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BUFFALO CITY
METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
BCMM
East London • King William’s Town • Bhisho
SEPTEMBER
Vol Nº 9: Monthly coverage of news and events in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
Executive Mayor
opens cattle dipping tank
in Altile Village By Samkelo Gqeba and Xolile Bengeza
In a bid to enhance rural economic
development, Buffalo City Metro in
partnership with the Provincial Department
of Agriculture handed over a newly built
cattle dipping tank to Altile farmers and the
community, on September 27.
The Executive Mayor Zukiswa
Ncitha officially opened the dipping
tank, including other agricultural
development projects such as
land care, fencing of arable land
and camps in the Altile village.
According to BCMM Head of
Agriculture and Rural Development
Thembakazi Nqodi Altile
Village is highly suitable
for livestock production,
maize and vegetable.
Nqodi said the Metro
in partnership with the
Provincial Agricultural
Department is
providing support
to Altile small
farmers through
its Agricultural
S u p p o r t
programmes
d e d i c a t e d
towards Emerging
Farmers.
“BCMM and the
VISIT US ON: www.buffalocity.gov.za
Provincial Department of Agriculture decided
to implement various projects to uplift
emerging farmers of the area. Amongst the
projects being implemented, includes a R270
000 for fencing off eroded camps, R260
263 for control erosion in the grazing land
and R500 000 for a cattle dipping tank
project,” said Nqodi.
Provincial Agriculture Regional Director
in the Amathole and Buffalo City Metro
area, Kenneth Mafu said his department
has committed R1.9-million to implement
key agricultural projects in Altile Village.
“With these projects, we want to create
job opportunities for local people and
promote agriculture as a way of
making sustainable income in
this area.”
Addressing residents of
Altile, BCMM Executive
Mayor, Zukiswa Ncitha said
they must use their land to
economically benefit them.
“In the Eastern Cape we
don’t have mines but
what we have is land,
so we must use the
land to economically
benefit us. A
delegation from China
recently visited our
city to explore various
agricultural investment
BCMM Executive Mayor, Zukiswa Ncitha cutting a
ribbon to officially open a dipping tank in Altile.
opportunities available. They told us that they
are interested to invest in beef cattle so you
must ensure that when they arrive, you are
ready,” Ncitha told the village residents.
The Executive Mayor urged residents to take
ownership of the dipping tank to ensure that it
is not vandalised and is well maintained, so
that it can benefit all farmers.
One community member James Matros
welcomed the tank saying it will make their
lives much easy. “I am glad that this dipping
tank has been done because we have had
to travel long distances to reach nearest
dipping tanks in the past. I want to thank
the Municipality for building this tank and
we hope that our additional request will be
attended to,” he said.
Cattle dipping tanks play a pivotal role in
curbing live stock diseases, like foot and
mouth diseases which can have disastrous
effect on emerging farmers.
BCMM September • Vol 9

REMEMBER YOUR POWER
Minister of Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba
during the 49M drive
Minister Gigaba urges
save
BCMM residents to
electricity
By: Samkelo Gqeba
“
If you don’t use electricity appliances
switch them off.” This was the messages
Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba
delivered when he visited Mdantsane as
part of the 49M National electricity saving
road-show on September 29.
Minister Gigaba was addressing more than
2500 crowd members, who gathered at
the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane
to learn more about 49M, South Africa’s
Energy Efficiency Campaign.
As part of the campaign, the Minister visited
three houses where he exchanged old light
bulbs with the new energy efficient light
bulbs, supplied by Eskom.
During the visit to the houses, the Minister
was accompanied by BCMM Portfolio
Head of Engineering Services, Councillor
Zukisa Faku, local ward councillors, Eskom
Chief Executive Officer Brian Dames and
senior officials from the Department Public
Enterprises.
In his address, Gigaba called on residents
to support the call by 49M to create an
energy efficient South Africa.
“The behavioural change in the way
South Africans were using electricity will
contribute towards efforts by Eskom to
Portfolio Head of Engineering Services
Councillor Faku, signing a pledge
committing to save electricity while the
Minister is witnessing the proceedings
BCMM September • Vol 8
Page 2
A City Growing With You
REMEMBER YOUR POWER

educe constraints on the country’s power
system. I am urging you to follow simple
electricity saving tips such as switching to
energy-saving light bulbs and switching off
appliances that are not in use instead of
leaving them on standby.”
The Minister added that: “When using
electricity between five and nine in the
evenings, this is time when the country uses
the most electricity. This puts a strain to the
power system as all these activities happen
simultaneously. But if we start becoming
mindful of how we use electricity when we
get home, it will bring relief to the grid and
in return residents will see reductions in
electricity bills”, he said.
Minister Gigaba concluded his speech by
urging residents to report illegal connections
and cable theft.
Speaking at the event BCMM Portfolio
Head of Engineering Services, Councillor
Zukisa Faku concured with the Minister’s
call for residents to report illegal connections
and cable theft.
“Illegal connection and cable
theft impact negatively on the
ability of the municipality to
render effective and efficient
electricity services to residents.
We are calling on residents
to report Izinyoka to relevant
authorities. - Cllr. Zukisa Faku
“
The Minister, Portfolio Head of Engineering
Services; Councillor Faku, Local Ward
Councillor all signed a pledge committing to
save electricity within the Metro.
After the formalities the crowd were
entertained by 49 m campaign ambassadors,
award-winning DJ Oskido and television
presenter Zizo Beda.
REMEMBER YOUR POWER
caught
on camera
Minister of Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba leading
Councillors and Officials during a door to door campaign
as part of the 49M drive held in Mdantsane
REMEMBER YOUR POWER
Page 3
A City Growing With You
BCMM September • Vol 9

Bhisho massacre
victims remembered
By Portia Jola
EC Premier, Noxolo Kiviet, flanked by MEC of Sports Arts and Culture, Xoliswa Tom
and Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Mashatile during the
Bhisho Massacre Commemoration
Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Mashatile officiating the construction of a Bhisho Massacre interpretative Centre
I
n their quest to fight for freedom, our
brothers and sisters were brutally killed
by the Ciskei Defence Force under the
command of Brigadier Oupa Gqozo on the
14th of September in 1992.
These were the words of apartheid
struggle stalwart, Ronnie Kasrils at the 20th
anniversary of Bhisho Massacre anniversary
held at Bhisho Stadium on September 7.
Kasrils who was part of the march narrated
the events of that painful day with tears
rolling down his eyes.
“I remember very well that we had
permission for the sit-in at the Bhisho
Stadium that day, but we all don’t know what
happened. We heard gun shots fired just as
we were crossing the border of Ciskei,” he
adds.
“The march was peaceful, we never carried
any weapons and dangerous things with us,
all we wanted was the government to make
Ciskei part of the Republic of South Africa as
it was a homeland,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the MEC for Sport,
Arts, Culture and Recreation Xoliswa Tom
said she was grateful by the role played by
Bhisho Massacre victims in the fight against
apartheid.
“Today we are reaping the fruits of that day,
as we are free and living in a democratic
country, because of those brave men
and women who sacrificed their lives our
freedom.”
Welcoming guests at the event, Portfolio
Head for Integrated Development Plan
and Budget Councillor Mteteleli Sam said:
“Today we honour some of the brave people
of this province.”
He added that the day has been set aside
to celebrate the lives and sacrifice made by
the men and women who were at the march
on 7 September in 1992.
The Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul
Mashatile said that the Bhisho Massacre
Memorial is part of the country’s Liberation
Heritage Route.
Mashatile said that the route will be used
to tell stories of the struggle, stimulate local
economic development in centres where the
history of each heritage site will be told.
“Through the liberation route, the
department will ensure that all the
government departments play their roles
in developing all the sites which form part
of the route. “Our ultimate goal is to ensure
these sites are sustainable and bring change
in communities.”
Mashatile announced that the Bhisho
Massacre site, which will also have an
Interpretation Centre.
He said, that the centre will have a library,
an auditorium and a conference centre.
“This is going to be a three-storey building,
which wil utilise green energy, which we are
planning to open in September next year,”
he said. “In the centre we will have videos
telling a story of that day, books and other
important material about Bhisho Massacre.”
Speaking on behalf of the families of those
who died on the day Boyce Nqolo said: “We
are glad that you recognise this day as one of
the most important in the country’s calendar.
We miss our brothers and sisters who died
that day but through your support, today we
are hopeful that we will never suffer like we
did during the apartheid era.”
BCMM September • Vol 9
Page 4
A City Growing With You

is a
HiT
By Tabisa Mntengwana
I
t was all glitz and glamour in Buffalo
City Metro, at the inaugural East London
Fashion Fair as young fashion designers
showcased their latest trends, with the iconic
shweshwe print, the star of the designs.
There were 36 young designers at the
inaugural East London Fashion Fair, which
took place at the East London City Hall
on Friday, 31 August. The show was a
collaboration between Buffalo City Metro,
Walter Sisulu University, the Eastern
Cape Development Corporation, Da
Gama Textiles, the Department of Sports,
Recreation, Arts and Culture, and Eastern
Cape’s arts and culture.
The theme was Africa Meets West. Among
the designers were three Walter Sisulu
University alumni.
Speaking at the show, Executive Mayor
Zukiswa Ncitha said: “The fair is aimed at
showcasing the famous shweshwe print
which is synonymous with the Eastern Cape
and Xhosa culture.
“It is an opportunity to utilise the fair to not
only showcase shweshwe print but also to
showcase local fashion designers from the
city.” It would allow local designers to be
recognised locally and internationally. Ncitha
also commended the City’s partnership with
the various stakeholders. “The partnership
has made it possible for the grand prize
winner to showcase their work at the South
African Encounters Initiative in Oldenburg,
Germany.”
Marketing director of Da Gama Textiles
Helen Bester said: “I was absolutely blown
away. I am so happy with the designs and
interpretation at the event. Our idea of getting
all these young designers involved worked so
well and we are pleased with the outcome.”
Grand prize winner Luyolo Fusa was
delighted when his name was called. “This
is one of the best times of my life. I had
never thought that this day would come.”
Fusa won a R1 000 voucher, an industrial
iron, an industrial machine and an industrial
overlocker. Second prize winner Nomalungisa
Vezi and third prize winner Thembalethu
Mtshungwana received R500 and R250
vouchers, respectively.
Winner of the East London Fashion Fair, Luyolo Fusa (in the middle wearing white shirt) With him were
(from left) the marketing executive of Da Gama, Helen Bester, Department of Sport Recreations, Arts and
Culture MEC Xoliswa Tom, Luyolo Fusa, a model, and BCM Executive Mayor, Zukiswa Ncitha.
BCMM Executive Mayor, Zukiswa Ncitha officially
opening the revamped East London Foshini store
located in Oxford Street.
In 2011, the store was effected by a flash fire, and
it was temporarly closed due to renovations.
Page 5
A City Growing With You
BCMM September • Vol 9

BCMM
success
Casual Day drive a
B
CMM staff members heeded the call
to contribute to a worthy cause by
purchasing a total of 300 stickers for
causal day. The proceeds from sticker sales
which amount to R3000 will go towards
projects benefiting persons with disabilities.
The project organiser, Valda van Heerden
from Human Resource department thanked
the staff involved in the sticker sales team
for their hard work and dedication. She also
thanked Buffalo City Metro employees for
their heartfelt financial contribution towards
the needy, in our society.
Highest ticket sales go to Candice
Bahlmann and the best picture to Traffic
Department.
Community Services
Human Resource Management
Traffic Services
Best picture goes to BCMM Traffic Department
City Planning
Amenities
City Planning
Licensing Department
Electricity Department
Page 6
A City Growing With You

Mdantsane Disabled woman get
solar geyser
By: Portia Jola
M
dantsane Disabled woman will now
have warm water after a solar geyser
was installed in her home, thanks to
Ward 11 Councillor Sakhumzi Caga initiative
of reaching out to communities.
Nosiphiwo Madzidzela from unit 2 in
Mdantsane could not begin to express the
joy she had about having hot water in her
home. “When I saw the Dako Salor Geyser
Company arrive this morning and I was so
happy, now I am looking at buying myself a
bath basin to enjoy the hot water,” she said.
This was part of Ward 11 local Councilor
Sakhumzi Caga’s recent initiative aimed at
bringing services closer to the people.
Councilor Caga invited various government
departments and agencies to talk about
their services and also to afford residents an
opportunity to raise their concerns regarding
government services.
The meeting held at Nu2 Rent offices was
attended by municipal and government
officials and residents of ward 11.
About 50 blankets were donated to elderly
people and a Women’s Sewing Project
also benefited when they received new
sewing machines and two solar geysers
were installed in the N.U.5 clinic and into a
disabled woman’s house.
“You are our primary mandates, if we
continue to arrange meetings like these
as councillors in our community, we can
be able to fight poverty and crime. These
meetings afford councillors an opportunity
BCMM Councillor Sakhumzi Caga (Right) during the handover of the solar geyser to Mdantsane disabled woman
to better understand the needs of our
communities and be able to respond to
them,” said Caga. He told the gathering
that the Municipality was planning to install
solar geyser in each and every household in
Mdantsane in an effort to change the lives
of people for the better. Giving advice to the
Youth, Nkosinathi Mbuthuma from BCMM
Youth Advisory Centre based in Mdantsane
spoke about various services offered by the
centre to young people. “The youth centre
assists young people with advice and
information on how to choose a right career
and getting a job. We urge young people to
visit our centre and use its facilities such as
a computer lab with free access to internet,”
said Mbuthuma.
BCMM Councillor Sakhumzi Caga with members of the Womans Sewing Project
Page 7
A City Growing With You
BCMM September • Vol 9

Metro bid farewell to
Nursing
Departmen
By: Xolile Bengeza
B
uffalo City Metro Councillors,
Management and Officials came in
numbers to bid farewell to the primary
health nursing staff members that have
been transferred to the Provincial Health
Department.
The Metro’s Health and Public Safety
hosted a farewell at the East London Zoo on
the 1st of September.
The primary health nursing staff members
were part of the Metro’s Health and Public
Safety directorate. The staff members
were moved after the Provincial Health
Department decided to take over all primary
health services, which were offered by
Municipalities in the province.
The transfer was implemented on the 1st of
July this year.
The BCMM Director of Health and Public
Safety, Vuyani Lwana wished the nursing
staff well in their move to the Provincial
Health Department.
“It’s very hard to say goodbye to people
that you have work with over the years, but
it was a privilege to work with the nursing
department. I am happy that some of the
issues that you were not happy with when
you were part of the municipality such as;
uniform allowance, I managed to solve
them. You must share the knowledge and
experience you gained in Buffalo City with
your new colleagues. I want you to set new
standards and be a good example,” said
Lwana.
Addressing the nurses Councillor Mzwandile
Vaaibom said they play a very important
role in the well-being of the community they
serve.
“Provision of quality Health services is one
of the national priorities and without you, we
cannot achieve this. As decision-makers, we
want to make sure that the conditions you
are working under are conducive so that
you can continue to provide this important
service to our people.”
BCMM Director of Health and Public Safety,
Vuyani Lwana speaking during the farewell
Primary Health staff members during the farewell at the East London Zoo
One of the old serving nursing staff member
Ntombesine Zitha who started to work for the
Municipality in 1989 had this to say about
her move to the Province: “What makes
me happy about the move is that there are
no changes on our operations; we will be
continuing to work with the community that
we were serving before,” said Zitha.
Right, Councillor Mzwandile Vaaibom with the dignitaries during the farewell of primary health staff
BCMM June September • Vol 1• Vol 9
Page 8
A City Growing With You

Workshop held to discuss
employee performance
management system
By Portia Jola
In an effort to unpack the role of Performance
Management System (PMS) in Buffalo
City Metro, the Provincial Department of
Local Government and Traditional Affairs
recently hosted a consultative session at
Latimas landing in East London.
The workshop was attended by Councillors,
Human Resource Management and union’s
representative from IMATU and SAMWU.
The main objective of the session was
to discuss ways to implement employee
performance management system in Buffalo
City Metro.
According to the Department of Local
Government and Traditional Affairs, PMS
briefly reflect on the phases of individual
performance management and highlighting
potential benefits of employee performance
management to the Municipality.
The Department said PMS provide
mechanism for monitoring performance
of departments and municipal officials,
rewarding good performance and correcting
under performance.
Speaking about BCMM Employee
Provisioning Policy, Acting Director of
Corporate Services Louis Wulff said the
policy is designed specifically to support the
attraction and retention of staff in the Buffalo
City Metropolitan Municipality.
“The policy is applicable to all positions in
Buffalo City Municipality, both internal and
external and to all the councillors, managers
and employees involved in recruitment,
selection and assessment of applicants”.
Adding on the employee’s performance
management system, Dr Mkhululi Nkohla
said it intends to align individual goals to
institutionalise goals.
He said it seeks to ensure that the employee
are capacitated so that they can perform
their functions efficiently and effectively.
Second from left: BCMM Acting Director of
Corporate Services, Louis Wulff with BCMM
Human Resource staff during the PMS workshop
IT college
donates
books to
Mdantsane
Library
By: Samkelo Gqeba
A
n East London based college, CCS IT
Training, donated 150 IT & Computer
Books to Mdantsane Library as part
of this year National Book Week.
CCS has been information technology
training provider for over 13 years for
corporate companies, government and the
general public.
Amongst the books donated by the
institution to the Mdantsane library included
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+,
Microsoft 2007 Learning Resources and
Web Development.
Senzo Luthuli from CCS IT Training
said the Book Donation was part of their
initiative to give back to the community.
“It’s very exciting for us that we are taking
part in the National Book Week celebration
that is happening around the country. The
Mdantsane Library has a very small section
for IT and Computer Books, and we hope
this donation will go a long way as there
is going to be more awareness about IT &
Computer Literacy,” said Luthuli. He added
that they are looking at donating computers
in their next charity projects.
Chief Librarian at the Mdantsane library
Bulelwa Mtenjwa, said she was excited
about the donations because it will go a
long way in assisting students with their
assignment and projects.
National Book Week held during September,
is an annual premier platform through which
government, the book sector; media and
civil society establish dynamic partnerships
for the promotion of the culture of reading.
Mdantsane’s Chief Librarian, Bulelwa Mtenjwa (Right) with the representitives from the CSS IT department
Page 9
A City Growing With You
BCMM September • Vol 9

By Xolile Bengeza
A
s we approach summer holidays,
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
Tourism Department is calling on staff
members and citizen’s in general to travel
within their own city and explore its tourist
attraction points.
The Metro Tourism Department recently
embarked on a fact finding mission to gather
information about various tourist attraction
points around the City.
The tour was an information gathering
exercise which seeks amongst other things
to foster good working relationship with the
tourism industry players.
As September is national Tourism Month,
South Africans are encouraged to travel
within their own country and to get a better
understanding of the affordable and exciting
attractions available to them on their own
doorstep.
Tourism Month is aimed at encouraging
more people to embark on leisure activities
and, in so doing, to increase the number of
domestic holiday trips and tourism spend
in all nine provinces, while contributing to a
critical sector of the country’s economy.
The team tour kick-started with a visit to
Mpongo Park where they saw wild animals
such as lions and tigers, and they viewed
the facilities on offer.
The next stop was to the Lion Park where
they saw different species like crocodiles,
lion curbs and peacock.
Their last stop was at the Arena Riverside
Resort where they experience the quad
biking and canoeing in the Kwelerha River.
Talking about the visit, BCMM Tourism
Officer Thandiswa George said:” This
exercise gave us a better knowledge of the
tourism products available within the BCMM
area. It will then be easier for the tourism
unit staff to answer any tourism-related
queries which could be asked. The tourism
unit staff will also be able to market their
City with pride as they have experience the
tourism products first hand.”
George added that the unit will share the
information with the BCMM employees in
order for them to be tourists in their own city
as well as to spread the word of mouth.
BCMM September • Vol 9
Page 10
A City Growing With You

BCMM goes green to celebrate
Arbor Week
By Samkelo Gqeba
H
undreds of rare and common
indigenous trees were planted at
schools around Buffalo City metro to
mark the National Arbor Week.
Every year, South Africa celebrates Arbor
Week from 1 to 7 September to raise
awareness about the importance and value
of trees in our lives. The theme for this year’s
campaign is “Our Forests - Our Future”.
Speaking about this year’s Arbour Week,
BCMM Manager of Integrated Environmental
Management, Kamva Qwede, said that
the municipality planted trees in various
schools to educate primary and high school
children about the importance of trees to the
environment.
“People have depended on trees through
the ages. They offer shelter and shade, are
a source of food, fuel, medicine, timber, and
also have numerous other uses. They are
essential for replenishing our oxygen supply
and taking in the atmosphere’s carbon
dioxide, a contributor to the greenhouse
effect,” said Qwede.
He added that: “By planting trees in
communities we are also helping to mitigate
the effects of global warming and climate
change. Trees can beautify the community
and promote biodiversity by providing diverse
habitats.”
Some of the schools that have taken part
in the tree planting are Stirling High school,
Zabalaza Primary in King Williams Town and
BCMM officials planting trees and educating learners on the importance of trees during Arbour Week
Songeza Primary in Mdantsane.
Indigenous trees planted by Buffalo City
metro were Loxostylis alata and Syzigium
cordatum.
According to the Integrated Environmental
Management Department some of the trees
planted are very rare species.
Arbor Week is a special week that has been
set aside for the planting and caring of trees.
Arbor Day originated in Switzerland during
the 15th century to raise awareness amongst
people about the importance of trees.
In South Africa, Arbor Day started in 1983
and in 1997 it was extended to a National
Arbor Week. In South Africa, Arbor Week falls
in the first week of September.
BCMM
educate
businesses
on waste
by-law
By Samkelo Gqeba
A
s part of the National Cleanup
Week, Buffalo City Metro Solid
Waste Department, embarked
on an information campaign to educate
businesses about the municipal waste
management by-law.
The Department noticed a disturbing trend
where business owners do not adhere to
the municipal regulations and dump refuse
illegally.
The theme for this campaign was: “your
waste is my business.” The solid waste
official’s visited various businesses in
King Williams Town, Mdantsane and East
London to educate and handout brochures
and refuse collection days.
Nomgcobo Msomi from Waste Minimization
Section said they discovered that some of
the businesses were not registered with the
department and this was illegal in terms of
the waste by-law.
“If a business owner is not registered with
us, that means we don’t collect his or her
waste and this leads to illegal dumping
which cause our city to be dirty.
During the campaign we gave out
information material containing refuse
collection days and what the owner needs
Page 11
A City Growing With You
to do in order to adhere to the waste
management by-law.”
Msomi said businesses owner welcomed
the campaign and they promised to adhere
to the waste by-law.
“If they adhere to the by-law this will make
our job easily as Solid Waste Management
and this will go a long way in ensuring
that our city is clean. BCMM Solid Waste
Manager Nosifundo Skweyiya said:” after
this campaign we are expecting businesses
owners to comply because they know what
is required from them in terms of the bylaw
.Our next step as the department is
to enforce the by-law by issuing out fines
to those who continue to violate it,” said
Skweyiya.
BCMM Solid Waste Officials ready to inspect
and educate businesses within the Metro
BCMM September • Vol 9

Metro Aids Council
launch awareness campaign
By: Xolile Bengeza
B
uffalo City Metro Aids Council (MAC)
recently launched an HIV and AIDS
pilot project called school behavioural
change programme at Sakhisizwe High
School in Nompumelelo Township.
The pilot seeks to raise awareness on
substance abuse, HIV and Aids and teenage
pregnancy.
The campaign was organised by the Metro
Special Programmes Unit, in which the MAC
falls under.
The objective of this programme is to
encourage learners resist peer pressure, delay
sexual interactions and also reduce new HIV
and AIDs infections among school children.
In the Eastern Cape Province the National
household survey showed that on average
2.5 % of children below the age of 18 years
are HIV positive.10.8% of children between
the ages of 12 – 14 years old have engaged
in sexual activities in the past twelve months
and 26 % of females between the ages of 12
– 18 years have a sexual partner which is five
years older than them.
BCMM Special Programmers Unit HIV and
AIDS coordinator Kholeka Makalima said The
early sexual debut is linked to youth being
less likely to use contraceptives leading to
unplanned pregnancies.
“It is evident from the recent picture published
on a popular social network that the very same
high population (youth) which is highly affected
and infected negatively by the impact of HIV
and AIDS is also engaged in high risk behavior
such as substance abuse,” she said.
Makalima said they will roll out the programme
to other parts of the Metro, targeting school
children.
Learners of Sakhisizwe High School in Nompumelelo Township listening during the AIDS campaign
EL Zoo gets new
4x 4 Bakkie
By Portia Jola
A
new state-of the-art 4x4 Bakkie was
handed over to the Zoo Department by
the Metro Fleet Management to assist
in the transportation of cows from farmers to
the Zoo.
The Zoo department was using a normal
Bakkie and they were struggling to transport
cows because they need more man power to
load and unload the cows.
The driver at the EL Zoo, Oyama Sibaya said
they won’t need man power when transporting
cows to the Zoo because the new Bakkie has
machine to load and unload the cows.
“This 4 X 4 Bakkie could not have come at a
better time, we are hoping for great productivity
hence the new automated Bakkie which will
only require one or two people, as this will be
done by the machines installed in the Bakkie”
BCMM General Manager of Amenities and
Environmental Services Kholekile Tapile said
BCMM September • Vol 9
BCMM Officials of the Fleet Management Section, present Community Service Directorate with the new Bakkie
he was impressed with the capabilities of
the new bakkie. “From today onwards, I will
stop worrying about the possibility of one of
my collegues getting injured trying to pull off
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A City Growing With You
a cow, I know now there are pulling winches
to help pull the cow straight into the Bakkie,”
he said.

IDP session
held to
discuss
Service
delivery
By: Xolile Bengeza
I
mproving the delivery of services to
the people, was on the agenda when
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
recently met with representatives from
various government institutions.
The intergovernmental relations (IGR)
session was organised by the Metro
IDP and Budget Integration Department
and it was held at the Regent Hotel in
East London. Attending the session
were representatives from national and
BCMM Officials and Government Department representitives during an IDP IGR session
provincial government departments.
The IGR session is part of the metro
IDP and Budget stakeholder consultation
programmes which aims to enhance
Service Delivery and encourage citizen
involvement in local government. Key
amongst the objective of the session was
to improve relations and joint planning
between the metro and various government
departments.
BCMM Municipal Manager Andile Fani
said the session need to come up with bold
decision that will ensure that the metro is
developed.
“We need to change the face of this
municipality by taking decisions that
will promote development. In order to
achieve this goal, we need participation
of each and every stakeholder. We need
to take serious decisions about proposed
developmental nodes like the Mount Ruth
Nodal Precinct.”
Workshop held to
update Councillors on
Land Audit
By: Portia Jola
T
he Metro Directorate of Development
Planning and Local Economic
Development organised a workshop
to update councillors on the land audit
process.
The South African Local Government
Association (SALGA) appealed to all
Municipalities to conduct a Land Audit to
identify Municipal-owned land in order to
lease it as per regulations.
Speaking to BCMM Monthly about the
workshop General Manager of Development
Planning, Andile Mshumpela said they
wanted to reflect on the issues raised by
Councillors on their last gathering in Mpongo
Park.
“In this workshop we want to explain some
of the issues raised by councillors regarding
the land audit process. The discussions also
included land that has been set aside in the
Metro for business purposes. Portfolio head
for the IDP and Development Planning,
Coucillor Mteteleli Sam, said the municipal
Left: Siphiwo Bam, Manager Land Administration, Middle: Andile Mshumpela General Manager,
Development Planning, Right: Portfolio Head for IDP and Development Planning, Councillor Mteteleli Sam
land lease register will be available for
councillors to check it. “As the department
we are going to issue a lease register so that
councillors can be aware of the land that
is leased to foreigners and the duration of
the lease. The Metro GIS demonstrated to
Councillors ways to view land in their areas
using intranet.
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A City Growing With You
BCMM September • Vol 9

Disability issues
under spotlight
By Xolike Bengeza
M
embers of the Buffalo City Metro
Disability Forum recently met to
discuss and share information at
a session held in Bhisho at Skenjana Roji
Hall. About 80 persons from various disability
stakeholders including ward committee
members responsible for disability, government
departments and Commissioner of Gender
and Equality attended the session.
Buffalo City Metro Disability Forum was
launched in 2005 and it aims to include
disabled people in the Metro’s development
programmes.
The BCMM Disability Forum is representative
of various disability structures and external
stakeholders and engages in dialogue with
the disability sector and the Metro in order to
guide the institutionalization of disability issues
within the BCMM Integrated Development
Plan (IDP).
The vision of the BCMM Disability Strategy
vision is: “to create an environment which
supports and enables persons with disabilities
to fulfil their maximum potential.”
BCMM Special Programmes Manager
Shaun Petzer said the strategy is informed
and guided by disability legislation and policy
frameworks.
“BCMM emphasises the importance of
a paradigm shift from viewing disability
as a medical perspective, but rather to
address disability within a human rights
and developmental approach. The Metro
is committed to work with the disability
community in order to ensure that disability
A member of BCMM disability forum raising an issue during a session held in Bhisho
issues are not excluded from the mainstream
society, but are considered within the general
society and have access to fundamental
social, political and economic rights.
Speaking at the session, a representitive
from the Commission of Gender Equality,
Portia Ndileka Loyilana, said it was important
for disable people to be part of these sessions
so that their issues can get attention.
“You need to engage with the municipality
about your needs, I usually conduct visits to
government buildings to check whether they
are disable-friendly. I am always shocked to
discover that most of the buildings in rural
areas are in bad state and not given priority.”
Loyilana urged disable people to be part of
the municipal planning process so that they
can influence decisions.
“You must be involved in programmers
like IDP and special programmes planning
process because we want the Municipality to
fund NGO’s that are looking after the interest
of disabled people.”
The session will be followed up with a further
training and capacitating to be organised
by the Commission for Gender Equality on
issues of gender, disability and vulnerability in
general.
Staff celebrates heritage month
September marks the annual Heritage
month in South Africa and the 24th
of this month was declared a public
holiday under the Public Holidays Act of
1994.
Heritage month recognises aspects of South
African culture and heritage which are both
tangible and intangible, creative expression
such as music and performances, our
historical inheritance, language, spirituality,
sacred sites, indigenous food and popular
memory.
Buffalo City Metro staff members joined the
South African communities in celebrating
the heritage month by wearing traditional
garments. The theme of this year heritage
month was:”Celebrating the Heroes and
Heroines of the liberation struggle in South
Africa”.
BCMM September • Vol 9
BCMM Human Resource Department staff celebrating Heritage Day
Page 14
A City Growing With You

Metro reviews Spatial Development
and Rural Settlement Plan
A
stakeholders Workshop was held
on the 30 August 2012 at the Border
Cricket Ground to present the Spatial
Development Framework (SDF) Review
and the Rural Settlement Development
for the Buffalo City Metro, writes Hans
Schluter.
This workshop was organised by the City
Planning Division in the Directorate of
Planning and Economic Development and
all BCMM Councillors, Ward Committee
Members, Officials and identified
Stakeholders were invited.
Around 100 people attended the workshop
and valuable input and comments were
received from the participants, of which the
City Planning Division is greatly thankful.
The purpose of this workshop was to
present the draft proposals for these two
important plans and receive comments and
feedback from all participants.
This is critical as part of the consultation
process, so that everybody can associate
themselves with the plans and supports and
understands them.
This is important because when both plans
have been approved by Council, they became
statuary plans and policies and therefore it
becomes everybody’s responsibility to assist
with the implementation of the plans.
Spatial Development Framework (SDF)
The first SDF for BCM was approved by
Council in 2003. Since then 11 Local SDF’s
have been completed and approved by
Council and currently the Metro has four
LSDF’s in draft format.
The Spatial Development Framework is
intended amongst other things to facilitate
the social, economic and environmental
sustainability of the metro.
The framework also seeks to develop a set
of policies and principles and an approach
for the management of spatial development
and provide a clear spatial logic that
would facilitate private sector decisions on
investment in the built environment
In regard to this SDF Review Phase 1
(Project Initiation) and Phase 2 (Data
Collection and Analysis and Formulation
of Development Perspective) has been
completed. Phase
3 (Formulation of
a Development
Strategy) and Phase
4 (Formulation of
a Development
Programme and
Budget) are nearly
completed. A detail
presentation on all
four phases was
done.
In regard to the
way forward a final
workshop will be held
with all stakeholders
to present the final
draft SDF.
Then it will be
advertised for Public
Comments in the
BCMM officials from the Developing Planning Directorate
media and circulated
for final comments.
Then the proposed SDF will be submitted to
Council for approval.
• Identification and protection of prime
productive land in the rural areas.
• Controlling the haphazard growth and
Rural Settlement Development Plan development, thus promoting optimal
use and management of land in the rural
areas.
• Discouraging illegal occupation of land
with due regard to the informal land
development process.
Buffalo City Metro comprises of both
urban and rural settlements. Over the past
years extensive research, planning and
development has been undertaken mainly
within the urban fabric of the municipality.
Within the context of rural settlement there
is not the same level of information or
understanding of the various communities in
terms of land services and housing.
Hence the need for this study.
The objective of the Rural Settlement Plan
is the following:
• The need to focus on rationalizing the use
of land and resources in rural areas.
• The need to focus on what is achievable
in development terms and how this related
to spatial and economic development
proposals.
• The need to understand the urban – rural
interface in certain parts of the study
area.
The following activities are required for the
Rural Settlement Development Plan:
• Identification of the most appropriate
levels of services to be provided for the
rural settlements; and
• Identification of existing infrastructural
and social services and where the gaps
are.
A detailed presentation was given on Phase
1 (Project Inception and Pre-planning) and
Phase 2 (Situation Analysis and Review)
which have been completed and Phase 3
(Rural Settlement Development Plan) will
be finalized in the near future.
In regard to the way forward, a final
workshop will be held in November 2012
with all stakeholders to present the final
draft Rural Settlement Plan. Then the plan
will be submitted to Council for approval.
Page 15
A City Growing With You
BCMM September • Vol 9

BCMM Sport Club collected most medals
in the International Municipal
Games held in Botswana
By BCMM Sports Club President
Buffalo City Sport Club participated in the Southern African Inter-Municipal Sports Association (SAIMSA) games in Gaborone Botswana from
23-29 September 2012. Buffalo City Metro has been very consistant in participating in these games and in most cases it leaves behind
good memories. The interest in these games started mainly when Buffalo City hosted this event in 2006. Everyone became aware about the
importance of the games as they helped in maintaining and sustaining good working relations among Municipalities. Also through these games
relations among employees improved and healthy life style has been encouraged among all employees. The host Cities for the past few years
were as follows:
1. Buffalo City – Eastern Cape- South Africa in 2006
2. Walvis Bay – Namibia in 2007
3. Sol Plaatjie – Northen Cape – South Africa in 2008
4. Maputo – Mozambiqe in 2009
5. Tzaneen – Limpopo – South Africa in 2010
6. Manzini – Swaziland in 2011
7. Gaborone – Botswana in 2012 (Current Hosts)
Buffalo City Municipality participated in all these games and came back victorious on many occasions. Last year in Swaziland, Buffalo City
Municipality was the overall winner as it obtained most medals compared to any other Municipality that participated. This didn’t go down well with
Ethekwini Municipality as they have always dominated these games. This year in Botswana, Buffalo City Municipality was confident of defending
their title as overall winner, especially that we have included codes that never participated in these games. With the support received from
EVERYONE in Buffalo City, we were flying not only the Buffalo City flag high, but for the entire Eastern Cape Province and South Africa.
In the next BCMM Monthly Edition, we will be publishing pictures and names of the medalists
BCMM
Birthday
shout outs
To both of you
Zaza (Zanele) on 11th and Phopho
(Phumlani) on 12th
May the Almighty keep you for many more
years to come and Bless you in abundance.
From your friends:
Mumsy Zwelibanzi-Tom, Nicky Sampson &
Thembi Mqhele
13 September – Akhona
Happpppy bday to u…May your day be
filled with joy and happiness..enjoy!!!!!
From: Sive
Nelly - 10 September
Happy birthday shlobo sam, enjoy it to the
fullest, may God keep u for many more
years to come.
From Sive
Ayanda Mkumla
Bhele, Khuboni, Ndabezitha , Langa
lokulunga akamnyama xa ukhona
Happy Birthday on the 21st September
Ukhule ukhokhobe ufuze uYihlo mkhulu
From Sindi & Vv (Pre paid)
Zukiswa Mpengwane
Gebe lasekhaya Ngobe Ngaleka
Mdudumane Nkosazana “Aah
Dilizintaba” !!!
Miselwa Yoyo
Happy Birthday , Many more Happy returns
ukhule ukhokhobe.
From Sindi (Mamgebe) Pre Paid
Due to the quality of recieved
photographs, we are urging staff who
want photographs to be published with
their birthday messages to visit BCMM
Communications Department, Ground
Floor, Trust Centre Building to have their
photo taken.
For further information please contact;
Amanda Fihla on 043 705 1749 or
email; amandafi@buffalocity.gov.za
Many thanks Communication Department
27th September
Happy Birthday, Tshotsho, Skomo,
Matshangisa, Mhlatyama ,Rudulu, ukhule
ukhokhobe, ubeneminyaka emininzi, uyeke
ukozela wakuhlutha .
From Sindi (Pre Paid)
Happy birthday Ayanda Mekuto
From Nomgcobo and team
Solid waste management
To: Lumka Stah Mbambo
Happy birthday Drama Queen, I hope u
had a fantastic day.
From: Mandy
Life is a journey, Enjoy every mile. Happy
B-Day from Samito.
To: Gavin Dovey
As you celebrate your special day on the 04
October 2012 best wishes to you and have
a super day. HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY!
With Love From Your Colleagues
BCMM Monthly is an initiative of Buffalo City Metro Communications Department and is distributed
primarily by e-mail. Every month we will cover news and events in Buffalo City from the previous month. News may
be contributed by any staff member electronically in MS Word format.
Articles may not exceed 300 words in length and must be e-mailed the week before the end of the month.
Photographs must also be sent electronically in JPEG format with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi
and must be accompanied by captions.
Kindly contact: Samkelo Gqeba on (043) 705-1158 or e-mail samkelog@buffalocity.gov.za
We reserve the right to edit all contributions. Communications policies and terms apply.
layout and photos by: Ryan Abbott - Makinwa Media • 043 722 3312
BCMM September • Vol 9
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A City Growing With You