors was, Mayor of Amajuba DM Cllr Jabulile Khumalo and her local Mayors. The flame crisscrossed the district from the 5th-7th June 2016 with the aim of highlighting the key achievements of local government.

The first day of the 16 Years of Democratic Government Celebrations saw the flame visiting the Newcastle Municipality in the Amajuba District with focus on key projects implemented by the Municipality. It was taken to the newly tarred roads, play parks, best war rooms, newly built bridges, newly constructed legal mortuary and the housing for the disabled project.

Also present to witness this prestigious event with the NLM Mayor Cllr A.F Rehman was Deputy Minister Barbara Thompson, M.E.C for health and Sukuma Sakhe Amajuba District Champion, Dr Sbongiseni Dlomo, the Mayor of Amajuba DM Cllr JCN Jabulile Khumalo, NLM Councillors and senior government officials.

The flame was well accepted by the majority of people who have seen the good work done by this government whilst giving hope to those who are still waiting for more government services.

As we continued with highlighting the achievements of our democratic local government, day two took us to the people of Dannhauser who have seen the best of this government. This is the municipality which holds the record of being the first municipality to have 100% electricity infrastructure, the municipality with one of the fastest developing town. The flame was taken through projects such as one of the biggest sports complex – state of the art (Durnacol Sports Complex), Ramaphosa Housing Project, Sanitation Project in the Buffalo Flats areas, one of the highly rated clinics in South Africa, Nellies Farm Clinic.

The last day saw the flame travelling through the lovely valleys and mountains of Emadlangeni, Utrecht to authenticate that this government has touched even the lives of the people residing in the most deep rural areas. The celebrations took on a much different approach when the flame visited the most destitute communities to show government’s commitment in ensuring that people from there are also part of the service delivery plans.

“As much as there are people who are still living in poverty stricken areas , government has ensured that they have basic services such as electricity, water, roads, schools, healthcare etc.” Deputy Minister Barbara Thompson eluded when addressing the community of Emadlangeni

The flame went through the recently electrified Emgundeni area, the Balele Game Park owned by the municipality and the most exciting solar powered water reticulation systems and it was then handed-over in style to the Zulu-Land District Municipality who had MPL Jomo Sibiya representing them on behalf of the MEC Champion of the district.

Newcastle Municipality 30 percent water restriction.

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Following a Government Gazette No.38860 that was promulgated by KZN Provincial Government through the Department of Water and Sanitation concerning the latest drought situation in the province, a disappointing rainfall season and dams that are on average emptier than last year, the Newcastle Municipality aspires to update and notify the public concerning the current drought situation within our area.

The purpose of this press release is to ensure that the public is fully aware of the extent and gravity of the current prevailing drought conditions, and the possible ramifications for the Newcastle Municipality  as a whole, since the drought conditions seems to  persist indefinitely. Water restrictions are already in force in most parts of the country as the worst drought in decades tightens its grip

30% water restrictions were gazetted by the KZN provincial government on the 24th March 2016 and everyone must comply with this restriction until further notice. This implies that all sectors of the community; business and industries should therefore reduce their consumption also by 30% to secure continuous water supply from the current reserves throughout the drought period.

The Municipality humbly appeals and brings to the attention of the consumers that we all need to implement these restrictions. Ntshingwayo dam is currently (2016/05/09) sitting at 54% as compared to 79.5% during this time a year ago. At this stage water cut backs are unavoidable by all domestic; businesses and industries. Excessive use of water and car washing methods that use excessive water are condemned and discouraged.

RECOMMENDED WATER SAVING MEASURES
– All sectors should reduce water consumptions by 30% and limit the use to the absolutely essential in order to reduce excessive and unnecessary demands on a diminishing and scarce resource.
– The implementation of controlled water conservation and demand management measures by the authorities is already in place.
– NO washing of hard surfaces and lawn watering with portable water.
– Water losses should be reduced by fixing leaking taps, toilet cisterns and pipes and/or reporting leaking Municipal pipes to 0860 144 144.
– More austerity measures may be implemented by the Municipality should there be no reduction in water use and demand.

For enquiries, please contact Dr. PD Thabethe on Office Tel: 034 328 3300 or Cell: 082 788 8344
B.E. MSWANE
MUNICIPAL MANAGER