In the early morning hours of Thursday 5 May, Jacobs businesses, eThekwini Municipality officials and community members converged in Lansdown Road to embark on a cleanup campaign which forms part of a series of cleanup campaigns held in the basin recently. A partnership between the South Durban Basin (SDB) Area Based Management (ABM) department, Durban Solid Waste, Parks, Durban Investment and Promotions Agency (DIPA) and the Jacobs Chamber Committee, the campaign was aimed at encouraging businesses to partner with the City in finding solutions to service delivery challenges in the area.
According to Sifiso Xulu, SDB ABM Communications Manager, the cleanup campaign came as a result of a need that was identified in the Central Service Delivery Forum meeting managed by the SDB ABM department. Xulu said ‘businesses, community members and council officials joined forces in dealing with dirt in the Jacobs area. He said it has always been the City’s view to bring businesses and community members together and work for a common goal’. Xulu stated that the response was very positive and the support was amazing and appeals to all stakeholders to continue working together in finding solutions to service delivery.
The Durban Investment and Promotions Agency’s Business Retention and Expansion Officer, Nondumiso Mhlongo said ‘we are excited about this and the other campaigns planned by the SDB ABM department with a view to create a cleaner, safer and greener South Durban Basin. She said as DIPA we will continue to encourage businesses to work with the City and ensure that their participation in Service Delivery Forums is guaranteed.
Louise Emser, Chairperson of the Jacobs Chamber Committee mentioned that the cooperation between the City officials and businesses in Jacobs is inspiring. She said ‘when the Jacobs Chamber Committee decided to participate in the Central Service Delivery Forum we knew that the only way to get the desired results is to work with the City officials in finding solutions to service delivery challenges in the area. Emser said we are extremely happy with the progress made and we know that the cleanup campaign will add up on the achievements recorded so far’.
