Durban's sewage crisis threatens sailing events. Wastewater flows into storm drains along the Durban Harbour from Margaret Mncadi Avenue (previously known as Victoria Embankment)
Image: Luke Wagner
eThekwini City Manager Musa Mbhele is delusional when he says Durban is not collapsing, that it is “transformation” (Daily News, May 25).
Meanwhile suburbs are without water for weeks on end; without power for days on end. Where more than half our piped water leaks away into the ground and into blocked drains that cause flooding and mayhem. All without any apology or explanation.
Polluted seas, unkempt parks and public spaces where by-laws are flouted, a grimy, broken CBD and inner suburbs where vagrants, homeless and Wonga gangs live on filthy pavements without access to toilets or water.
No street light globes or water meters in stock. No meter reading, no accurate consolidated billing, no outstanding debt identification or revenue collecting. No idea, no plan, no care.
Criminals and petty thieves walk unlit streets while Durban Metro vehicles are double- and triple-parked outside Steers and Spur on Florida Road.
A Town Planning department in disarray – where it seems cash in brown paper envelopes changes hands before anything happens? Durban Tourism staffed by Pollyanna clones on Valium.
A yacht mole clogged with pollution and debris, a road and pavement network where unfilled trenches and potholes are left open for weeks. Where pavements are tarred over a week before they’re dug up again.
Where municipal staff and councillors owe millions and government departments billions more. Where the only reaction is to increase the rates and utility charges rather than employ honest and qualified executives and leaders who can turn the ship around.
R2500 for a R100 bag of samp? Really? R3,5 billion demanded for new vehicles? R22 million for statues of heroes. Really?
R280 million for soup kitchens taken off hard-pressed Ratepayers who already pay PAYE, Vat, fuel & plastic bag levies, tariffs and taxes for social welfare? Really?
uShaka, the ICC and Moses Mabhida chew through multi-billions in cash subsidies when they should be contributing millions to the city.
Where so many Durban Transport bus routes are run virtually empty and where Go! Durban has cost billions and is still not operational.
Pull the other one, Mr City Manager. We don’t believe you.
Elections are coming and we’re coming for you. | Mark Lowe Durban
On Saturday, I and watched a very troubling video on WhatsApp sounding a scary warning to foreigners, urging those who are willing to leave South Africa peacefully and return to their countries to do so now, because no one can predict what will happen on June 30.
Judging from the language, attire and outward appearance, this announcement is coming from KZN.
The person in the video thanks those foreigners who have shown understanding of the precarious conditions in South Africa, and their understanding that the root cause of the problem is not about hatred for people, but about fighting for their country, which is being forcefully taken from them.
He goes on to say that those who are not willing to return to their countries, must go and live with Ramaphosa in his house and in Malema’s house – who see nothing wrong with foreigners living in South Africa, where they can do all sorts of harm.
“No one can predict what will happen on June 30,” he repeats.
One thing all of us should bear in mind is that, in any war, there are no outright winners, only victims. But the instigators, always survive unscathed, with no losses to their families and their livelihoods.
Look at Gaza, where Palestinians were almost wiped out, with Netanyawu and Israelis becoming emboldened bullies, joining hands with Trump to attack Iran.
Putin, eager to lend a helping hand to Iran as he has found Zelensky and his country to be an easy target.
And now Africans, eager to emulate their white “masters” want to embark on a black-on-black, all-African states war against South Africa.
What do they hope to achieve? To inherit South Africa and start fighting among themselves to determine who will rule their conquered country?
It is nice to dream. | Cometh Dube- Makholwa
The deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda, which has already claimed many lives, is deeply alarming.
Poor infrastructure – damaged roads, limited hospitals and clinics – extreme poverty, certain cultural rituals, the hunting of wild meat as a matter of necessity rather than luxury, and disinformation or misunderstanding surrounding Ebola are making it incredibly difficult to contain the disease and provide help to those who need it most.
The situation has become even more challenging owing to cuts in US foreign aid and the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organisation, which has weakened international support for the Ebola response.
Many academics believe that this crisis is not only a public health emergency, but is also one made worse by political decisions and global inequality.
In times like these, the world must come together with compassion, unity, and urgent support to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further loss of life.
Behind every number are humans, communities, and futures that deserve hope, dignity, and care. | MOHAMED SAEED Pietermaritzburg
DAILY NEWS