ZBRRA

 

Letter to KDM finance   Dear Zanele Seshan Pillay suggested in a meeting today that I  advise you that 19 Magai drive at Zinkwazi is occupied by squatters.  The water bill is not being paid and the water going into the geyser is pouring out due to rust.  Zinkwazi has a water problem and  cannot afford to waste water.  I hereby request that your department close off the meter and discontinue supply of water to this property Kind regards Wendy Balcomb Admin Manager Ward 2 rep.       Dear Nollie In a meeting with Seshan yesterday I was assured that in the future all repair of damage to tar caused by iLembe would be repaired by KDM, Civils dept. May I remind you of the following iLembe excavations in need of repair 1    South end of Panorama 2    Corner of Kingfisher and Nkwazi 3    Cnr of Magai and Shelley   I am pleased to see your staff are working in Zinkwazi at the moment cleaning out drains and gutters and removing soil.  May I suggest that this soil be used to good effect to improve the narrow and un-walkable pavement on the east side of Nkwazi drive below Kingfisher.  Please ensure that previous request which below are attended to:- 1    Removal of concrete pipes at the entrance of Zinkwazi from a flower bed. 2    The calming hump at the entrance to be constructed for security purposes.  Calming humps around Leonotis park to stop speedsters. 3    Steps from Sandy Cove to beach are rotting- becoming  dangerous to use 4    Wall of private property 31 Magai damaged by sand from servitude to be replaced. 5    Wooden fence eroded and falling at entrance to beach from Shelley. It needs to be relocated further back from the dune. 6    Servitude from 106/108 Glen to beach is un-usable.  Please make good. 7    Storm water drain supports and lids to be repaired as per list 8    Curbing along all Nkwazi drive requested. 9    Erosion of tar in Palm drive and several potholes in village need tar attention 10 Sharks Board rd. Soil washed down this gravel road is deposited into Nkwazi to obstruct traffic. Tar and gutter is necessary to divert water off into drains. This road is used by essential services ie Natal Sharksboard & iLembe to supply water by tanker. Pls repair. Kind regards Wendy Balcomb

22nd Feb 09 Letter to ilembe   Dear Notha and Seshan It is Sunday and they ‘grey water’ issue mentioned below has once more surfaced.  About 20 meters of Nkwazi drive has stinking water standing in the gutter once again. Seshan inspected this at our request last week and was surprised that the outlet had not been closed off. Seshan contrary to what you advised me……the control centre are not able to give a reference number, and your call centre is out of order. Water leaks reported last week and still to be attended to: 1    75 Glen drive - leak at meter - new pipe needed 2    56 Nkwazi drive - leaking meter - reported repeatedly over past 4 mths. 3    Grey water at 74 Nkwazi dr. New reports 1    The tap in Leonotis park needs a gate valve as the lever valve is faulty and either comes out too fast or not at all.  The meter at the base of this tap is also faulty and is leaking constantly.  Please repair this. Kind regards Wendy Balcomb

Letter to Parks/Grounds   Dear Che I’ve had reports over the past 3 weeks about garden refuse left on verges for at least two weeks.  Your staff are not servicing parts of our village on a regular basis.  Garden refuse should be removed twice a week - on a Tuesday and on a Friday.   This has not been happening.  We pay for this service in our rates. Apart from some abnormal circumstance preventing this - it should take place.  Please advise me if this should occur, before I have complaints from the residents Palm fronds and cut branches of trees which do not fit into garbage bags are not being removed by your staff.  These cannot fit into bags but are neatly placed at the edge of the road for removal. Please speak to your staff regarding this. BlackRockPark The Civils dept are working in our village at the moment and there is sand and soil being removed from gutters.  This would be ideal to top dressing and level the lawns of Black Rock park Soccer Field I would like to thank you in anticipation for the start of the removal of the mound of soil on the soccer field which has for years prevented our local  staff enjoying a game of soccer.  This soil should be used to level and top dress the soccer field. Our recycling is on hold due to concrete stone occupying the area needed to place the collection bins at the soccer field.  Please assist in having the area cleared. The Washingtonia palm on the verge of 11 Nkwazi drive has not been removed as requested.  If you’d like to relocate it please do so or advise Marie to cut it down with a chain saw. On the verge of 11 Aloe dr is an unsightly mound of earth with a rotting stump which should be leveled in order for the verge to be walk-able and for the contractor to cut the lawn. Thank you for your co-operation kind regards Wendy Balcomb

and the next week - we are on the warpath !!

 

 

Letter to KDM finance Dear Zanele Seshan Pillay suggested in a meeting today that I  advise you that 19 Magai drive at Zinkwazi is occupied by squatters.  The water bill is not being paid and the water going into the geyser is pouring out due to rust.  Zinkwazi has a water problem and  cannot afford to waste water.  I hereby request that your department close off the meter and discontinue supply of water to this property Kind regards Wendy Balcomb   To Legal dept Hi Daren Please be so kind as to advise me who deals with street re-naming. I see that ‘Colenbrander’ street has been renamed ‘Colin Brander’  This is entirely incorrect.  Please can you send this on to the relevant department and ask them to correct the error or to contact me. The Colenbrander name is very important in this district - as a pioneer and as a consultant serving the Zulu nation.  He book was written about him called the White Whirlwind if anyone needs more info. Kind regards Wendy   To Civils Hi Daniel We are pleased to have Mathervan and his team but so much labour is wasted by them standing in one lump today - 6 in one place.  He is not supervising them to do separate work so little is getting done. The next problem is that the soil they remove from the gutters they are putting on the sidewalk without leveling it or just in a lump above the gutter where it will be washed down into the gutter again in the next rain. We need this soil to be used to level the pavements but he is just not putting it in the right place and doing so  Please instruct him to do a good job once and not have to repeat because of lack of supervision Kind regards Wendy To Parks Hi Che Are you interested in the palm at 11 Nkwazi drive or can Mari cut it down and remove it.  I have trees I would like to plant in its place. I note your dept have done some major trimming - thank you for that. Do they intend removing the cuttings before the weekend.  Do hope so. Please will you report to who ever that the tap in Leonartis Park has a faulty lever valve and staff using it find that it either comes out full blast or not at all.  I think it should have a gate valve which may be more secure.  Ilembe said it was not their dept but that of KDM Parks dept. Kind regards Wendy   To Civils Dear Nollie I attach a letter below from a Zinkwazi resident.  The  servitude in question was cleared by Billy from Parks some time last year.  Due to the gradient of the dune the bank is eroding and sand is falling into Magai.  Where it comes onto Magai it is too steep to negotiate without sliding down on your bottom !! I urge you to rectify the problem by constructing a set of wooden or concrete steps as explained by the resident in the letter, to enable pedestrians from Glen drive to access the beach via this servitude. I look forward to your response Kind regards Wendy Balcomb   From Steve Honeysett - Beaches Hi Wendy The following is currently being done to Black Rock Park  Electricity to the toilet block / lighting inside and outside security Painting ( Civils ) Tiling Floors ( Civils ) Boom Gate ( Civils ) Concrete Skirt around toilet block ( Civils ) This is being done with the money that was budgeted R 100 ,000 Che Gopi also has R 100,000 on his budget to upgrade the park which you need to address before the end June or it will be lost . Regards Steve

Week 23Feb – 6th March     To Dep director Tech. services Attention Mr Phiri Civils Mr N Rabie & Mr Daniel Pillay Parks & Grounds - Mr  Che Gophi Refuse removal – Mr Lucky Zulu Re Christmas box demands Dear Sirs The New Year’s clean up this year was well done and we congratulate the Beaches and Parks department for their prompt arrival on the public holidays to attend to the disgusting state of our verges and streets. I have had several complaints however that staff working for  refuse and garden refuse removal demand ‘Christmas’ from residents.  They reportedly ring the bells on gates and doors shouting  ‘Christmas Box’  Some residents were even woken with this demand !  I would like you to make it very clear to your staff that this is not acceptable behaviour, and we would like an end put to this happening in our village. Please revert to me with your opinions Kind regards Wendy Balcomb   To Civils Dear Nollie and Daniel, I am not satisfied with Mr Nene’s attitude to the tasks we need to get through in Zinkwazi.  He made a list while he and I inspected the village.  He has not send this to me despite several requests.  When he came here I summarised issues which had appeared on his list, he seemed totally unable to understand what I was talking about with regard to moving soil to level pavements. We have a good opportunity now as soil is removed from gutters, to level the areas I brought to your attention, but the staff are not supervised, stand in groups of 3 or 4 talking instead of being given a separate task each day.  Bags for soil are short and no string provided to mark the grass cutting edge of the roads so the end result is a wobbly line which will make a laughing stock of us all !! Wendy     Attention: KDM Mayor Municipal Manager KDM Mr D van Rensberg Dear Sirs Re Advertising in Zinkwazi Zinkwazi prides itself on being a non-commercial village.  The local community are against advertising in the village as they believe it is will spoil the unique atmosphere of the town. I understand that changes are imminent to ‘contract out’ advertising in parks, beaches and shopping centres.  We do not want advertising in the village, except for the necessary ‘for sale’ boards used by estate agents.  Directosigns have a contract with Kwadukuza Municipality to supply ‘combobins’.  This contract terminates in 2010. We request that this not be renewed.  The bins supplied by Directosigns are large unsightly  triangular pink concrete blocks which are placed on street corners.  Adverts appear on the sides of the bin from which Directosigns derive an income.  The centre of the block holds a small refuse bin – too small to be convenient   Please ensure that the council is well advised that we would like the Directosign contract to be terminated and all future advertising to be referred to the Ward 2 committee and the Zinkwazi Ratepayers Association for approval of the community Kind regards Wendy Balcomb

Beaches – re Billy Kullen Dear Mr Phiri I would like to commend your Manager of Beaches, Mr Billy Kullen on his exceptional work ethic. I inspect Zinkwazi village daily between 6.30am and 8am.  Billy is at his office adjacent to the soccer field daily by 6.30am.  He is at his desk before his staff arrive at 7am or 7.30am.  I note too, that he is meticulous at keeping  records.  I believe you are very fortunate indeed in KDM to have a man of this calibre, who in his humble manner, quietly progresses with his work.  Billy has great wisdom in his field having worked for the previous Zinkwazi Health Committee in the past.  His knowledge of our area, and experience is invaluable to KDM and to the residents of Zinkwazi.  His responsible attitude and good manners bring pleasure to all that meet him Kind regards Wendy Balcomb   27/02/09 To Civils Dear Nollie and Daniel We have had the staff of the Civils dept in Zinkwazi for the past 2 weeks. In that time I repeatedly pointed out to you that they need supervision. They are removing soil from gutters and cutting edges of the tar road with spades. 1    The edges are cut without a marker and are therefore jagged. 2    The loose soil is placed on the lip of the gutter to be washed back into the gutter in the next rain. The soil is useful to:- 1    Level uneven and unwalkable pavements and servitudes. 2    Topdress the lawn in Black Rock Park 3    Level the soccer field Your unskilled staff need supervision if these tasks are to be addressed. What has been done these past weeks is merely ‘Window Dressing’and a waste of ratepayer’s money. I look forward to your response Wendy Balcomb   To iLembe  05/03/09 Public Participation Meeting – IDP to be held at Zinkawzi 17th March. Dear Sir We are in receipt of your invitation to partake in the above meeting.  A sentiment of fatigue colours our desire to participate in this meeting with you.  Issues raised with iLembe over the past year have been completely ignored.  Not one of the needs put forward to you in meetings and through correspondence have been resolved:- ·       Water reticulation.  Delivery pipes throughout the village need replacing. Leaks and breaks occur daily.  Most are reported at least twice before being attended to. ·       The iLembe helpline is unreliable.  The alternate control room phone is no better.  Some calls are answered and other not ·       Plumbers drive from Stanger to Zinkwazi to ‘take a look’ at the problem.  They return for parts, in the time that it should take to repair the fault. ·       Water meters are flimsy, faulty, badly ·       placed, non existent or un-readable. ·       iLembe’s accounts department is a disgrace.  Accounts are inaccurate.  Queries go unanswered.  Clients wait months if not years for resolution to faulty bills ·       In Zinkwazi a grey water problem at 74 Nkwazi drive has been reported repeatedly and is still unresolved after a year. ·       iLembe excavations are left gaping for months.  Magai/Shelley drive is still in disarray after 6 month.  The tarring of Magai after a pipe was laid is a joke. ·       Appointments made with your staff are not kept.  Emails, phone calls and messages are not returned or responded to by your senior staff. ·       Sharksboard road is used by you to deliver water to iLembe reservoirs.  The road is in a disgraceful state as tankers spill water and degrade the surface ploughing up the hill. iLembe fob off repair saying it is the responsibility of the KDM Civils department. ·       Management of the reservoirs is unsatisfactory.  The village is frequently out of water in peak season despite prior knowledge of an increased in demand for water in  peak holiday season.   Contingency plans are non-existent.  Please ensure that these grievances are raised at your public participation meetings as a record of iLembe’s non-delivery of service to Zinkwazi. Yours truly Wendy Balcomb

I am pleased to report that as a result of the letter in bold, a meeting was scheduled with iLembe for Wednesday 24th March 09 at which our committee and the ward reps - myself and Engela Wium, where there was a breakthrough.  We had made it very clear that a disput would be declared if we had to be subjected to the ineffeciency of iLembe’s water supply.  They have undertaken to replace all reticulation pipes in Zinkwazi and the work commences after Easter at the end of April 09.

Wendy

 

Information overload is a problem in all our lives so I will summarize what I feel is important news for our membership.

1    ZBRRA has initiated a Zinkwazi Forum at which all sectors of the Zinkwazi community will be represented:-

The Neighbourhood Watch, The Ski Boat Club, The Ward, The Zinkwazi Conservancy and ZBRRA. 

This augers well for unity in the village.  Issues of major concern are common to all sectors and should be better resolved around one table.

Each sector will keep its identity and retain the right to discuss issues of particular concern ‘in committee’

2    Our Conservancy function on 6th February was a great success.  88 members enjoyed Kingsley Holgate’s accounts of his African adventures over a splendid meal at Lagoon Lodge.  The Holgates will repeat the presentation at Darnall School on Friday, 27th March.  Tickets are available from Alet Nel on 083-3756686

We endeavour to host a function or outing every two months.

3    ADSL has arrived in Zinkwazi.  Please contact either your service provider or Telkom should you be interested

4    Beach Restoration is now in progress.  Bulldozers are working on the first phase which is stabilizing the beach parking area

5    The Pensioner’s Rebate has now been extended to properties in the names of Trusts providing that the property is the permanent residence of the ratepayer.

6    We are seeking ways to get stringent measures imposed to control overcrowding in festive season.  We need your help in compiling sufficient evidence in the form of reports, photographs and letters to substantiate the fact that our village is subjected to abuse and unacceptable behaviour at that time of year.  Please send me your factual reports and personal experiences on email.

7    The Neighbourhood Watch report that the incidence of crime has decreased.  To maintain this, we urge all home owners to display emergency telephone numbers for visitors and staff.  The attached notice should be printed and displayed in staff quarters and residence alike for quick reference in an emergency.  Please make yourself known to your neighbour and to your neighbour’s staff.  Their eyes are your watchdog.

8    My work for the conservancy is progressing steadily.  The removal of alien invaders from vacant property is a slow task  - with little short term reward.  Our charge to the property owner covers labour and chemicals only. I would like to plant avenues of Indigenous trees along our roads, but have found this too expensive at R75 a tree.  The alternative is to plant truncheons of selective varieties - fig, erythrina and harpaphyllum - which grow from cutting.  I have a vision of the trunks of lime-green sycamour figs shading the lower area of Glen drive.     This however is limiting. It would be better to have a selection of attractive endemic varieties.  If you have any saplings in your garden you do not want - please notify me and I will relocate them to other areas of the village.  In these difficult economic times I hesitate to ask for donations for trees but you may wish to become involved in the selection of trees for you own area of the village.  If so please discuss this with me.

 

ZINKWAZIBEACH RATEPAYERS & RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION   MINUTES OF MEETING

Date & Time:             Thursday, 12^th Februaty, 2009

Venue:                        7 Idwala Lodge

Neil Wallace (Chair), Rob Hofmeyr, Klaus Achtzehn, Richard Armstrong, Nic Ellender, Craig du Bernard, Wendy Balcomb.

Co-opted members: James Gilleran (Security) E Wium (Ward 2) Jenny Rutledge (Blythedale)

Apologies: Margo Thiel, Ian Masson, Nigel Simmonds (Ski Boat Club)

1.        Neil welcomed visitors Engela Wium and Jenny Rutledge (of Blythedale village)

2          Approval of AGM minutes to be postponed to next meeting.

3          Confirmation of Office Bearers to be postponed to next meeting

Since issues of common concern were shared by both ZBRRA and the Ward 2 sub area committee, Engela and Wendy were in agreement that resolutions to issues could be arrived at in a common forum – alleviating the need for a second meeting and additional administration. Should any specific issues relating to either sector need discussion, this could take place either before or after the forum or at a separate meeting.

Nigel Simmons was agreeable to represent the Ski Boat club at all future meetings. James would represent the Neighbourhood Watch. The Conservancy would continue to be managed by ZBRRA and would form part of the forum.

As promised by Carolos Mendes, iLembe had contracted work to begin by the end of February. This is in progress. Engela said that Bing Comrie was to oversee the work. Her concern was that none of the adjacent property owners had been consulted as promised by Hantie Plomp. Wendy to contact Hantie.

The Ski Boat club has a change of Chairman. Nigel Simmonds, the new Chairman has expressed the wish to attend or meetings.

Water reticulation issues need resolution. Ilembe, like KDM have not responded to the needs of Zinkwazi. It was decided to target specific issues in declaring a dispute - the most necessary being water supply. Declaring a dispute is expensive and time consuming. It is hoped that once we have made our intentions clear to the local authority services may improve and it may not be necessary. Other departments may also improve their services if our intentions are made clear.

‘A meeting should be held with Notha and Seshan of iLembe with the following demands:

1          A entire new reticulation system.

a.       This reticulation system should have the following:

                                                               i.      Sensors so ILembe can determine when there is a leak and where.

                                                             ii.      Control valves, so that the leaks can easily be isolated for repairs

b.       A date of completion.

c.       The contract is to awarded to Umgeni whose track record was proved to be good.

2          Thus we meet, read our demands, give them an ultimatum. Thereafter we declare a dispute’

Neil W is to seek legal advice after consulting with other Ratepayers Assoc. advice, D Smith and Lillian Devali, inorder to draft a legal letter specifically for Zinkwazi based on

·       Clearly identified problem

·       Citing responsible authorities

·       Notify the local authority of our intention

·       Allow for retraction of needs are satisfied

·        

Rob Hofmeyr suggested that since iLembe had a change of staff, we should have a meeting with them and give the new heads of departments a chance to make good their intentions.

7          New Year and related festive season problems.

Jenny Rutledge, of Mini Villas, Blythedale was been badly affected by disturbance over festive season and has ongoing weekend disturbance, has submitted a 73 page document to the minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs -   MEC M Mabuyakhulu

(Private Bag X9078, PIETERMARITZBURG  3200 Tel 033 392 6400. 

 The report resulted in a visit from the General Manager of Municipal Planning, Mr.Frikkie Brooks. Along with the Municipal Manager Mdu Zungu, Blythedale’s discussed at a site meeting. Mrs Rutledge reported that shortly after the visit, that issues which could be considered to be dangerous or life threatening were attended to, but other needs have still not been addressed.

A second dispute to be declared with KDM. 

New Year’s day had proved that it is necessary to control the number of vehicles entering the village since

iii)         amenities not able to service visitors – water and ablutions.

Nic suggested that a survey be carried out to quantify

·       the number of vehicles Zinkwazi can accommodate.

·       The number of people the parks can accommodate

·       The amount of water, toilets to support the number of visitors.

Control of public areas by KDM essential all year if local residents are to survive holidays and weekends:

·       Beach parking boom as promised by KDM in restoration of car park will control beach parking.

·       Boom promised by KDM for Black Rock Park to control crowds before festive season not forthcoming.

·       Local residents threatened civil action after non-delivery by KDM 

Rob suggested we ask disaster management consultant, Abdul Domingo to visit Zinkwazi (at ZBRRA cost)

A file of past festive season problems to made available to him.

He prepares an action plan which we submit to KDM for implementation at Easter

Should our past experiences of New Year be considered ‘disasters’ according to AD we qualify for more stringent legal action to be implemented. This should be made available to KDM by October in preparedness for the next festive season..

A third dispute to be declared with SAPS

iii)         Abuse of the rights of local residents to access to their own properties

Reports, video footage, letters from affected parties to be compiled into dossier.

Report of 6 newly opened beaches in the area to be investigated.

The rates dep are still in the process of undergoing re-valuation of properties for the new role. 

Pensioner rebates are now available for properties in the names of trusts providing they satisfy the normal requirements.

Zoning of properties clearly define activities permissible.

Klaus explained that all community had participated in an independent survey compiled by Helena Jacobs which clearly outlined the wishes of the people. The results were overwhelmingly in support of the village atmosphere and an aversion to commercialism.

Green Jacket Boutique hotel at 130 Nkwazi drive does not fall into the B&B category but into ‘hotel’

The establishment would therefore be required to rezone to commercial or downscale to trade legally. Plans for this building have not yet been past by KDM town planning dept.

James reported a decrease in incidents since January 28^th. 

ZBRRA agreed to fund two extra guards to patrol to 15^th Dec                      5631-60          pd Jan

Additional funding agreed to: Alpha Security ending 16^th Jan                     13,212-60

Mike Dixon Security Systems for maintenance of fence                            10,727-40

Ocean Ecco for the removal of a fallen tree on fence                              R    600-00

The talk and dinner at Lagoon Lodge was a great success.

AIP and rehabilitation programme successful

Bi monthly functions planned by Conservancy for members.

The shelter erected by vendors at the entrance to the village was removed after Nhlanhla and Ivy of the Local Economic Development visited the village, after a telephone call from WB. They promised to deal with our recurring accommodation problem for basket weaver when next they visit the village.

Signed ……………………………Chairman N. Wallace

 ……………………………Admin manager. W Balcomb

 

Initial selection of SITES OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE

Many local species do not occur much beyond either Durban or Richards Bay.

The centre of the distribution of the rare Humpback Dolphin is at Zinkwazi.

The tiny Harold Johnson Nature Reserve alone has more tree species than the UK.

The greater Zinkwazi area has a tree diversity matching the richest in the country.

We have the greatest number of butterfly and Moth species in the country.

Within a radius of 35km we have over 470 bird species - almost 60% of national species.

The Zinkwazi area has the greatest concentration of the elusive Bushbuck in the country.

South Africa has the third highest biodiversity in the world.

existing Ezimvelo reserve

biodiversity hotspot – rare coastal grasslands – forest – historical sites – scenic

HLOGWANE/DHLOKWENI-SEULA forest complex (approx 29^o 14′ 12” S 31^o 28′ 57” E)

mostly on private Tongaat-Huletts land spilling into Admiralty - on south bank of Tugela estuary

climax coastal lowland forest – pristine, large, ’round’, rare - biodiversity hotspot

THORNY PARK BUSH (approx 29^o 12′ 05” S 31^o 25′ 06” E)

on private Thorny Park estate

surrounding Harold Johnson with similar habitat including riverine forest – valuable buffer and habitat extension for HJ

admiralty and road reserve?

Riverine Sycamore forest patches and wetlands – corridor link between Harold Johnson and Hlogwane/Dhlokweni-Seula

admiralty and private land

uncommon estuary type in fairly good condition - 2^nd most species diverse and 2^nd best conserved river south of Saint Lucia (G. Begg)

admiralty and private (Tongaat-Huletts/Clewlow) land between Tugela and Nonoti estuaries

extensive forest, bush and coastal grasslands - partially in excellent condition – important corridor linking Tugela, Zinkwazi, Nonoti estuaries – including Zinkwazi village

admiralty and on North private Nonoti Estate – South private land

rich riverine forest and wetlands – important habitat – extension of corridor

possible involvement of south bank community

on private Nonoti Estate

’succession’ forest – large – includes unusual geological depressions of historical significance – adjacent to corridors

MORE: Nyatigazi hill Darnall, Amatikulu corridor along dune forest,

Tugela corridor inland, Ingwenya reserve, Otimati valley