UPDATE - Buffalo City

2010
BUFFALO CITY
MUNICIPALITY
2
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3
4
City appoints Acting
Municipal Manager
New Year’s Message
From Executive Mayor
UPDATE
OUR OFFICIAL STAFF PUBLICATION
Buffalo City Fire Department
receives Feather Award
Engineering Directorate launch
key infrastructural projects
4
5
7
JANUARY – MARCH 2010
BCM staff urged to
embrace Football Fridays
One-on-One with the
Executive Mayor
Staff leave benefits
www.buffalocity.gov.za

New Year’s Message
From Executive Mayor Councillor Zukisa Faku
The City last November
welcomed Vusumuzi Mavuso as
the Acting Municipal Manager.
He heads up an administration of
nearly 5 000 employees.
His role includes managing the
implementation of the municipality’s
Integrated Development Plan and
unfolding the City Development
Strategy premised on the pillars
of financially sustainable good
governance in a City that is both
inclusive and productive.
The Municipal Manager is also
responsible for ensuring that the
City’s administration is aligned
with the political priorities and
programmes of Council.
While ensuring the
administration’s compliance
with relevant legislation with a
development ethos, the Municipal
Manager also provides advisory
services to the Executive Mayor
and Council with regard to policy
issues.
The Buffalo City Municipal
Manager also ensures that the
development and implementation
of strategies have measurable
positive impact on organisational
productivity and financial
performance.
The Municipal Manager’s key
performance areas include:
• Basic Service Delivery
Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku
2010, the year that everybody
in South Africa has been waiting for
with anticipation, is finally here.
The political and social hype that
people, collectively and individually,
have built into 2010 has raised the
hopes and aspirations of many, and
have branded 2010 as the year of
fulfilment of dreams.
For the people of Buffalo City,
specifically, 2010 marks the turning
point from misery to exultation, from
material deficit to opportunities,
from poverty to abundance, and
from emotional deprivation to
spiritual wealth.
The workforce of Buffalo City
Municipality has a very important
role to play in realizing all these and
other positive goals and ambitions
of the people of Buffalo City.
Whilst it is true that the
Municipality can never hope to
create enough jobs to cater for the
overflowing market of job-seekers
in this region, we have a central
and cardinal role to play in ensuring
their comfort, and ensuring that
they receive the basic services due
to them.
It is therefore my wish and
hope that, as we are still at the
City Appoints Acting Municipal Manager
• Local Economic Development
• Municipal Financial Viability
• Municipal Transformation
• Good Governance and Public
Participation
Background:
Before taking up the post of
Acting Municipal Manager with
Buffalo City, Vusumuzi Mavuso
was a Regional Director in the City
of Johannesburg, a position he
occupied since 2004.
Mavuso is the Chairperson of
The newly appointed Acting Municipal Manager, Vusumuzi Mavuso
2
the Institute of Local Government
in Gauteng Province, a former
trade unionist, activist and
community development worker.
He was a member of the provincial
legislature in Gauteng from 1994
to 1999 and has served in several
legislature committees.
In 1999, Mavuso represented
Gauteng in the Public Service
Commission.
Between 2000 and 2002,
Mavuso was employed as the
opening stage of the year 2010,
we will, jointly and severally, take
a conscious decision to serve
the population of Buffalo City
with honour and dignity, to go the
extra mile in providing them with
whatever the Municipality has been
tasked to provide, and to ensure
that they enjoy their status as
citizens of Buffalo City.
In saying this, I am mindful of
the fact that we, as the municipal
staff, also have hopes and
aspirations for the year 2010, and
that many of these are related to
the workplace environment and our
general conditions of service.
In this regard, I promise to
continue my periodical interactions
with the municipal trade union
leadership on matters affecting
our workforce. I also invite your
trade union leaders to adopt this
same attitude, and to continue
representing the needs and
aspirations of their members.
Together we have a corporate
responsibility to instil a sense of
pride within our workforce, whilst
giving due cognisance to issues
that frustrate them.
It is in this spirit that I welcome
back all the staff that have been on
holiday during the festive season. It
is also in this spirit that I throw the
gauntlet to municipal employees in
general to strive to make 2010 the
year of success and victory for the
Municipality in its endeavours to
create a better life for the people.
head of department for Local
Government in Gauteng, before
joining a private sector consultancy
as a Local Government specialist.
Mavuso has a post-graduate
qualification in management from
the Public and Development
Management School at the
University of the Witwatersrand
in Johannesburg. He has also
completed several certificate
programmes in management and
Local Government.
Welcoming:
In welcoming Mavuso,
Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku said
she hoped that he would follow his
name and “rebuild this house of
Buffalo City”. Vusumuzi means to
rebuild the house.
She said Buffalo City had been
without a Municipal Manager for
the past 12 months. “During this
period, we have had to appoint
Acting Municipal Managers from
our pool of directors and acting
directors, on a rotational basis.”
The biggest disadvantage of
this practice was that nobody sat
in office long enough to visualise
and strategise development
programmes for the municipality
and its people. The incumbents
were simply there to manage
the day-to-day running of the
municipality.

Acting Chief Fire Officer Thomas Ruele displays a trophy and certificate that his
department has received for its outstanding response to emergency incidents at the
Annual Airports Company Feather Awards Ceremony.
Buffalo City Fire Department receives
Feather Award
Airports Company East London
recently acknowledged the Buffalo
City Fire Department with a Feather
Award for its outstanding response
to emergency incidents.
Each and every Airport has
an Aerodrome Emergency
Management System (AEMS).The
AEMS is a procedure detailing the
functions of different emergency
organisations that are expected to
respond to airport incidents and
render their services as stipulated
in it.
The Fire Department was
honoured with the award at the
2009 Annual Airports Company
Feather Awards Ceremony held on
the 26 th November last year at the
Regent Hotel.
Buffalo City Acting Chief Fire
Officer Thomas Ruele said: “It
is a great feeling to know that
our Fire Department can render
services within its jurisdictions
and be acknowledged by other
organisations. Our staff always
work tirelessly to ensure that
services are rendered effectively
and this award reflects just that
dedication and commitment.”
Airports Company East London
Chief Fire Officer Mzimni Tyhileka
said: “It is a pleasure to recognise
the Buffalo City Fire Department
for the excellent response and
interaction with East London Airport
Fire and Rescue during incidents at
the airport. This is according to our
AEMS where emergency services
are expected to assist the airport
during emergency incidents.”
Employee Housing subsidy
benefit
Did you know that Buffalo
City municipality offers a housing
subsidy to Municipal employees
who are paying bonds through a
registered financial institution. A
housing subsidy is the monthly
allowance that is given to the
Municipal employees who are
paying bonds through a registered
financial institution. In other words
it is a Council contribution to its
employees towards paying their
bonds.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR A
HOUSING SUBSIDY?
Anyone who is employed
permanently by the Municipality
and is paying a bond through a
registered financial institution. The
property for which one is getting
subsidy must be registered in
his and/or his spouses name or
in their joint name. The property
must be personally occupied by
the recipient of the subsidy. The
recipient of the subsidy or the
spouse must not be a recipient of
another housing subsidy or similar
allowance.
HOW DOES IT WORK?-
Once the bond gets registered
at the Deeds office the employee
applies for the subsidy by
completing a Subsidy application
form. If they meet the requirements
the subsidy gets paid into their
salary every month for as long as
they are paying a bond.
HOW MUCH DOES ONE GET
PAID FOR THE SUBSIDY?
At the moment it is R1000 per
month but it varies with the interest
rate change. When the interest rate
increases it increases and when
it decreases it also increases, but
we get the instruction for a change
from SALGA.
Inkxaso-Mali Yendlu
Yabasebenzi Bakamasipala
Umasipala weBuffalo City
inikezela ngenkxaso-mali kubasebenzi
abahlawula izindlu
ngezivumelwano zemboleko-mali
kumaziko abolekisa ngemali agunyazisiweyo.
Lenkxaso yezindlu
sisibonelelo esijolise ekuncediseni
abasebenzi kwintlawulo yabo yetyala
lezindlu zabo.
NGUBANI OSELUNGELWENI
UKUFUMANA LE NKXASO-
MALI?
Nabani na oqeshwe isigxina
nguMasipala, ohlawula isivumelwano
semali yendlu kumaziko
abolekisa ngemali agunyazisiweyo.
Lendlu umntu afumana ngayo
inkxaso-mali mayibe ibhaliswe
ngegama lakhe okanye elomyeni
/elomfazi wakhe okanye ibhaliswe
ngabo bobabini. Umntu ofumena
inkxaso-mali makabe uhlala kuyo
indlu.
Umxamli wenkxaso okanye
umnyeni / umfazi makangaxhamli
kwenye inkxaso-mali yendlu okanye
isibonelelo esikumila kunje.
ISEBENZA NJANI?
Ngelixesha isivumelwano sibhaliswa
kwi -ofisi yencwadi yezigqibo
zomthetho umsebenzi makacele
inkxaso-mali ngokuthi agcwalisa
ifomu yesicelo senkxaso-mali.
Ukuba isicelo sithe saphumelela,
inkxaso-mali izakuhlawulwa emvuzweni
rhoqo ngenyanga ukuba
usahlawula isivumelwano semali
yendlu.
IYIMALINI LENKXASO-MALI?
Ililwaka lerandi (R1000) ngenyanga
kodwa ixhomekeke kutshintsho
lomlinganiselo wenzala.
Xa umlinganiselo wenzala unyuka
iyenyuka naxa usihla iyehla, isigunyaziso
sotshintsho sikhutshwa
yi-South African Local Government
Association (SALGA).
3
BCM concludes demarcation
consultation phase
Buffalo City Municipality has consulted extensively with all the relevant
stakeholders during Phase-One of the process.
These included Communities, Business, NGO’s, Faith Based
Organisations, Tertiary Institutions and Traditional Leaders.
The Institution through the Director of Executive Support Services, Mr.
Vuyo Zambodla has on the 18th December 2009 submitted MDB-2 Form
to the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB).
This form meant that the Municipal Demarcation Board will take the
input from Buffalo City Municipality and put it in the Provincial Gazette and
will be open for 14 days for the public to make objections.
Buffalo City Municipality is one of the few Municipalities that submitted
MDB2 forms and this means there will not be follow-up meetings with the
representatives of MDB.
The Joint Steering & Technical Committee is now busy facilitating the
second Phase of this process that will eventually prepare Buffalo City
Municipality for a Metro Status.
Portfolio Head responsible for Corporate Services Councillor Sizwe Dikomolo
address community members whilst Councillor Kolisile Mpupusi takes notes during
the second phase of the Ward Delimitation public consultation meeting held in
Mdantsane Indoor Sport Centre.

BCM staff urged to embrace Football Fridays
Buffalo City’s Councillors and Officials at the launch of BCM Football Friday
In line with the ongoing initiative
to rally behind the nation’s efforts to
host a successful soccer world cup,
Buffalo City 2010 recently launched
‘Yellow Football Friday’ at the East
London City Hall.
Football Friday is aimed at
encouraging staff to wear yellow
national soccer jerseys on Fridays
in an effort to drum up support for
national football squad Bafana
Bafana ahead of the 2010 FIFA
World Cup.
Former Bafana Bafana star
Brendon Augustine presented a
ceremonial Bafana Bafana jersey
to the Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku
to officially launch the campaign.
According to the City’s 2010
office, the campaign will run until
the start of the World Cup with prize
giveaways to various Directorates
that embraced Football Fridays
fever.
Engineering Services launch key infrastructural Projects
The City’s Engineering Directorate was on a Service Delivery drive to
launch infrastructural projects in King William’s Town and Mdantsane in
November last year.
The projects which include sanitation projects in Zinyoka, a bridge
between Bonke and Zwelitsha and road construction in Mdantsane were
identified by communities during Integrated Development Plans hearings.
Speaking at the Izinyoka Village, Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku said:
“The City is happy that the people of Zinyoka welcomed these ablution
facilities and have worked together with the contractors in making this
project a success.
It is always a pleasure to see people delighted at receiving Municipal
services,” she added. Approximately 123 local men and women were
employed at the development project.
Funds of R19-million were sourced from the Municipal Infrastructure
Grant (MIG).
The visits to these projects ended with a tour of the Mdantsane Road
Upgrade, Reeston Electrical Substation and Duncan Village Road Upgrade.
Speaking at the Zone 10 road construction site, the Portfolio Head for
Engineering, Luntu Bobo, said: “This tour serves as [an observation] of how
far the department has gone with its projects and the efforts we have made
to bring services to people.”
Portfolio Head responsible for Engineering Services Councillor Luntu Bobo celebrates with a community member at the launch of flushing
toilets in Mdantsane informal settlement.
4

Executive Mayor brings smiles to City’s needy
Buffalo City Executive Mayor,
Zukisa Faku paid a visit to hospitals
in and around the city to bring
festive cheer to children who have
been hospitalized during this festive
season.
The visit was part of the Annual
Mayoral Christmas Outreach Programme
aimed at spreading messages
of hope and goodwill to city’s
needy and vulnerable.
The delegation comprising of
City Councillors and Officials visited
Grey and Bhisho hospitals
before heading to Cecilia Makiwane
and Frere hospitals in East
London, where they were greeted
BCM’s Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku hand over goody bag to a child at Grey Hospital.
One-on-One with the Executive Mayor
by appreciative similes from staff,
parents and children.
Faku handed out toys and
goody packs containing sweets
and chocolates to the sick children.
The Executive Mayors social responsibility
programme also included
a lunch with 500 elderly persons
residing in Buffalo City area.
Speaking at the elderly person’s
lunch held at the East London City
Hall Executive Mayor said: “If it
were up to me I’d call every elderly
person in Buffalo City to a stadium
and provide food parcels for all of
you, I want everyone to be happy
on Christmas,” said Faku
EXACTLY a year since her appointment as Buffalo City Executive
Mayor, the Executive Mayor spoke about the City’s challenges and
prospects for the new year and this is what she had to say. The
interview appeared on the Daily Dispatch.
What can Buffalo City residents expect in the New Year?
This year is going to be a good year for Buffalo City. First of all, it was
my anniversary. I was sworn in as executive mayor exactly a year ago,
on January 14. It’s going to be a good year in terms of putting in place
all the service delivery issues. In my State of the City address you will
remember I had my key priority areas. But we didn’t manage them well
last year. But all systems are in place this year to move forward, so it’s
going to be a good year for the city in terms of sport, in terms of service
delivery, and in terms of customer care. I promised a rapid response unit.
We are planning to implement that this year. Once we have that rapid
response unit we will be able to quickly attend to the complaints. It will be
based in the municipal manager’s office.
What are some of the weaknesses in the administration
that need urgent attention?
It’s spending our budget. You’ll remember I said that I didn’t want any
rollovers last year. But it looks like there are going to be rollovers again.
But the directors have promising me they are going to speed up matters;
they’ve put a mechanism to speed up the spending.
Have you seen any improvements in some of those issues
you raised in your State of the City address, such as the
billing system, refuse collection, or infrastructure?
Yes, I’ve seen improvements, though not the way I wanted to. There
are challenges – our supply chain management (SCM) system is not in
place so projects are delayed but we are fixing that problem. We have
advertised and are filling the vacancies. Once our supply chain is up and
running, all the projects from the departments (will run). So the tendering
process is slow.
The supply chain management policy was challenged in
court last year. Have you resolved some of the issues that
were raised?
We have resolved all those things. We wanted to push a transformation
agenda. There was a pre-qualification system and we wanted to make
it a point that previously disadvantaged people get big contracts, but it
didn’t work. So we resolved as a Council and said let’s put it aside. So
after that the projects were quicker.
How is the new Acting Municipal Manager, doing?
Last year we had so many problems besides political challenges.
Administrative challenges were there because there was no one,
the centre couldn’t hold. There was no one who was looking at the
performance of the directors. So there is a person in charge now who is
pushing the directors. Things are going to be smoother this year.
Is his appointment making a difference?
Yes, it’s making a lot of difference because they (directors) are writing
reports. We know now what they are doing and where they are going
because they are reporting. It’s positive, everybody is working hard. So
there is a change.
On the municipal manager issue, what’s happening with the
high court case to have the appointment of a permanent
municipal manager set aside?
I think we will see an end to the case. But for stability purposes I will
ask the minister (of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs) for
at least six months (for the acting municipal manager) to assist the new
(permanent) manager so that the transition is smooth.
The refuse collection turnaround strategy is being
implemented. Are we seeing any movement in the hiring
of more staff?
I would like us to employ more staff because there are lots of vacancies
in that department. But I’m happy with the turnaround strategy. It will be
fully implemented in February. There’s a new schedule for all residents.
But some of the problems are caused by the residents themselves.
People don’t take out their refuse or some people forget the day and the
trucks go and people just put out their refuse afterwards. So we want
everybody to know the dates of collection. In February the new collection
days will become operational and will be advertised in the Daily Dispatch
and other media. Maybe we just need our truck drivers not to make noise
and be sensitive when people are sleeping. It’s their tradition when they
work, you know.
There were a number of political issues that affected the
administration last year. Have these affected the way you
carry out your duties as mayor?
I’m hoping to see an end to the political instability.
What are we doing to address issues like unemployment
affecting underprivileged areas like Duncan Village?
We need to use the Expanded Public Works Programme. We are
encouraging the unemployed youth to do something like putting up car
washes. At Mdantsane Highway, for example, there are people washing
cars and taxis but there’s no space for them. We will also employ more
people for grass cutting and refuse collection. That’s what I want to focus
on this year.
You mentioned the erroneous billing system – is it going to
be revamped totally?
No, it’s not going to be revamped. We’ve put in a system where
people are dedicated to dealing with complaints.
Have the Cameroonians made up their minds about being
based in East London for the 2010 World Cup?
Not yet. But there’s a 90 percent chance they are coming. They were
impressed with our facilities.
5

Get Tested This New Year: Learn Your HIV/AIDS Status
Not everyone knows their
HIV/AIDS status. When you do
not know your status and do not
use condoms when you have
sex, you are at risk of getting
HIV or giving it to your partner.
That is why you and your partner
should test together before you
have sex.
If the results of the first test say
that you do not have HIV/AIDS,
wait for three months and then
have another test. Then you will be
sure of your status. If you have sex
before the final test result, always
use condoms.
Get tested
You can look fine for many
years when you first have HIV/
AIDS in your body. The only way
to tell if you have HIV/AIDS is by
having the HIV/AIDS test.
Your right to counselling
You should go to a clinic when
you are thinking about having an
HIV/AIDS test.
The health worker will explain
the test to you, and give you the
information that will help you decide
whether or not to have the test.
This is called pre-test
counselling. It is your right to have
pre-test counselling.
Should you decide to test for
HIV/AIDS, the health worker will
take a sample of your blood. Most
clinics can give you the results of
the test within ten minutes. The
HIV/AIDS test is free at government
clinics.
After the test, the health worker
will give you your results and
explain what the results mean to
you. This includes explaining to you
what to do next if your results are
HIV/AIDS positive.
This is called post-test
counselling, it is your right to get
post-test counselling.
Your right to confidentiality
The results of your HIV/AIDS
test are confidential. This means
that it is against the law for a health
worker to tell anyone the results of
your test without your permission.
Remember: If you are HIV/AIDS
positive it is your not to tell
anyone. But it may comfort you
to tell someone you trust.
A community member is being tested for HIV/AIDS
The results of your HIV/AIDS
test are confidential. This means
that it is against the law for a health
worker to tell anyone the results of
your test without your permission.
Remember: If you are HIV/AIDS
positive it is your not to tell
anyone. But it may comfort you
to tell someone you trust.
Source:
www.onelovesouthernafrica.org
International soccer teams inspect City facilities
BCM Executive Mayor, Councillor Zukisa Faku with the Cameroon delegation
Cameroon Football Association
(CFA) was a latest international
delegation to visit Buffalo City
shores in a mission to inspect
the City’s football facilities,
accommodation and health centres
The visit by the CFA was
a follow-up of a recent trip to
Cameroon, led by Buffalo City
Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku, to
lobby the Indomitable Lions, to
consider East London as a Team
Base Camp and Training Venue for
the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The Cameroon Minister of
Sport & Physical Education, Michel
Zoah, nominated a delegation led
by the first vice-president of the
Cameroon Football Association,
David Mayebi to assess the viability
of considering East London as their
Team Base Camp and Training
Venue during 2010 FIFA World
Cup.
The Cameroonians were not
the only qualified country for 2010
Soccer World Cup to visit the
Municipality. Australia and Slovakia
were recently in town to survey the
City as a potential Base Camp and
Training Venue for the their football
teams.
The City has identified
Buffalo City Stadium (former
ABSA stadium) and Buffalo
Park as Training Venues for the
participating teams in the 2010
Soccer World Cup.
6

CROSSWORD AND STAFF MATTERS
Q – When does my sick leave cycle start and end?
A. It is a three year cycle that starts from your permanent date of appointment. For example, if you started on 1 April 2008 then your cycle would
be as follows:
1 April 2008 to 31 March 2011
1 April 2011 to 31 March 2014
Q. How many days sick leave do I get?
A. Employees receive 80 working days sick leave up front over a 3 year cycle.
Q. What happens if my sick leave is exhausted?
A. You can apply in writing to the General Manager of Human Resources for the additional sick leave benefit if you are suffering from a chronic
illness. The additional days that can be granted are as follows:
30 working days on full pay
30 working days on half pay
Q. When do I need to produce a doctor’s certificate?
Sick Leave Benefits
A. You need to produce a doctor’s certificate if the sick leave is for more than 2 working days or if you have already taken sick leave on more
than 2 occasions within the previous 8 weeks. In addition, you need to produce a Doctor’s certificate when required by your supervisor.
Q. When do I need to notify my supervisor that I am sick?
A. You are required to notify your supervisor before 10h00 if you are unable to attend work for any reason (including sickness)
Q. Why is it important not to abuse the sick leave benefit?
A. 1) It is a disciplinary offense to take sick leave if you are not sick and may lead to disciplinary action being taken against you
2) When you are not at work it costs the Municipality in lost time and it puts a strain on your fellow workers. The Community suffers as a
full service is not delivered
3) Abuse of sick leave reduces your sick leave total which you may need in case of severe illness.
For further info on sick leave, please feel free to contact the Leave Section in Human Resources on ext. 2760.
Further benefits will be discussed in future issues of the newsletter.
R200 up for grabs
The winner of crossword puzzle in our last edition is Mike Harrison from Design Services drawn by Simphiwe Seti, Manager: Integrated
Development Plan (IDP). Well done! Your R200 prize is on its way to you. Complete the crossword and you could win yourself R200. Send your
answers with full name and contact details to the Communication department, Ground floor Customer Care Centre, Cnr Oxford and North Streets.
NB: The competition is open only to Buffalo City Municipality Employees!
1
CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1. Give the name of Cameroon’s Minister of Sport & Physical Education (6)
2. On which day was the Ironman 70.3 held? (6)
3. Who is the MBD’s Chief Executive Officer? Name only. (7)
4. In which month last year were the Buffalo City Fire Department honoured with an
Award? (8)
5. Who is Buffalo City’s Acting Chief Fire Officer? Name only. (6)
6. Which former Bafana Bafana player presented BCM’s Executive Mayor with
ceremonial Bafana Bafana jerseys? Name only. (7)
2
2
4
3 4
3
5
DOWN
1. Who is the new Acting Municipal Manager of BCM? Surname only (6)
2. Which delegation visited BCM’s soccer facilities? (8)
3. In which City was the Acting Municipal Manager a Regional Director before his
appointment at BCM? (12)
4. Which Award did Buffalo City Fire Department get last year? (7)
5. Who is the Vice-President of the Cameroon Football Association? Surname only (6)
6. Who is the Airports Company of East London’s Chief Fire Officer? Name only (6)
5
6
6
7

Ironman race organisers give BCM thumbs up
Buffalo City Municipality was thanked by Spec Savers 70.3 Ironman
triathlon organisers for the role it played in ensuring that the race became
a success.
The Ironman triathlon race which attracts athletes and fans from as far
afield as Europe and America was held for the third time in Buffalo City at
the East London Orient Beach on January 17.
The strenuous contest sees a 1.9km swim off the Orient Beach, followed
by a 90km cycle race, and topped off with a 21km run.
Ironman triathlon race director Paul Wolff said the city has played
significant role in ensuring that the much-need infrastructure during the
race was in good condition.”
“The municipality’s logistics department did a fantastic job by patching
up the roads, especially the road near the beach. As a result we had fewer
punctures than we had last year,”
Speaking at the pre-race media briefing, Buffalo City’s Executive Mayor
Zukisa Faku said the City’s proud to be associated with Ironman Triathlon
race. “The Municipality was grateful to be hosting a race tournament with
international names in our City. This will boost the city’s profile of being a
sport destination of choice.”
In this year race two new champions emerged - Fraser Cartmell and
Mari Rabie. Scotland’s Cartmell, who trains in Stellenbosch, in Western
Cape, was the first man across the finish line, with a time of four hours,
seven minutes and 54 seconds. He was followed a minute later by South
African James Cunnama.
Africa Open expose BCM to the
world
Competitors are getting ready for the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon
The 2009 Africa Open,
successfully co-hosted by Buffalo
City in January, delivered a global
gross international media value of
nearly £1.9-million for the sponsors
and the Eastern Cape region.
This value included live
coverage of the event, delayed
coverage, news coverage and
highlights packages in Europe,
Africa and the Middle East.
The local brand exposure -
television, radio and print- was just
over R17-million.
A total of 290 local jobs were
created by the 2010 Africa Open.
This is in addition to the boom in
accommodation establishments
and economic spinoffs that the
international visitors plough to local
businesses.
The 2010 Africa Open started
off at the East London Golf Club,
with international names including
Darren Clarke and Richard Sterne
playing on the green.
Welcoming spectators and
guests to the tournament, Buffalo
City Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku
said: “We want everyone in the City
to feel that the Africa Open belongs
to them.”
Speaking ahead of the
tournament she said: “The
tournament will showcase the City
and its people to sports lovers
throughout the world. We hope
that what they see is a dynamic,
multicultural community and a
sophisticated destination that is
ideal for events such as this.”
South African golfer Charl Schwartzel
“The Africa Open gives us an
anchor sporting event that ensures
East London is never far from
the minds of international sports
organisers and administrators.
It gives us the opportunity to
showcase our infrastructure and
amenities, and to demonstrate to
the world that we are capable of
hosting international sports events
of a high calibre.
“As co-hosts of the Africa
Open, we are thrilled that East
London is not only attracting worldclass
players, but continues to
demonstrate the unquestionable
professionalism befitting the nature
of this tournament.
The tournament director, Mbali
Ngqula added: “We have always felt
that East London deserves a worldclass
professional tournament and
we were determined to see that it
gets one.”
South African golfer Charl
Schwartzel won his first Africa
Open on Sunday, 10 January at
par-73.
Schwartzel took home the one
million euro (about R10,5-million)
prize after taking a single stroke at
the 18th hole at the East London
Golf Club. “It was not the ideal tee
shot when I pushed it right on 18,”
he said.
The Africa Open in East London
was Schwartzel’s fourth European
Tour win. He took the 2004-5 Alfred
Dunhill Championship, the 2007
Open de Espana and the 2008
Madrid.
Buffalo City Update is published by Communications Department • Editorial Team: Keith Ngesi, Samkelo Ngwenya and Samkelo Gqeba
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