ZBRRA

–

Patti Brooks

Secretary, Mtunzini Conservancy

brooks.patti.e@gmail.com

Tel: 27 35 340 1296

Mobile 27 84 581 1296

fax: 0866966417 (from SA numbers only)

PO Box 270

Mtunzini

3867

The following emails correspondence is as a result of a query from a local resident to move the launching of boats off the main beach. 

No particular spot can be described as perfect so at this stage we stay with the present position

WB

To the Chairman of the Zinkwazi Ski Boat Club - Mr Nigel Simmonds

Hi Nigel,

Is the following possible?

to check with Steve and your members - what the feeling is about
launching onto the lagoon and then pulling across the beach - which
means we would be completely free of potential accidents on the main
beach. Please let me have some feedback on this, so I can forward to the
relavant party.

Kind regards

Engela Wium
Ward 2 Rep

Morning to all.

There is an overwhelming agreement from the ZDSAC committee that
launching from the lagoon has zero benefit to the safety of other beach
users and the sensitivity of the lagoon eco system. We certainly will no
be free of potential accidents, in fact we will increase our exposure to
potential accidents.

It is noted that our ROD and EMP do not allow any vehicle within 5m of
the lagoon. Only 5 motorised craft to move on the lagoon at any one
time. It would also be a contravention to take a boat from the lagoon
and launch it into the sea and taking a boat from the sea and pushing it
into the lagoon.

Beaching takes place on the northern end of the bay due to bathers
swimming in the bay. Boats are trailered in this area and parked near
the club house. Should one have to beach and pull the boat into the
lagoon then you would have to beach at the closest point to the lagoon
which would be where the bathers are. This is because you would wear the
bottom of the boats dragging them along the beach from the northern end
of the bay to the lagoon each time.

The lagoon is also generally full of small children, unattended and
aware given the lagoons safety features, which makes launching and
beaching via the lagoon more of a risk to beach users. Life guards do
not manage bathers activity and movements in this area.

The lagoon is also very shallow and given the size of some of the boats,
running aground would be a potential problem.

The sea end of the lagoon is also generally a no-boat zone as this area
is demarcated for swimming etc. Nic Ellender has been tasked to run a
line with floats demarcating this area as the last floods we had washed
the previous demarcation away.

Fisherman also fish along the banks of the lagoon, outside the
demarcated bathing area, which will create conflict if boats have to be
pushed and out of the lagoon.

Regards

Nigel

Reports mid April – end May

I would like to support Engela whole heartedly in her questioning of the performance management of the individuals responsible for this situation.

 Perhaps I was lucky to be spending Easter in the Eastern Cape "Port Alfred" a coastal community with major water challenges and the best example of a coastal desalination plant in SA. They were FULL of holiday makers and had NO problems! Their reticulation system is first class . We can be in the same class if we take the actions discussed at our last meeting.

 I too look forward to your response to Engela’s queries, We have to get this right, If we don’t we will loose out. There are many wonderful coastal areas that are going the extra mile to ensure property owners and holiday makers can enjoy basic amenities and they will take the tourist and holiday trade away from ZINKWAZI and KDM.

 2009 is the year to resolve these problems.

 Neil Wallace

Chairman,  ZBRRA

1.       On Thursday night from 1am to 6am the ground reservoirs showed a significant drop, from 6am, the drop stopped. What this tells me is that there was a huge burst/leak around 1am, which continued until around 5pm when the control room woke up and send plumbers out (the leak was in Glen drive). My concerns are:

a.       Are the control room recording hourly flows?

b.      If so why did they not pick up this problem and react to it by 2pm?

c.       Does this not prove that whoever was manning the control room was fast asleep?

d.      Will this person be given a final written warning? For the loss in our most precious asset, water? Or even dismissed? Simple disciplinary procedure…..

e.      If they did pick-up that we had a serious problem, did they contact the plumber on standby, who was he and why did he not react immediately?

f.        If it was a sleeping problem which took our reservoirs from 60 to 19%, will he be terminated for the same reason as previously states?

I look forward to your detailed response after investigation of this issue.

It is unacceptable that service delivery is so pathetic that there are no consequence for those not performing at their jobs.

Subsequently we had 2 additional major leaks in Nkwazi drive on Friday, for all 3 of these leaks, large parts of the village was isolated and left people without water for most of Friday.

On behalf of the residence and ratepayers of Zinkwazi beach I reiterate my previous complaints and demand once again.

1.       Complete replacement of the reticulation system in Zinkwazi beach.

2.       Adequate isolation valves.

3.       Lead/flow detection sensors.

4.       The URGENT upgrade/training of the control centre, with qualified, educated staff.

Thanks Engela, please remind me to invite you to the staff christmas jol….you are almost a govt official!! thanks so much for the work you are doing - it is a thankless task, and i wonder if the other folks in the area know just how much graft you are putting to make sure they have water in their homes! have a great weekend, enjoy the rugby.

 I have your/Engela’s correspondence (from Engela)  and am grateful for the
attention you are both putting into the water problems.  We certainly are
fortunate to have her involvement and her understanding of the water issues
in the village. I am writing to appeal to you to attend to the still unresolved iLembe
excavations in the village.  I took both Notha and Seshan on a tour of inspection with Celani from KDM Civils to see the iLembe tar/holes etc which
needed to be repaired but still nothing has been done about them.  Please confirm that repairing of iLembe excavations is the responsibility of KDM
Civils ?  I would like to know that I can rely on iLembe to ensure that each project is brought to closure. The ‘grey water’ problem in Nkwazi drive, near Fish Eagle offices, is still not resolved.  Vim Pillay was dealing with it.  It seems to rear its ugly head whenever we have a village full of people. Please could you tell me when we can expect this to be finalised. What were the changes which resulted in so many breaks in our pipes last week.?
I would be pleased to hear from you should there be any emergencies which should be relayed WB

Hi Lucky
Please tell your drive to stop at the entrance to the village and to send his staff to collect rubbish out of a bin on the left hand side under a large fig tree.  The rubbish has been there for months.  There is also a bin on the right (ridge) side which they do clean out but the one on the left as you enter is set back under a large tree and is always full as people sit there.I would be grateful to hear from you if you do not understand where I mean
Regards WB

Dear Mawande

I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting you but hope you will be in Zinkwazi with time to call on me at Idwala no 7 (in Nkwazi Ridge Est)

I have forwarded my last letter to Mr Maharaj on to you - a letter to which he has not responded.  I understand that you are managing the P403 to Zinkwazi. and I need to bring to your attention some concerns

1    The resurfacing of the road seems to be complete thank you, but making has not yet been done and until so the road is dangerous.

2    The NPA removed soil from the edge of the road before resurfacing and left this in piles against the crash bar or edge of the road to wash back into the road with the next rain.  This needs to be moved away, and drains constructed along the edge to cope with the flow of rain water.

3    Pedestrians walk in the road as the verges of the road are dense with bushes.  We are very happy to have trees line our road into Zinkwazi and do not want these removed but we would like the understory of the trees cut so as to allow pedestrians to walk on the verge.

Some bushes such as brachylaena should be cut back.

If you would like my assistance, please let me know.

I look forward to hearing from you

Wendy Balcomb

Dear Mr Maharaj of NPA – district roads

Thank you Mr Maharaj for the surfacing of the P403.  It looks and feels wonderful to drive.  I have heard several good comments and compliaments for the NPA !

I am concerend however that it is taking so long to have the road marked.  With the Easter weekend imminent it is dangerous at night  - especially for strangers to the area.

I would also like to stress another concern, mentioned in earlier correspondence, which is not urgent, and that is the soil which your staff piled up along the edge of the road.  This will spill back into the road over time.  Please could you have this removed and used to level dongas alongside or dumped in a valley nearby

Thank you for your co-operation

Kind regards

Wendy Balcomb

Dear Cecil – in Town Planning

I have not had a response from you with regard to other building service problems - rubble on verge of 69 Panorama and the erosion of a pavement at cnr of Palm/Rooibekkie caused by a pool outlet.  Please let me know if these are incorrectly directed to your department.

Servitude 31 Magai has a grey water drain opening into the servitude from an adjacent property.  It appears to come from 29 Magai.

Please will you send someone to inspect this and to send the appropriate correspondence to those involved so that the problem can be resolved.  I have had several complaints from residents since this could be a health hazard.

Kind regards

Wendy Balcomb

I have reports from residents  - in particular from Aloe drive - that they are in darkness since nothing has been done with regard to the repair of their faulty street lights. 

Please advise me what you propose doing so that I can revert to those concerned

Wendy Balcomb

I am afraid that your staff have not responded to our needs in Zinkwazi.  I have reports from various residents in different parts of the village that despite their reports of lights not working, nothing has been attended to. 

Aloe drive is in darkness.

Please let me know what is being done about this.

I appreciate your attention

Dear Nollie and Daniel
you did such a good job of tarring the large hole in Nkwazi dr.  but have forgotten that a few meters away in Kingfisher are two other dongas in the
tar.  Pls be so kind as to tar these If your heavy vehicle is in the village again,  pls can you have the two concrete pipes removed from the garden at the entrance on the right as you come in.  I would like to complete the garden and cannot do so with them in the bed. I look forward to hearing from you. WB

Dear Nicol

Please be so kind as to visit Zinkwazi so that we can discuss several issues which need your department’s attention

*    The street sign on the corner of Magai and Flamingo is lying on the ground.  I believe the wooden pole is rotten

*    Vehicles are illegally parking on the corner of Shelley and Magai at the beach entrance.  These vehicles prevent the owner of the residence leaving his property.  We need ‘Tow Away Zone’ streetmaking to deter this habit along a stretch of this road 

*    Bollards are necessary at the end of Sandy Cove at the beach access and at Shelley to prevent vehicles moving into the servitude.

All the above would be easier to explain if you were able to give me an hour of your time Regards WB

Eskom street lights

Dear Stephen

Magai drive is in darkness from no 3 to no 9 Magai. 

Please be so kind as to have your staff inspect the

streetlights in this area.  We are most concerned about the

security of our residents in this lonely part of the village

I look forward to hearing from you

Kind regards

Wendy Balcomb

Environmental task team- beach restoration

Dear Bing Thank you for meeting us on the beach today to discuss the rehabilitation of the dunes.  We shared with you the outcome of a Zinkwazi Forum discussion on the beach toilets which took place at a Forum meeting last night.  As requested I have put our resolutions in writing.

 We are aware of the KDM policy of retreat along the coastline, and the need to preserve admiralty reserve.

The reality is that we have inherited a substantial, well maintained set of toilets on the beach, within Admiralty reserve.  The building is functional in serving the public due to its proximity to both the bathers and the Ski Boat Club.  The proposal that this should be demolished and replaced by new toilets in the car park is questionable for the following reasons.    

1i) The proposed new block of toilets will once more be constructed within admiralty reserve

1ii) The new toilets will not be functional since these would be too far from the main bathing area.

1iii) They are likely to be vandalised in the car park after hours.

1iv) The Ski Boat club, who have monitored and maintenance the toilets close by in the past, will be too distant to do so in the future

 2i) The unacceptable pollution of the river/beach by seepage of sewage from the beach toilets is noted

We propose that the sewage from the beach toilets along with sewage from the existing toilets in the Ski Boat club be pumped to a conservancy tank to be located in the car park.

 We trust that the wishes of our community, represented by the Forum will be considered

 K Achtzehn - Chairman – Zinkwazi Conservancy

E Wium – Chairman - Ward 2

N Simmonds - Chairman - Zinkwazi Ski Boat Club

J Gilleran - Chairman – Zinkwazi Neighbourhood Watch

Dear Che
I phoned Nhlanhla (LED) re the rubbish left by the basket weavers in the bush opposite Fish Eagle Est in

hopefully this will not reoccur. I also tried all day to reach Billy and eventually got Steve to tell him that the beach cleaners have left a mountain of loose (not in bags) household refuse in the enclosure at the main beach parking.  Bernard for some

ready to plant now with holes and compost at the side.  It worked well with Billy delivering last time.  We were very quick and I did not hold him up.  Once the trees are all planted Che I would like you to come down for an article by the Courier.  They asked me a long time ago if they could cover the work we are doing here but I  put them off until one could see a change.   I have people very interested in what we are doing and I can see a change in attitude as they are getting involved and watering them and asking what they are etc.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards WB

Hi Lucky
I wonder if you came to see the rubbish that was left in theat the car park the enclosure.  We need a regular pick  up if the beach cleaners are to use this place to drop off the rubbish. It looks terrible from the beach as you can see it all spilling down the dune Pls let me know when you are here so we can make a plan for where it can be held I would be very pleased to hear from you
Wendy

KDM Traffic
Eddie Boventura - Ballito is coming to see me with regard to marking a ‘tow away zone’ in front of 5 Magai entrance as cars are blocking the owner in. We will also look at a solution for 1 Magai as he has access from the servitude to his property but some protection should be afforded to the dune as this area is Admiralty.

Dear Eddie

I appreciate your coming to Zinkwazi to inspect the issues I  brought to your attention, and to identify necessary upkeep 
in the village.

The following is a matter of urgency:

The Shelley rd entrance

1)    The entrance to a residence at 5 Shelley rd is frequently blocked by illegal parking in the servitude leading 
to the beach entrance

2)    Signage to prevent this is essential.  Your proposal for sign boards and road marking is supported.

3)    Curbing and posts around the edge of Magai on both sides is necessary to prevent cars parking on the bank and

causing congestion

4)    Before any of the above can be attended to KDM Civils dept need to repair the damaged tar from iLembe’s excavation.  The leveling of the area north of the servitude and the bank on the corner of Magai and Shelley need to be made good. 

iLembe and the Civils dept have had several letters to this effect but to date nothing has been done. 

Pls refer this to Mr Nollie Rabie and to Daniel Pillay of the civils dept.  Their non-delivery of service is holding up other necessary work. 

Kind regards

Wendy Balcomb

Thank you for your phone call yesterday and the letter below.

I had a successful discussion with Engela Wium (ward 2) and a meeting with Nigel Simmonds (Ski Boat club)  and

Carlos’s supervisor of beach construction, Grant, on site

1)    We noted that the refuse holding pen was cleaned of garbage by KDM this morning.

2)    Nigel has requested Frikkie (the Ski boat club beach manager),  relocate the slatted wooden holding pen a few meters further inland off the dune on Seagull rd.  This will be convenient for beach cleaners as a drop off and well placed  for collection bi-weekly by KDM

3)    Nigel Simmonds was to investigate the Ski Boat Club’s ROD and their authority/responsibility to manage refuse removal from this depot in the future.

4)    I will plant suitable shrubs (3) on the road side of the holding pen to obscure it once road works alongside have

been completed.

 Kind regards

Wendy

The environmental task team and KDM had suggested, in their proposals for beach restoration, that the toilet block on the beach be demolished and be rebuilt at the car park. Neil proposed that since the alternate building would still be in the Admiralty reserve this was not the solution. He suggested to solve the pollution of the river/beach from the toilets, the sewage be pumped into a conservancy tank at the car park along with the sewage from the toilets within the Ski Boat Club.  The Zinkwazi Forum unanimously agreed with this proposal. The position of the existing toilets, although ecologically incorrect, is closer to the bathing area and would be monitored and maintained by the Ski Boat club. Whereas those constructed in a deserted car park at night are likely to be vandalized. Nic explained that there were alternatives to conservancy tanks such as the Liliput system to deal with sewage and this could be investigated. 

Nic to investigate the number of parking bays at the beach parking, before the high seas. The equal number would be replaced by KDM elsewhere

Hi Wendy,

The Policy Committee decided to accept your toilet proposal ie toilets stay
but pump effluent to a conservancy tank in the car park. Skiclub to pay for
its portion of pumping and connection costs.

Extra parking in Nkwazi Drive if savings available.
Balance of items requested to be referred to KDM Civil Department.

Regards,

Carlos Mendes
SMA Consultants
122 Balcomb Street
Stanger
4450
SOUTH AFRICA

Visitors to Zinkwazi will be aware of great activity on the verges. Avenues of indigenous tree are being introduced on verges. This is the Zinkwazi Conservancy’s initiative to ‘rehabilitate’ the village. The dormant Zinkwazi Conservancy was revived in August 08 by the Ratepayer’s Association. Under the management of their Admin manager, Wendy Balcomb, they have embarked on a project to remove alien invader plants from the village and to introduce indigenous substitutes. Wendy Balcomb, who works for the Ratepayers and the Conservancy said “We have employed and trained two staff who clear vacant properties of alien vegetation at the request of environmentally aware owners. We do not make a profit, but merely offer this as a service at cost to the community. Our reward is the emergence of lush bush and trees which for years have been smothered by tangled alien growth. Pioneer plants are not weeded out as their function is to protect the emergence of young saplings”

In order to encourage sound environmental practices in the area, the Ratepayers Association hosted a training course on Monday 23^th May at Lagoon Lodge. Local farmers and garden services were invited at no cost.   Chemical advisor Julian Pybus and Vusi Khoza from Silvix Mtunzini gave a comprehensive presentation on identification and treatment of alien plants and a thorough understanding of chemical labeling and the handling of equipment.   There followed a practical in field demonstrations. 

The Ratepayers would like to thank Julian and Vusi for their services and for making the demo. so much fun ………..participants went home reciting botanical plant names filled with enthusiasm to put their new skills into practice. One farmer, Tony van Raalte reported that his employee earmarked several illegal plants in his garden the next day and is insistent that these should be removed !! 

The Ratepayers Association is developing an indigenous nursery in Zinkwazi which will provide residents with endemic shrubs and trees. “These plants will be used to improve the state of our Admiralty and for the rehabilitation of municipal parks. Our mission is to make Zinkwazi a sanctuary for birds and wildlife. We hope to provide our residents and visitors with a selection of bush trails and eco-parks for their recreation, education and enjoyment” Wendy Balcomb said.

Dear member 

‘One mans meat is another’s poison’! …. watch the English Country Road show or visit India to understand how discards of one are highly regarded by another. A faded photo of Noel Coward, in bed dressed in his silky gown, fetched four hundred pounds on the road show!   Brahmin cows delicately lick leaves off the streets in old Deli, where they are later deposited as cow pats, collected, dried and used to fuel cooking fires. 

Our garden refuse – those ugly piles of leafy branches (which should only be put out for collection on Tuesdays and Fridays) can:-

·       Supply cuttings to establish/improve our garden

·       bundles for firewood (I know who will take this)

·       compost to improve your soil

Exhausted KDM staff would have more leisure time. We would have more attractive gardens and verges, and Nyatigaze would have firewood.….give it a try!

After much pressure and tenacious follow up by your committee, myself and Engela Wium as ward representatives, iLembe have accepted the fact that the ancient reticulation pipes are the key reason for water shortages in the village. They have contracted out the replacement of the supply pipes that bring water to your home from the reservoir - and the preparation work is well underway. It has been established that the pressure at the end of the village has been double what it should be. As a result old and weak sectors of the pipe would burst. The contractors bpb Construction and JOAT Consulting have advised me that the large holes dug along Nkwazi drive were for the inspection of existing pressure valves. 1.8 million rand is available for the project in the present year’s budget. We have earmarked the old and weak sections of the line along Nkwazi drive to be replaced first. A submission for the replacement of the remainder of the village reticulation pipes will be made for next year’s budget.

Beach restoration at the car park is underway and moving to completion at a rapid pace. KDM has assigned work to several contractors to complete different aspects of the work – palisade fencing, wooden stairs etc.. It is encouraging to see their speed and professionalism. For those living away from Zinkwazi I will try and explain the appearance of the car park….. A metal palisade fence runs along the crest of the supporting sand bank at the edge of the car park, from the private property on the south to the centre of the car park. Here a 1.5 m wooden staircase gives access to the beach. Suitable plants will be introduced to support the bank on both sides. On the north of the access steps to the beach the bank is not very steep. Attractive wooden post and rail was being installed today.   I am concerned that this and plants alone will be ineffective in preventing pedestrians from taking a ‘short cut’ up the bank - thereby eroding it. Another topic of discussion to take place with the contractors.

With less parking within the car park, holiday season remains a concern. Discussion with KDM regarding the use of verges along Nkwazi drive will take place shortly. We have requested a 1meter wide concrete pedestrian walk from Nkwazi drive to the car park along the south verge of Seagull. 

The environmental task team quite rightly condemned the use of septic tank toilets on the banks of the lagoon mouth and the danger of pollution this creates. They suggested the existing buildings be demolished and rebuilt at the North end of the car park using a conservancy tank system. At our last Zinkwazi Forum meeting in April an alternate proposal was made that the existing toilet building be retained but converted to a conservancy system with a pump to a storage tank at the north end of the car park allowing easy access by the suction tanker . This was unanimously supported since it is cost and space effective. We await their decision!

KDM Rates dep have informed me that existing, registered pensioners need not re-apply for their rebate on rates. Primary properties, in the name of a Trusts may apply for the rebate (in the past trusts did not qualify) I have the forms for new applicants and can send these to you on request. Once completed, a certified copy of the applicants ID must be attached. I will facilitate these being signed by Cnl Pakkies and their delivery to the rates dept. by the end of June.    An 8% increase in rates is to be expected.

The sound of a cane fire is amazingly similar to that of heavy rain when in bed at night. They have vastly dissimilar effect on the farmer !! He either shoots out of bed with torch and van keys or he turns over with a smile his face.  Smiling we are …. after that short heavy shower last night. I am hoping buds will sprout on those dead-looking branches I planted as avenue trees. Please read my attached article on the AIP training course the Conservancy arranged. It’s encouraging to note the growth of participation from residents. I am establishing an indigenous nursery for the Conservancy on the helipad at the end of Glen. My thanks to Tongaat Huletts and the Clewlow family for making this possible. Their enthusiasm and support in all things environmental has made this possible for the benefit of Zinkwazi. Gary Prentice is known for his generosity – but I did not expect the donation of his helicopter hangar. He will be proud to see what we plan for its use in the future.    To Tony and Ryan of Siyavusa construction for 3cu meters of river sand delivered and to site, and to Tina Groom for her precious gift of manure from her stables – nothing could be more valuable a nurseryman !!.  

Linda from Lagoon Lodge (caravan park) has invited us all to a fireside evening in the Boma. At R20 a head for Bunny-chow, music and the best company in town. It promises to be a fun evening so please come and join us on Friday 12^th at 6pm All welcome but you do need to book on 032-4853344

On that hot note from a cold Zinkwazi 

Good Wishes