67 Minutes in the Name of Madiba
Umgeni Water Staff and Board members roll
up their sleeves to make a difference to the
lives of the poor in our Province
Water for Growth and Sustainable Development
F
ormer President, Nelson Mandela, has through his words
and deeds become an international symbol of courage,
determination and reconciliation. International Nelson
Mandela Day is commemorated on 18th July. On this day
South Africans, and indeed others throughout the world, find and
implement creative ways and projects for 67 minutes that will make
a difference, albeit small, to humanity. The aim of the day, which
coincides with the former President’s 95th birthday this year, is to
embrace and emulate his values through acts of charity and kindness
for 67 minutes – which represents the 67 years he devoted to
fighting for freedom for all South Africans
On 18 July 2013, the Board, Executive and employees of Umgeni
Water were inspired to do more than just 67 minutes of
community service. Various community-based projects were
undertaken. The initiatives included fundraising, refurbishment of
community buildings and the sponsorship of groceries. Acitivities
were undertaken within the operational areas of four of Umgeni
Water’s Customers:
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Kwanyuswa and Chatsworth -eThekwini Metropolitan
Municipality
Kwa Sathane- ILembe District Municipality
Mjundu,Vulindlela, Ngwadini and Scottburgh-Ugu District
Municipality
Northdale-Msunduzi LM
Mandela Day in the Valley of Thousands Hills
arising from building dwellings on servitudes could involve
injury or death if a break occurs on a pipeline. The issue was
A community living in deep rural Valley of Thousand Hills became
raised because there have a few encroachments on servitudes
the beneficiaries of Mandela Day when, to their delight, Umgeni
owned by Umgeni Water and housing its infrastructure.
Water launched a humanitarian initiative that involved the fencing
and painting of the local Traditional Court, repairs to the local • The legislative difference (in terms of the Water Services Act)
between a water board, as a Water Services Provider, and
school and the provision of desperately needed school uniforms
municipality, as a Water Services Authority. A water board is a
and shoes to learners and food hampers to the community.
bulk supplier of water while a municipality purchases potable
water from a water board and, in turn, supplies it to consumers.
The initiative, part of Umgeni Water’s corporate social responsibility,
Payment for water has to be made by consumers because
was undertaken on Mandela Day, 18th July 2013, in the Kwamatsha
costs are involved in abstracting,
area in Kwanyuswa before a
public meeting took place at a The Mayor of Durban praised Umgeni treating, storing and supplying
water.
packed Kwamatsha Community
Water
for
its
Mandela
Day
initiative
and
•The progress being made by
Hall. The meeting was addressed
by Inkosi Z Ngcobo, the Chief said the humanitarian gesture was an the Government in increasing
communities’ access to safe
Executive of Umgeni Water, Cyril
drinking, especially in rural areas
Gamede, a member of the Board example for others to follow.
of Umgeni Water, Nompumelelo
The Mayor of Durban praised Umgeni Water for its Mandela
Chamane, and the Mayor of Durban, James Nxumalo.
The key messages that emerged from the speeches
that were presented at the hall were:
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The importance of conservation of water as a scarce resource
The impact of vandalism of water infrastructure on service
delivery. Hence, a strong appeal was made not to tamper with
or damage such infrastructure
The risks, both personal and to infrastructure, associated with
encroachment onto servitudes that house pipes carrying water
from dams to water treatment works and reservoirs. The risks
Day initiative and said the humanitarian gesture was an
example for others to follow. As a State-owned entity and
supplier of a vital commodity, Umgeni Water was delighted it
was able to provide assistance to the community and children
from the Mbhanana Primary School in line with its corporate
social responsibility.
Cars Washed for a Worthy Cause
Staff at Head Office held a successful carwash in the Executive
parking area for 67 minutes. The vehicles were washed for a nominal
fee of R40. . The funds raised will be used to purchase books for
children’s hospitals and homes located in Pietermaritzburg and
Durban. A total of R700 was collected This figure will be matched
by Umgeni Water as this project is considered to be a Corporate
Social Responsibility initiative.
Community upliftment at Kwa Sathane
Management and staff from Umgeni Water’s Northern Region
dedicated their 67 minutes to the late Mdu Ngcekwa. Mr Ngcekwa
had learnt of the Kwa Sathane community in the ILembe District
during a site visit, and was moved by the abject poverty present.
He had been previously involved in fundraising efforts for food and
clothing to assist this community. The North Coast team thought
that it would be a fitting tribute to his memory to assist the Kwa
Sathane community once more. The proceedings were attended
by the local ward councillor, community members, E. Bhengu
Operations
The community were provided with food hampers and winter
clothing. Pravesh Boodhoo, Area Manager, for the North, stated that:
‘‘In celebrating this special day, we are encouraged to take action,
inspire change and make every day going forward Mandela Day. To
this effect, we have decided to make a small difference to the lives
of the community of Kwa Sathane.’’
B
Brooklyn Heights Primary Warmed by
Umgeni Water’s Efforts
oard member, Visvin Reddy, donated 67 minutes of his
time to Brooklyn Heights Primary School in Chatsworth.
Brooklyn Heights Primary School is located in the Madiba
Informal settlement in Chatsworth. The crèche accommodates 52 kids, whose ages range from a
few months to 5 years. There are 4 caregivers on site. The facility
receives a subsidy from the Department of Social Development.
Each child is subsidized to an amount of R15 per day which equates
to a total of R15 600.00 per month. Most of the budget allocation
is utilised for food, the remaining amount is used for salaries and
equipment.
A large number of the school’s 750 learners come from extremely
impoverished homes. The school relies on the generosity of the
community and business to provide meals to the children. Umgeni
Water sponsored 750 lunch packs and 750 winter hats to the pupils
of the school. The Principal, Mr S. Moonsamy, stated that he was
overwhelmed by the gratitude of Umgeni Water and was thankful
that his school was chosen for this initiative.
Umgeni Water’s Executive and staff gave their time and personal
funds to refurbish the crèche building and to provide furniture and
equipment that were desperately needed. The entire crèche and
playground equipment received a new coat of paint. Amongst the
items donated, the children were most thankful for the chairs and
tables. The children were also treated to Macdonald Happy Meals.
Umgeni Water changes lives of children
attending 2 Creches in Ugu District
Nompucuko Mlaba, supervisor of the crèche, expressed
gratitude to the staff of Umgeni Water for their hard work
and donations that the crèche had received. She went on
to state that the contribution would have a positive impact
on the work that the crèche was doing in relation to early
childhood development.
The Mhlonhlweni Creche is 15 minutes away inland from Umkomaas.
The crèche is based in a deeply rural area. The access road to
the crèche is mainly gravel. This area does not have proper access
to basic services such as electricity and water. The community
receives water that is delivered either once a week or once every 2
weeks via a Tanker. The children attending the creche are from the
Mjundu,Vulindlela and Ngwadini areas.
that the staff present should be involved in projects of a
similar nature so that many more people could be assisted
in a similar manner.
Ikhayelihle Educare
Ikhaelihle Educare crèche is situated near Scottsburgh, approximately
5 kms from N2 Freeway. The crèche is situated in an urban area,
thus has access to both electricity and water supply. A total of 43
children attend the facility. The age group of the children is 2-6 years.
A subsidy is received from the Department of Social Development,
which amounts to R12 900. This amount barely covers the food,
salaries and equipment that is required for the crèche.
The facility was provided with mattresses, toys and linoleum
sheeting. The building and playground equipment were given a fresh
coat of paint. The Mayor of Umdoni Local Municipality, Councillor
SSI Khwela, was present at the handover ceremony. He thanked
the management and staff of Umgeni Water for their generosity.
Chief Executive, Cyril Gamede, expressed his appreciation to the
supervisor and her staff for the work that was being done for the
children in the area and stated that he was pleased that Umgeni
Water could assist them in this endeavour.
Senior Citizens receive the royal treatment from
Umgeni Water
Staff members from Engineering & Scientific Services and
Information & Communication Technology spent their 67
minutes at the Aryan Benevolent Old Age Home in Northdale,
Pietermartizburg. The facility is home to 32 frail senior citizens.
A large number of these residents have been abandoned by their
families.
Savouries of all kinds were prepared and shared with the residents.
Groceries were also purchased for use by the home. Staff of
Umgeni Water were humbled by their interaction with residents
who were filled with much excitement and gratitude for the love
that they had been shown.
Conclusion
Nelson Mandela once mentioned that “Deep down in
every human heart, there is mercy and generosity”. These
sentiments certainly hold true in relation to the manner
which Umgeni Water heeded the call to action in order to
uplift the lives of communities during Nelson Mandela Day.
Chief Executive, Cyril Gamede, said he was proud to be part
of Umgeni Water as much had been done to improve the
lives of the children attending the crèche, and he requested
Water for Growth and Sustainable Development
Water for Growth and Sustainable Development