ZBRRA

……………

 

I intend signing up for the security fund but never get around to doing it. I’m in Zinkwazi on the weekend so please collar me then !

 

…………..

I paid for beams inside and outside the house, I built a high outside
front wall, I put in palisade fencing around my double property. I am paying
for a response company, and now for yet additional neighbourhood security?
Is there no solution in finding a company that would look after the village
as an entirety ( the US type example, as I understand it) and also does
individual units so we don’t pay for the same thing twice ?

 

……………..

 

I contribute to the Security Fund annually but maybe you need to look at a
rate for permanent and holiday homes, as the holiday home owners are paying
at home for security on top of the Zinkwazi fund. This could encourage
owners to contribute - from my personal experience back in Pmb it is an
ongoing battle
Maybe if you ask Alpha to be able to meet ladies coming back from a book
club or night out to meet the person at their gate, and try sell this to the
permanent residents as a benefit?
Some quick thoughts

 

………………

 

Thank you for your message.
I have 2 comments:
1. A system based on the goodwill of the people only is proned to failure.
2. People have to commit themselves: A mail should be sent to them to ask
them clearly to declare if they support or not the security fund. Then you
will see if you have enough membes or if you have to raise the subs.
3. A proper system of payment must be put in place. I am the first one to
forget to pay my subs because I do not receive an invoice or whatever name
the document can have. Warrior send me an invoice and I file it and pay it
in due course by internet banking. The security fund should do the same. We
need to have a paper for our books.

 

……………

 

Wendy, why is it that so few people in the village are contributing? This is clearly a nonsense as they are all benefitting and there should be a contribution from all the households. I truly am appalled at the low level of contribution you have said exists and suggest that something else needs to be thought of to get this up as clearly there is a withholding of funds but an appreciation of the service !
Shame and name is one method, include as a special rate and tax etc.

 

……..

 

I will be coming back on as subscribers with effect August. We are delighted at the new development and would in particular like to thank James and Richard for the hard work making the transition.

 

…………..

 

Many thanks to the Zinkwazi Neighbourhood Watch, for all your hard work and achievements these past months in endevouring to make our village a safe place to live and holiday. I have a few coments to make to the other home owners, which perhaps you could pass on for me…thanks.

 

“Reading your report this morning, I was initially disappointed, at the poor response of the other home owners, and now writing this email, the disappointment has turned to anger! We all are in this together and why should all the other 80% benefit from the few that are contributing regularly to the fund. Everybody is feeling the pinch financially at present, and yet a few have managed to continue their contributions. COME ON GUYS, WHO CAN HONESTLY SAY THEY CANNOT AFFORD A R100 OR EVEN R50 A MONTH, WHICH COULD SAVE A LIFE ???? To all those owners who have holiday homes like us, do we really think it’s fair that a hand full of people should be taking all the responsibility for the safety of our investments…? I believe that we are very fortunate to be in a position to have a second home, and I do not believe that spending a R100 a month on our security, is going to kill anyone’s budget, so PLEASE, won’t you give it your consideration and contribute to our Zinkwazi Neighbourhood Watch, which is for every home owners benefit.”

 

………………

 

 

 

I do contribute to ZNW each month and would be extremely upset if the good work is not continued.

Having said that, I don’t believe that this is the way to resolve the problem.

It is too easy for people to ignore this and hope that others will step forward.

Your team needs to contact each of the 312 households and sign them up!

Make it easy for people to sign up - if they say yes you do the rest.

You might consider "naming and shaming" those that choose not to contribute after such a call.

Are you familiar with the legislation which allows one to arbitrarily levy households provided you have a certain percentage of the community in agreement?

They are City Improvement Districts - see http://www.joburgcentral.co.za/about.php - I think you might find this relevant.

 

………………

 

 

I am appalled at the lack of concern and apathy in the village over security, for the very small amount of R100 pm. Regrettably one has to have an incident to realize how important it is to deflect criminals elsewhere and I can only hope if we have such an incident is not tragic. Having been hijacked in the area and experienced what could have been a really nasty incident, I can only reiterate that for this peace of mind and security, its pathetic.

 

I worked out that we need, providing for increases in costs etc about R18 000 pm which means 180 contributors and we have 72 currently. Clearly if all contributed , 384 would mean only R47pm - is there no other way you can raise this more formally than the current voluntary method?

 

My limited experience in ‘ fund raising ‘ is that you really have to knock on each door literally with form in hand to get a yes or no - hard work but it tends to get a response rather than the apathetic approach that we suffer from in RSA of "well the others can do it".

 

I for one being a non resident but homeowner for 19 years would be prepared to increase my payment but have a problem with subsidizing 312 homeowners, a large proportion of whom I am sure are permanents! In the meanwhile am depositing 3 months pending resolution.

 

………………..

 

I will contribute, please send details. I want you to know that I am already paying a LOT of money for security in Zinkwazi and this additional cost becomes quite an irritation!

 

…………..

We will definitely continue our membership and will make payment as soon as we return at the end of August – Ciao

 

…………

 

Only a pleasure -why not for such a lovely place and thank you for everything that you do - it does not go un noticed - it must be very difficult to get people on board now during these difficult economic times especially those bods that do not live he

 

……………

 

Dear Fellow Residents of ZB,

 

I fear minimal response to emails & phone calls – perhaps the “absent landlords” need to be visited in person, every single one, when they are in ZB to get them to sign debit orders.

Local Community Board outside the shop can be used to thank people (photos of people & properties) who do contribute, with blanks for those who default.

 

So I do not foresee a short-term positive response of sufficient magnitude.

 

 

Removing or losing pro-active security is so stupid that I would like to know what each would need to pay – it might be feasible.

 

I await a constructive response to a constructive idea.

…………………

 

 

The response to the March and August updated appeals were extremely disappointing.

 

The ZNW has 72 members who contribute either monthly or annually and we are very grateful to them for their much needed support, but it is not sufficient to maintain the current levels of Community security and safety which we enjoy.

 

There are approximately 384 dwellings (complexes are counted as 1) in Zinkwazi but only 72 (19%) contribute to the safety and security which we enjoy. We desperately need to get more of if not all of the 312 non - contributing people to join the ZNW and contribute to the costs of keeping Zinkwazi safe and crime free.

 

Alpha Security was employed nine months ago by the ZNW and during this period incidences of crime have been reduced to single figures, in fact to date (19^th) of August we have not had one incident of crime in our village this month. This has to be a record in any community in South Africa today.

 

Unlike the reaction units presently operating in Zinkwazi, who in their own way are making a definite contribution to the fight against crime, Alpha Security are a PROACTIVE security company operating foot patrols in the village, patrol and monitor the electric fence around the village. They have uncovered all kinds of suspect activities, and have made a huge impact in the fight against crime as the impressive statistics over the past nine months show.

The ZNW is an independent stand alone entity with its own constitution and has no affiliations with any other organizations in Zinkwazi. ZNW have contracted Alpha to provide Community Security, whereas individual’s

security companies only provide a service once the crime has been committed!

 

A security service does not come for nothing. Alpha has to be paid. We have sufficient funds to pay Alpha for August; we do not have enough money to pay them for September. To be able to retain Alpha we need another 95 households to contribute just R100 per month.

 

The consequences of our not being able to meet our obligations due to a lack of funding are;

·        The discontinuation of Alpha’s services, which implies, no more security presence and foot patrols in the village, and no more monitoring of the electric fence.

·        The deactivation of the electric fence which was erected with donations from the community.

·        The discontinuation of the camera surveillance at the entrance to the village.

·        The dissolution of the Zinkwazi Neighbourhood Watch Association.

Should we be unable to acquire the necessary funding, our community will regress into a crime hotspot and a paradise for criminals and the carefree days and peaceful nights which we are currently enjoying will come to an end, which will

lead to lesser safety to walk and exercise in the village, and will also have a negative effect on house letting and property values.

 

Should you wish to respond positively to this appeal and join the ZNW, please complete the attached information form , and return it to : info@zbrra.org or fax to: 032-485-3764

 

Should you wish to have more information relating to the ZNW Association, how it operates, details of the current funding shortfall, what your money is spent on or the crime statistics in the village, please contact any of the committee members on the numbers listed:-

 

 

 

                            

 

 

 

 

 

19^th August 08 

Dear member,

Our quiet village, steeped in warm winter sunshine, is a sanctuary of peace and comfort…….However this is all threatened if we are not more successful in raising funds for the Neighbourhood watch.

Social “Response”-ability is being tested in Zinkwazi.

Next month, due to lack of response to an appeal for funding, we may have to bid farewell to the familiar sight of ALPHA security men and their patrol vehicle on our streets at night. .Without increased funding the maintenance of the electric fence that controls pedestrian movement into the village is under threat and the cameras at the entrance will be dismantled. The quiet streets and empty houses of Zinkwazi may well attract all sorts of undesirables after dark and we are under serious threat that crime will escalate to previous levels – four times the present level! It seems that most of our residents do not value the protection that has been afforded us by the few for the many. 80% of our village are not responding. We thank the 20% who appreciate the “Community Safety” The Newly formed NW committee together with ZBRRA are exploring all avenues to preserve as much of the current system as possible but without further funds the future is not looking good.

 

Spoken for are plans for beach restoration. In a nutshell the following changes are planned. The beach ablutions are to be removed and rebuilt in the existing car park. This was as a result of findings that soil borne pathogens are prevalent near sewage outlets and could be harmful. Two additional access points to the beach will be created from the car park in the form of steps to the centre and south. Improved lighting of the car park will be on shorter, less intrusive posts. A boom gate will be re-instated to control traffic to the car park. Since the present beach parking may only be marginally increased in size, the access road to the beach parking on Seagull will be re-tarred with provision for angled parking alongside. In addition the east verges of Nkwazi drive to the south and the north of Seagull will be surfaced for parking in peak season. Special protection of Eskom and Ilembe installations is ensured. And all of this by December?

 

You may have seen mention in the press of the proposed 400 unit development on the south bank of the Nonoti River, south of Zinkwazi. ZBRRA have registered with KDMunicipality as an interested party so as to be informed. We have no say however as to whether the 470ha development goes ahead or not – it is a fait accompli. 

The existing 380 dwellings will be replaced by 400, 80 square meter homesteads, a community hall, primary school and crèche facility. The applicant I read ‘intends to provide water by means of ground water extraction and to utilise a self contained recyclable sewerage disposal system for all units’ I understand from a conversation with Simon Bundy, of KDM, that all environmental issues are a priority and wetlands and forest areas will be protected. If you would like more info on this please email me, and I will send you the background info.

 

Coast Care is to be restructured. All precincts of the coastline from Ballito to Zinkwazi found the previous project frustrating. Teams of staff, funded by KZN Wildlife, and managed by the municipality to clean up beaches were left unsupervised. Their brief to clean the beaches did not extend into the coastal bush or access servitudes. As a result, any debris in the close environs was bypassed.   Our recommendation at subsequent meetings is that the project be privatised, staff be trained in the removal of alien plants in admiralty areas, staff employment contract include the cleaning in admiralty bush, access routes to the beach, and along the coastline. We look forward to dealing with an enthusiastic competent group of workers in future. 

 

August is Service month at KDM. As one headline read ……‘What happened to the other 11’ . We are promised that the backlog of services un-delivered will be addressed this month. I have submitted our needs which, by the way, did not include the tarring of a perfectly good stretch of Glen.   Ilembe, and not KDM are responsible for the present activity on Magai drive where they have re-laid a plastic water reticulation pipe under the tar. On the subject of Ilembe, it appears that we are not the only ones disheartened in our dealings with them. Ongoing promises of resolving their water reticulation problems and capping old sewage lines in Nkwazi have not been delivered  

 

Premier Waste, Mandini, will be installing bins for the recyclable refuse this week. We have chosen to place the installations at the soccer field against the walls of the municipal yard. Separate containers will hold discarded paper and cardboard. Another will take all manner of plastic and a third will hold tins. We hope to get a glass recycling bin installed also. 

Another environmental initiave which is progressing steadily for the benefit of the village is our AIP project.   Thandeka and Ernest have cleared several properties in Nkwazi and Glen of mountains of category 1,2 and 3 plants. They are busy on a very steep property in Eagle place at present.   Please feel free to visit them on site and to learn what your property may have which is detrimental to the environment. I would encourage anyone with a vacant property to optimise on the trained staff we have available, at cost, to clear your land and to distribute seed of suitable trees and shrubs. It’s most encouraging to hear what was achieved at Mtunzini over five years of co-operation with their environmental project under Mike Butler.

 

Another new venture for ZBRRA is the take-over of the second hand book stall from RAZ. When RAZ closed, Francine Brauckmann very graciously offered us the little enterprise she had established, at a table in the local convenience store. Please support the exchange – either by purchasing or donating books.   Margo Thiel at 11 Nkwazi drive, Margaret Crossman of 5 Glen and Wendy Perkins of 5 Nkwazi are drop off points for your unwanted books.

 

The dormant Zinkwazi Conservancy is being revived on Saturday 23^rd August. Under the supervision of our Environmental portfolio manager, Klaus Achtzehn, a group of interested and informed guests will meet at Lagoon Lodge. This will be the inaugural meeting. If you know of anyone who may wish to be involved and who would like to play an active roll in this venture, please advise me. Some exciting opportunities to learn from experts will present themselves in excursions to identify and mark trees and trails in the bush. Our admiralty bush and the well preserved bush on neighbour’s farms will fall into this conservancy.

 

Freedom from the NPA brought me good news last week while we inspected the untidy entrance to the village. Not only has he promised immediate attention to the cleaning and clearing of the verges to facilitate pedestrian traffic into Zinkwazi, but he announced with confidence that the stretch of road from Darnall to Zinkwazi – the P403 - is to be resurfaced by December. He expressly asked me to apologise for the inconvenience this might cause. I noticed this morning that a large number of staff were slashing grass on the steep banks on either side of the P403. I have also been assured of farmers along this stretch that any alien invader plants remaining after the NPA have completed their clearing, will be removed.

 

Congratulations to Cliff Hatt of Glen drive. He has twice had his photographs published in the North Coast Courier. He entered the Courier/Whysalls 2008 photography competition. We hope his magnificent entry ‘Dawn Scapes’ and the previous scene of driftwood on Zinkwazi beach will win him the CPC 80 spotting scope – it sounds like a good tool - useful for his birding hobby. 

 

Kingsley and Gill Holgate, Ross and Anneline have returned from their travels circumventing the coast of Africa. Gill has promised to write us a page on some aspect of her trip. I fully understand the need to sort out a mountain of business on her return to the beach house – so it may take time. What a shame they missed the hippo swimming at their beach. The bush we cleared next to their home in Magai drive is looking lush with indigenous trees. This was our AIP pilot project. Only the dry skeletons of castor oil bush stand silhouette against the sky.

 

A shocking attack on Kurt Rencken took place in the early hours of Saturday 2nd August while he worked in his office at the Chicken farm near by. Kurt believes that the manner in which the attackers entered his premises indicated that they were familiar with the surroundings.   The armed gunmen left him shaken and badly beaten up.  

 

The Ski Boat club have delicious inexpensive dinners planned for all Friday nights in the future. If the last is anything to go by, I will certainly be there. We had succulent Portuguese chicken for R40 – cheap enough to take children too. Half our meal was taken home in a doggie bag. The club profits fund several needy causes in the area so please support them and have fun getting to know each other

 

I had a phone call from Althea Gilbanks of Panorama on 6^th August. She was on her way to Durban when she noticed a whale close to the main beach. In fact she was concerned as it looked as if it could be within the protected area of the nets. I traced Dylan, our Sharks board rep who immediately launched his team to sea to ensure all was well. He explained that the 5 shark nets which are suspended along our coast from the main bathing beach to boiling pots in the north are staggered allowing for free movement of fish and dolphins at intervals. All the nets are dotted with sensors which repel dolphins. 50 meters further out to sea from the shark nets and suspended 5 meters below the surface are two tubular cylinders with sensors which alarm whales when they approach the shark nets. Whales leave the cold southern ocean in June and July, moved up to the warm waters of Mozambique and Madagascar. Here they give birth from August to October. They are normally sighted on their return journey along our coast with a youngster in tow – so do look out for them.

 

In ending I would like to thank those of you who responded to my request for payment of overdue membership fees. We have only two more months to this financial year. I am fully aware of the difficult financial situation of most households, but like the need to maintain security, we need to top-up what is provided by the local authority so as to maintain what we consider an acceptable standard in our village. This comes at a price. A major part of my day is spent cajoling the KDM to spend time on our issues – issues understandably lower on their priority list than graveyards, tap water and township toilets. 

 

Good Wishes and happy whale watching

Wendy

 

 

 

 

 

Present: E Wium, T Brauckmann, Cnl Pakkies, R Hofmeyr, N Wallace and W Balcomb

Apologies: E Halcomb, T Werner, L Bezuidenhout.

 

Welcome by E Wium acting as Chairperson thanked T B for the use of his home as a venue.

Agreed that Councillor Pakkies should be the chairperson. In her absence the chair would be filled by E Wium as acting chairperson until a full committee was established and an election held. In the interim EW proposed as Chairperson by N Wallace and seconded by R Hofmeyr.

 

Resignation were received and accepted from E Halcomb, W Bezuidenhout, T Werner, and T Brauckmann (to take effect at the end of the meeting)

 

Clr Pakkies suggested that until a full committeeis elected, W Balcomb act as the second ward rep along with E Wium. Nominated by N Wallace and seconded by R Hofmeyr.  It was agreed that vacancies on the committee should be filled with committed representatives from the Ski Boat Club and Security and other parties who have expertise in the area’s we have openings. It was pointed out by Terry, that the Clr was allowed to appoint people and that is why it is better to approach the right people for the portfolio’s prior to elections.

Suitable candidates are to be approached before the next meeting. Their selection is to be discussed by Cnl Pakkies with Madame Speaker V Luthuli.

It was agreed that representation should also be from the Business, Local Community, Youth, and Conservation bodies.

 

In order to facilitate the functions of the two ward reps it was decided to create portfolios which would be allocated to each ward rep to administer. They in turn would have the assistance of members of the ward committee in carrying out their mandate.

Civils – roads, servitudes, storm water drains, signage. W B and R H

Parks and Grounds – public areas, verges, admiralty WB and RH

Beach Issues and Coast Care – WB and rep from Ski Boat Club + 1 other

Conservancy and Estuarine management – WB and N W + EW

Security – WB and rep from the Security committee.+ EW

Water - EW + NW

Business – EW + 1 other

Community projects – RH + EW

Tourism – EW + 1 other

IDP – WB + RH

 

An effective means of communication necessary.  The ZBRRA website address to be made know as ward and community issues are posted on this for all to read.

A comprehensive data base to be compiled from ZBRRA, Ward, Security, Letting and Estate Agents necessary. This would be made available to any association with community issues at heart but not for distribution but available on request to ward committee in writing. WB to approach agent M Prain and request that her staff compile the collective data base

Notice Board.  The existing ZBRRA notice board at the Mini Mall was found to cause a bottle neck at the shop door. This is to be moved to beside the existing ward board at the car parking. WB requested that part of the board to allocated to uniform, post card size community adverts. Zinkwazi business would in this way have some exposure. WB and Margo Thiel to manage the boards.Neil to approach Gordon for key to ward board.

 

Letter drafted by N W to Ilembe was approved. It was agreed that Ilembe should be given an ultimatum to attend a meeting at which all the ward committee and the technical staff of Ilembe be present to address the unresolved issues of reticulation and to outline proposals of their action plan and to explain the future proposed upgrade of the system. Meeting to be held with in 2 weeks.

EW explained that she had been told that water from the Tugela would be available by pipeline to Zinkwazi from 2011.

 

The application for amendment of plans in the N. C Courier was as a result of a KDM technical error related to density of the complex. E W stated that her concern was for the availability of sufficient water for yet another development. R Hofmeyr explained that ZBRRA had registered as an interested party, expressed concern about some issues including water. The questions raised had been satisfactorily answered and the issues under discussion were resolved.

It was suggested that the newly founded Security Fund committee engage a dynamic PRO to encourage residents to contribute to the fund and to handle ongoing fundraising

 

W B reported that the reps from Ski boat club, Ward and ZBRRA and Di Jones an environmentalist met with Hantie Plomp who has been tasked by Carlos Mendes to compile a wish list from Zinkwazi. The collective ideas were put to KDM and were approved. Hantie’s comprehensive minutes are available in our website.

Their promise to start by December problematic since holiday makers will be in the village. WB to request work cease over the holiday period. Immediate attention be given to the dangerous tarred precipice which has developed overhanging the beach.

Suggested that once beach restoration iscomplete we could work towards Blue Flag status.

 

Council Pakkies suggested that WB attend the first IDP meeting at 10am on wed 27^th August. Thereafter to assess if they are of benefit to our community and to select from the literature which meetings are relevant to our area.

 

Coast Care to be restructured. Staff to be trained and their mandate will be extend into admiralty and servitudes to beach. Proposed privatization of the management of staff yet undecided.

 

It was agreed that all the committee and the Security committee meet with Mr Phiri the deputy director of technical services in KDM to express concerns related to New Year in the village. R Hofmeyr to arrange the meeting. Access, security and improved amenities such as toilets, water and bins to be on the agenda.

 

The environmental work done to eradicate alien plants has progressed well under ZBRRA supervision. Access to property owners contact details has delayed completion of work. W B to contact Mava Mtanta of Town Planning to suggest that KDM contact owners of the badly affected properties to insist they clear their properties of category 1,2 and 3 alien plants or suggest they contact ZBRRA to facilitate this.

 

Pam Govender is handing this. E Wium informed that the tender is to go out in three weeks. It was agreed to endorse the future lease of the Mini Mall to E Wium and C du Bernard jointly.

 

The next ward sub-committee meeting will be held at the beginning of October.

T Brauckmann offered his home as a venue for future meetings

 

The meeting closed at 20H00

 

 

Present: E Wium, T Brauckmann, Cnl Pakkies, R Hofmeyr, N Wallace and W Balcomb

Apologies: E Halcomb, Proud

 

Welcome by E Wium acting as Chairperson thanked T B for the use of his home as a venue

 

Resignation of Frances Barnard noted.

Cnl Pakkies requested a signed hard copy of resignation.

 NW to ask F B  to reconsider her resignation as she was a valued member of the ward committee.

 

An effective means of communication necessary. 

Ward reps, Ski Boat club and ZBRRA to collectively share requests from the general public on their concerns. 

A comprehensive data base is necessary whereby information from ward and ZBRRA can be sent to community. 

Resolved ZBRRA willing to share its data base.

 N W to request Frances do the same in the interests of the village. 

ZBRRA to establish a section on their website : www.zbrra.org to display resolutions taken at ward meetings  for public access

Engela offered to have a suggestion box at her shop.

Cnl Pakkies stressed that one member of the ward should attend monthly IDP meetings. WB agreeable.

 

Engela outlined the responsibility of Umgeni and that of Ilembe. 

Umgeni was congratulated in its effective management at all levels. 

Mr Gerald Jacks in particular had been very proactive in managing the upgradeof the old infrastructure of pumps and meters etc. 

Umgeni had also offered to replace all the pipes (incl reticulation pipes) in the village on behalf of Ilembe. 

Ilembe’s ineffective management was a source of frustration. Despite continuous hollow promises to address the outdated system and a substantial loss of water and therefore revenue through leaking pipes and meters, Ilembe were still not motivated to address the problem.  

Rob Hofmeyr was requested to assist EW draft a letter to Ilembe. Should Zinkwazi’s complaints not be addressed the help of the Public Protector would be sought. 

NW will contact the Umgeni Project Engineering division head in Pietermaritzburg to see if there was anyway they could assist in getting Illembe to approve Umgeni Water involvement in restructuring the reticulation system.

 

NW explained that he had had discussions with James Gilleran and TW regarding taking over the Financial management of the Neighbourhood Watch now that TW and family were leaving Zinkwazi. The ZBRRA accounting system can easily set up a separate “co” and handle this. This had been agreed in principal with details to be worked out when TW was back in Village. EW to be involved in this as her network of customers is essential for the fund raising needed.

Further discussions were underway lead by James Gilleran to establish a business plan for the neighborhood watch and to incorporate a separate committee of experts and involved parties to run the neighborhood watch as a separate and independent unit

 

After a meeting with Hantjie Plomb, it is understood that Beach Restoration is on track and will be dealt with.

The Coast Care project is to be redefined and improved. Funds are available from DEAT and controlled by KZN Wildlife to keep the beaches clean. Contracts are to be awarded to handle beach restoration and cleaning, the removal of alien weeds and rehabilitation of the dune forest, the maintenance of servitudes. Local labour to be engaged and trained to this end.

WB to communicate with Alex for more detail on this project. 

EW suggested WB and Eve Halcomb liaise with Alex re possible assistance with training of staff for the project.

RH suggested that ZBRRA’s environmental officer could assist in this.

 

EW noted that Nkwazi drive is so congested on 1^st Jan that vehicles come to a standstill. 

In the interests of personal safety and security it is necessary to limit the number of vehicles which come into the village on that day.

Suggestions were:

That pedestrians alight at the entrance and walk to the beach

That a limited number of taxis be permitted to transport commuters Black Rock park and back.

That only local taxis, that normally serve Zinkwazi be used for this

Servitudes be monitored by guards for safety reasons

That local residents or resident visitors get a disc to permit their entry

Local residents be involved in the clean up of beaches on 2^nd Jan

The above measures would:-

Allow the SAPS to patrol the roads with the possible involvement of Alpha

Give access to BRPark for water tankers to replenish supply of drinking water.

Give access to emergency services

Cnllr Pakkies suggested that Mr Phiri be consulted on his return from sick leave on the above

 

 

RH complimented Billy for the ongoing effective removal of household and garden refuse.

Builders rubble on verges still a problem. 

EW to review the by-laws governing verges

Alien vegetation on public places such as verges not attended to by KDM. 

ZBRRA have made a start in clearing alien invaders from one public area on the ridge and several private properties. It is hoped that KDM will accept their involvement in tacking the parks as a project to upgrade the village.

Black Rock Park casurinas are to be removed slowly and to replaced by indigenous trees. To be discussed with Alex

Ongoing maintenance of servitude necessary. KDM Civils dept responsible for erosion and hard structures

TB suggested that surrounding property owners be encouraged to take authority over their adjacent servitude. 

 

Cuppa Cancer

TB asked for support in advertising a fundraiser at his home for cancer on Wednesday 16^th July. It would be in the form of a social tea party which would be throughout the day. 

 

The meeting closed at 20H00

Meetings would be held monthly and the date to be decided on later

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those present were

 

Dave Clewlow Rob Hofmeyr Marion Hofmeyr Pete Saville Siga Surimuthu Selva Sadivellu Neil Wallace Klaus Achtzehn Ragne Achtzehn

Fokko Fokkens Don Cowie Ian Crother Heather Edwards Cliff Hatt Richard Penn Sawers Lynne Thompson Jean Lindsay James Gilleran Wendy Balcomb

 

 

 

 

Saturday 23^rd August 2008

Raffia Restaurant – Lagoon Lodge – Zinkwazi

 

Present. 

David Clewlow (Ithuba Estates), Fokko Fokkens (Blythedale Conservancy), Richard Penn Sawerss (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife), Peter Saville (CCF Trust), Siga Saurimuthu + Selva Sadivellu (Tongaat Hulett), Lynne Thompson (WESSA), Jean Lindsay (KZNCA), James Gilleran (ZNW),

ZBRRA: Rob Hofmeyr, Neil Wallace, Klaus Achtzehn, Wendy Balcomb

RESIDENTS: Don Cowie, Ian Crowther, Heather Edwards, Cliff Hatt, Marion Hofmeyr, Ragne Achtzehn,

Apologies: Ryan Dematheis, Jasper Pons, Bruce Tucker, Margo Thiel, Truman Buthelezi, Dymock Brett.

 

Klaus Achtzehn welcomed the guests to the first meeting to revive the dormant Zinkwazi Conservancy.

He gave a history of the conservancy – the first coastal conservancy in the country - which had been initiated by the Zinkwazi Health Committee. It was funded by the Health Committee and when local farmers joined they contributed to its funding. The area which started around Zinkwazi only, eventually stretched from the Nonoti in the south to the Tugela in the north. After Kwadukuza Municipality took over from the local authorities funding ceased and over time the conservancy was reduced to a few farmers. Management of the game guards became a problem and operations stopped.

R70,000-00 remains in the fund and additional funding is also available from CCF for approved projects and from KZN Wildlife and other sources.

 

The following projects were suggested for the new committee.

·      AIP – the removal of alien invader plants was already under way on private property at owners cost under the supervision of ZBRRA. This should be under the direction and overall control of the Conservancy.

·      Development of an Estuarine Management Plan – All stakeholders to be involved. The guidelines as set out in the management guide edited by Duncan Hay for the Water Research commission and discussed at the public meeting held by ZBRRA at the Darnal CC on the 12^th Dec 2007 forms a good basis on which to develop a plan.. Findings in a report done 25 years ago were still relevant but very outdated   Coast Watch are overworked at present with the damage from high seas but could be consulted later on for their input

·      Beach Restoration - Repair to the facilities at the beach and the stabilization of the dunes were to be undertaken by KDM. The admiralty reserve is the responsibility of KDM. The conservancy to monitor the state of the coastline generally.

·      Zulu Roots Eco Group. Some local conservationists had defined how best to preserve assets in the Zinkwazi area. Methods on how to develop these for financial viability through tourism should be investigated. 

o       Birding and Walking trails. Our local birding route has been incorporated into the Zululand Bird Route. Suitable areas for birding and access to these areas need to be discussed. Bird guide training.

o       Funding to be sought from Ilembe to improve the local habitat.

 

·      Re-cycling in Zinkwazi has already been initiated by ZBRRA but could be a conservation project.

 

It was agreed to thrash out a business plan at a subsequent meeting.

A narrow focus on a few objectives would be more successful than a shotgun approach on the many possibilities.

Fokko is to look into oyster licensing. 

Lynne Thompson stressed the need to involve the local authority through the councilor and to incorporate projects which educate or benefit in some manner the local community - ie arbour day, environmental day, weed buster week

Jean Lindsay confirmed our membership status of KZNCA. Wendy to follow up to ensure membership fees were paid up .

Richard Penn Sawers promised full support from Ezemvelo.

All stakeholders agreed to participate in the process.

The well recognised conservancy sign of a guinea fowl to be upgraded at entrance to village.

Ongoing communication encouraged through ZBRRA website, distribution of literature on environmental issues to educate people.

The Conservancy has an existing constitution, this together with membership and adminstration to be discussed by the new committee

 

All participants agreed to meet again.

Darnall Club conference room - Tuesday 2^nd October at 10am

 

 

 

 

Neil Wallace, ZBRRA Chairman welcomes guest and thanks Klaus Achtzehn, manager of the Natural Environment portfolio and owner of Lagoon Lodge for organising and hosting the revival meeting

 

 

 

 

Invited guests from Left to Right:

Fokko Fokkens, Rob Hofmeyr, Dave Clewlow, Neil Wallace, Selva Sadivellu, Siga Saurimuthu, Don Cowie, and Ian Crowther.

 

 

 

 

Cliff Hatt, Heather Edwards and Richard Penn Sawers.

 

For more photos of the morning on the deck, please look at ‘Conservancy’ in the ‘Gallery’

 

 

 

 

Meeting:                     General Committee Meeting

Date & Time:             Thursday  17^th July, 2008 at 15H00

Venue:                        11 Nkwazi Dr

Neil Wallace (Chair), Rob Hofmeyr, Klaus Achtzehn, Ian Masson, Craig Dubernard, James Gilleran, Richard Armstrong,  Margo Thiel,  Dymock Brett, Nic Ellender, Wendy Balcomb

Gladys Bowton, Vic Oellermann,

 

 

1.Sufficient members were  present for a quorum.

2. Minutes of meeting on 15^th May approved by Ian Masson and seconded by Richard Armstrong

 

3.1 Noted Notice board used by ward/RAZ likely to be made available to community in the near future due to the closure of RAZ.                                                         

 

3.2 Agreed Business cards designed by Theresa Jackson will be printed for committee executive with name and personal tel no – no designation                                        

 

3.3 Noted Website running well. Committee and members should be encouraged  through the newsletter to use the Blogging function to make comments on Zinkwazi issues                                                                                                                            

ADSL promised for October 08. 16 more subscribers necessary to bring facility to Zinkwazi. Interested parties to contact Klaus.                                                                                                              

 Registration of website (in name of Frances Barnard) to be transferred into that of ZBRRA This to be arranged by Theresa Jackson.                                                                 

 

3.4 Noted. WB meeting with Dolphin Coast Ratepayer’s Ass. Chairman Tues 20^th July to discuss interaction and mutual support.                                                           

 

3.5(a) Noted Letter to Mr Phiri (Technical Services) re recycling unanswered for 3 months. 

 Agreed that we should go ahead with meeting Premier Waste with a view to installing bins at soccer field immediately.                                                         

 

Noted Mr Clewlow’s complaint that scrap metal is being dumped on his land.

WB to get  KDM agreement to use municipal yard as collection point and WB to discuss collection with Scrap Metal dealer                                                                            

Craig to discuss dumping problem with Clewlow manager, Ryan D.                                         

 

3.5 (b) Noted D v Rensburg intention to revert to WB on Fish Eagle trading as commercial and (c) their exclusive use of pavement as Tow away Zone. 

He had referred the Zoning issue to Town Planning and the verge use to Special Services. 

We await a response for both.                                                                                                    

 

3.6 Agreed. Restoration in hands of Environmentalists and KDM. Hantjie Plomp’s detailed minutes on notice board indicate KDM intentions. Follow up management.                                                                                                                

 

3.7 Noted. Calming hump at entrance applied for in new budget and indications from Civils dept  seem fabourable                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    .                                                                                            

 

3.8    AIP project progressing well. Public interest noted. Results not yet evident. 

3.9    WB to ask North coast courier to cover in an article the work done by Thandeka and Ernest for community. 

3.10  Properties clear of alien plants are 52 and 54 Nkwazi, 116 Glen, 3 Aloe and the verge adjacent to Helipad belonging to G Prentice. Brachyleana trees to be planted along this boundary. Written permission requested from legal dept (D v R) of KDM for access to contact details from Rates dept. of 10 other properties which need to be cleaned. Noted that two vacant plots in Sea Gull ideal as high profile.   

Frances Barnard assisted WB in supplying some email addresses.

3.9 Meeting with Ski Boat club Chairman Louis Bezuidenhoudt, has not yet taken place.          

Noted. Report that Denise and Wynand Bezuidenhout to manage the Lagoon for the Ski boat club. Notice boards to be upgraded and regulations for use of lagoon to be circulated with permits. Old public access which was leased from Tongaat Hulett expired. 

Land now used by public to launch at the ‘old launch site’ is that of Clewlow. Nic E to get clarity from Ski boat club.                                                                                                            

 

4.0 Audit of end of year financials. Noted that Roberts & Chaplin satisfied that K Mc Quade most suitable. Resolved No need for a CA to do audit.  Ken McQuade to be approached re 2008 year end audit and given format guidelines.                                        

 

 4.1 Constitution revised. Simon Pratt not happy with present amended doc.  Rob toget second  opinion                                                                                                             

 

 4.2 Mini Mall tender for lease imminent.    Noted Engela averse to paying  proportionately for space as she purchased shop under previous lease with entire top floor space. Noted Previous lease used when EW purchased, included space for community space in form of office upstairs.

Action to follow lease tender as per previous minutes                                                                

 

 Agreed Lagoon assessment too expensive to undertake. The use of the 25 year old survey document very outdated but still relevant. Possible funding from Ilembe at a later stage.

 

1. Ward issues and local gov. 

Noted that NW, RH and WB were elected by the community at meeting held by ward

Ward on 1^st July to serve on Ward 2 area sub committee. Several vacancies existed due to resignations. 

Agreed that beneficial to community to have both bodies communicating and acting as one. Ward to be a forum for the different sectors of the community.

 L Bezuidenhoudt to be encouraged to attend ZBRRA and Ward meetings. Noted that Ski Boat club’s input at Ward meetings very necessary. Plan needed to get ski boat club involved 

 

  Agreed to support Ward in efforts to prompt Ilembe to deal with reticulation. Rob Hofmeyr to assist E Wium with letter to KDM stressing the need for urgency in upgrading reticulation throughout the village or issue would be taken to Public Ptotector.                                                                                                                             

Noted a change of senior staff to talke place at Ilembe which may be beneficial to Zinkwazi’s unresolved problems. 

 

 James reported that a small committee of residents including Richard Armstrong, Herman Lindveldt, Mike Crossman, Wesley Herald had met to discuss the changes to take place.

 Agreed to proposed hand over of admin to ZBRRA by Sandy Werner,                                   

Agreed  The futuremethod of management of Neighbourhood Watch through cell groups, and urgent need for promotion of the fund.                                                                                      

Noted that ZBRRA would assist with bridging funding if necessary.                                        

 

4 Built Environment.  Phil Roos who was prepared to be on sub committee to evaluate plans is no longer able to do so as he is moving to Australia at end of year.

New review committee to be developed together with Ward sub comm..                              

Craig suggested that since it was ‘service month’ (August) at KDM, we should request the tarring of Sharks board Rd together with appropriate drainage of same                 

 

 Craig notified committee that he would once more request KDM Town Planning Dept. to process his application for purchase of the property in front of his house. The wall has been removed so no more obstacles should hamper this. Craig asked if there were any objections from the committee. There were no objections from

those present.

 

Klaus and Nic stressed that storm water was not being adequately managed. 

Concrete pipes were brought into the village for this purpose by KDM but not installed. WB to write to Nollie Rabie re storm water.                                                               

 

5 Natural Environment. Klaus reported that the time was right for the revival of the dormant Zinkwazi Conservancy. Interest in the environment had grown.

 AIP project in the future could be run by Conservancy.

 

A date to be set for a founding meeting to which a number of guests with particular  interest in the environment will be invited to serve on a Conservancy committee.                   

 Noted that ZBRRA would be supportive in promoting projects (such as the AIP project now underway) outings, birding, access to limited areas as well as funding. 

The Zinkwazi birding route now fell under the Zululand birding route so local birding club could be formed.

 

Noted that the commercial and tourism sector of village not catered for in Portfolio management.

 

Agreed that Craig is to coordinate ideas re business sector issues to be addressed .                

 

 Agreed that Klaus is to coordinate ideas re Tourism/hospitality issues to be addressed .       

 

We will review potential activities in these sectors at next committee meeting

 

Closure – 17H40

Next meeting  Sept – at Ski boat club at a time to be arranged.

 

Signed ……………………………Chairman N. Wallace

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since our last update in March this year, there have been some important changes within the organization, however the immediate concern is to increase membership and funding, please refer to item 4) on this regard.

 

 

Tyrone and Sandy Werner established the security fund in 2006 and have continued to administer the organisation to date. They feel it is time that more people in Zinkwazi get involved in crime prevention in our village and it is therefore necessary for this organisation to become a separate institution in the village, with its own constitution and managing committee. To this end, a committee is currently being formed of members who reside permanently in Zinkwazi, and have volunteered their services.

 

They are:

 

James Gilleran

Richard Armstrong

Herman Lindvelt

Michael Crossman

Wesley Herald

 

The aim is to have a committee up to 8 members. The village will be divided into zones, and each committee member will be the ZNW representative for a zone, to assist members and public on security matters within that zone. Further committee volunteers are most welcome. At this stage all ZNW administration will be handled by the Zinkwazi Ratepayers and Residents Association Administrative Manager, Mrs Wendy Balcomb.

 

 

A frequently asked question is “What duties does the ZNW perform in the village and how are members contributions spent, and the need for a neighbourhood watch:-

ZNW has since December 2007 contracted Alpha Security and Patrols to patrol the village up to a 24hr basis on bicycles and foot, to monitor the security fence on the South West boundary, and to gather any information of any criminal activity, which to date has proved that Alpha’s proactive approach to crime has had, great success with an overall reduction in household robberies of 54% for the first six months of 2008, compared to the

last six months of 2007. (Currently Alpha costs are ± R 14, 400 per month for 12hr night patrol only).

 

 The electric fence on the southern side of the village continues to be a major success in deterring crime and the camera at the main village entrance is now proving well worthwhile (± current costs are R 2,000 per month).

 

Members’ contributions are used to pay and maintain these three main services which contribute to our “COMMUNITY SAFETY”

 

Please be advised that there have been some alarming armed robberies recently and the gang responsible operates the length of the North Coast from Umdloti northwards to Zinkwazi. We are in close liaison with the relevant serious crime police groups on this and other matters i.e. on 22^nd July a suspect’s vehicle was apprehended at the village entrance by Alpha and the Kwadukuza Crime Prevention Unit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BANK:            FIRST NATIONAL

BRANCH:       BALLITO – 250102

ACC NAME:   ZINKWAZI SECURITY FUND

ACC NO:        621 0174 9234

REFERENCE: YOUR SURNAME & ZINKWAZI STREET ADDRESS

 

For enquiries please contact:

 

James Gilleran – jdjgilleran@mweb.co.za Cell: 072 600 2034

Wendy Balcomb – info@zbrra.org Cell: 083 265 9631 Fax: 032 485 3764