Dannhauser community had an opportunity to talk money matters with the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Finance, Ms Belinda Scott, who descended on the area to officially launch a series of Pre-Budget Roadshows in the province.
MEC Scott reminded a fully-packed KwaMdakane Community Hall that “We are bringing money matters to the community of Dannhauser because we believe that together we can create a brighter future for all our citizens by making smart choices,” said MEC Scott.
She continued that “We have one vision: encapsulated in the National Development Plan and the Provincial Growth and Development Plan. It is all about growth and expanding output and incomes to build a more inclusive and more equal society. We will not achieve this if we continue on our current economic road.”
In line with the National and Provincial Development and Growth Plans most of the KZN government money will go to: Education (approximately 41%), Health (about 32%), Transport (about 9%), said the MEC.
People from all walks of life of Amajuba District were reminded that waste and corruption in the current administration would not be tolerated.
“The government will deliver more services with less money – by being more efficient, for instant infrastructure grants will be linked more tightly to the efficient delivery of capital projects in municipalities,” said Scott.
She said municipalities are at the core of service delivery hence the provincial government is helping them to delivery services by paying for the rates and services delivered to the people they serve. People and business sector were also reminded to do the right thing by paying their municipal dues.
“The total debt owed to municipalities at the end of the fourth quarter of the 2013/14 financial year was R10.1 billion. Our municipalities must also implement more effective debt collection strategies and policies. But let us not wait for them before we do the right thing: to pay for the services we have used. More than half of the households have not paid for the services delivered to them. Business owe close to 30% to municipalities.
“Business fraternity was also reminded to give citizens a “fair deal” when they are in business with government. “Do not ‘milk’ government with excessive prices. Give government Value for money. Let us all look after government’s money - our money. Let’s report fraud and corruption. Do right even when nobody is looking” said Scott.
A total of 166 infrastructure projects at a cost of R134 436 million have been allocated in Amajuba District for the 2014/15 financial year. These include: New infrastructure at four schools in Amajuba District Municipality, 22 projects at a cost of R48 907 million by the Department of Health, and 8 periodic and recurrent road maintenance projects by the Department of Transport.
The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs may receive approximately R85 million more for Small Town Rehabilitation for 2014/15. This is in addition to the R20 million already allocated for this. Dannhauser is one of six municipalities who will be benefitting from this. The money will be used to upgrade infrastructure in the industrial area, i.e. the installation of water and sewer lines on the sites.
Speaking on behalf of the Dannhauser Local Municipality, Cllr, Mthetheleli Ngidi said that the municipality learned a lot from this engagement with the communities “as the municipality we always interact with communities on issues of our municipal budget, but this engagement enriched us with more skills on how we can improve on engaging our communities. We also appreciate to hear the MEC for Finance encouraging people to pay municipality rates, which assist us as the municipality to fast-track service delivery.
Spending wisely towards and during the festive season was also highly emphasised. “Today we are not here only to talk about the money that Government spends but also about the money in your pocket. While the amounts may differ, all money principles are the same: whether it is your own money or someone else’s money” said MEC Scott.
The local Traditional Leader, iNkosi, James Nkosi, said that “With mining sector deteriorating in the area, this town has become a ghost town with high unemployment rate. However we are delighted to hear about the government plan to rehabilitate our small town. Our community including myself benefited immensely from this visit as we were enlightened on money matters. I hope my people took note of this financial awareness, and going forward they will be cautious in their spending as they were advised by MEC who spoke strongly to us about spending wisely this coming festive season and to avoid credit at all costs”.
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