KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Nomusa Dube-Ncube has congratulated the EThekwini Metro on receiving the ‘Municipality of the Year Award’ at the African Utility Week Industry Awards in Cape Town recently. The MEC has expressed hope that this achievement will inspire other municipalities as they strive to excel at delivering quality services to their residents.
The award was given to EThekwini in recognition for one of its exceptional water and sanitation service delivery project where the lives of 500 000 residents living in informal settlements have been improved. Other finalists competing for the top prize were the City of Cape Town, Ekurhuleni Metro in Gauteng and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro in the Eastern Cape.
“This prestigious award repositions the City of Durban as a leading African tourist and convention destination. This unique recognition, particularly when our local government is celebrating 15 years of democracy, has done the entire provincial government very proud,” said Dube-Ncube.
These prestigious industry awards welcomed 700 of Africa’s most distinguished power and water industry professionals to recognise those service providers who represent a benchmark of excellence for the industry. Categories vary from Power Utility of the Year Award, Clean Energy Project of the Year to Municipality of the Year.
“EThekwini deserved this award by identifying the need to provide temporary ablution blocks to address the shortage of inadequate supply of water and sanitation services in informal settlements. In doing so, KZN’s only metro was being proactive and innovative,” said Dube-Ncube.
The municipality has designed communal ablution blocks, which are modified shipping containers, each fitted with two showers and a door for privacy, two flush toilets with doors, two hand basins and a small locked storeroom for cleaning supplies. Attached to each ablution block are basins for the washing of clothes.
“EThekwini is well within the mandate of its 2030 Vision to improve lives and lifestyles of its three-million citizens by addressing the shortage of inadequate supply of water and sanitation services at the many informal settlements that encircle the city,” said Dube-Ncube.
For more information contact:
KZN COGTA spokespersons
Lennox Mabaso
Cell: 082 884 2403
Msawakhe Mayisela
Cell: 060 966 4220
