ZINKWAZI BEACH NEWSLETTER – APRIL 2024
Greetings to all Zinkwazians. It has admittedly been a long time since you’ve been updated on the events in Zinkwazi and the work that ZBRRA has undertaken to ensure that problems are faced and handled expeditiously and transparently to everyone who lives in Zinkwazi. Going forward from here, a brief monthly update will be sent to all members, backed up with a quarterly newsletter.
There is a lot to share right now so here goes.
ZBRRA Restructure
ZBRRA underwent a major rebirth and rejuvenation at the beginning of the new financial year. The format and functions of the committee was restructured, with the implementation of portfolios, to spread the load of responsibility which are championed by Committee members who are all volunteers from the village. Under the leadership of Michelle Brook, the new members have brought with them new outlooks and fresh ideas, which are having a visible impact on our Village.
Christmas and its Attendant Festivities
Congratulations to the leadership and members of ZBRRA and the CPF, the resident security companies, SAPS and KDM. It was a true community effort as they were supported by the provision of 7 additional security men who were sponsored by the various Security Services within the village and by The Ski Boat Club. A team of dedicated CPF members policed the entrance to the village and were in constant radio contact to attend to possible trouble spots and patrolled the streets of Zinkwazi at night to ensure a crimeless festive season for residents and visitors. We are grateful to all contributors.
As a token of appreciation, ZBRRA and ZNW, ensured that the teams received refreshments over the peak days.
The Zinkwazi Beach Conservancy
Cliff Hatt a member of the ZBC, is well known for organising holiday activities to entertain visitors and residents and they are always well attended. A summary of the events that took place over the Christmas season were:
- The forest and beach walks, bird watching, swallow sundowner excursion and ghost crabs were enjoyed by approximately 210 people.
- Approximately 30 birds including Black-chested Snake Eagle and Hamerkop were sighted.
- Donations received from these events was R2 865, which goes towards the maintenance of the forest walks.
- R760 was donated to Orphans Outreach for Barn Swallow evening.
We owe our thanks to Roy Bowton, Allan Townsend and Ryan de Matteis for clearing/mowing the Lower Farm Road.
In addition, various conservation information/awareness signs were placed at strategic spots in the village. Whale/Dolphin information signage will also shortly be erected at the two marine view site benches in Glen and Panorama Drives.
ZBRRA and ZBC also hosted a very successful snare ID and removal workshop followed by a boerie braai.
Garden Refuse and Action Team Update
The past few months we have had excessive heat, mixed with a few days of rain, the occasional thunderstorm and even hail! All this combined has made all vegetation, exotic and indigenous, flourish. It has been a never-ending task to keep all servitudes, walkways, and paths in a reasonable state. All the servitudes allowing access to the beaches have been cleared on a regular basis.
Our village is enclosed with an electrical fence. Maintaining this and keeping vegetation clear is a difficult and expensive exercise. This is done for the benefit of each and every one of us and our visitors. We urge ALL homeowners, irrespective of whether permanent residents or not to keep their properties as well as their verges clean and cleared. A number of homeowners have been served notice by KDM for non-compliance with overgrown or alien vegetation. We thank those residents who have co-operated and urge those who have not responded to oblige by clearing their properties as KDM has introduced some stringent, punitive and ultimately costly measures.
Our small team of volunteers with the Action Team are not equipped to keep all stormwater drains clear of debris and sandfills. We are constantly engaging KDM to upgrade and improve our drainage systems within the village. Please assist by ensuring all overgrown verges and drains are free from garden refuse and drains are free from garden refuse.
KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM) is one of the only municipalities in SA that collects and removes garden refuse on a regular basis for residents. In terms of the KDM schedule and by-laws: -,
- Garden refuse in Zinkwazi is collected every Monday, and each household is allowed a maximum of 4 bags of garden refuse per week per household, and this includes complexes.
- Bags must be woven nylon sack, 720 x 1100mm. These can be supplied by the resident or purchased direct from the Municipality.
- ALL garden waste including palm fronds, to be cut up and inserted into the bags.
- Garden refuse is to be put out ONLY on the morning of collection, prior to the truck passing the residence. Garden refuse will be emptied into the trucks by the municipal workers and empty bags placed back in the residents’ property.
- Should garden refuse be put out any other day, it will be deemed to be illegal dumping. Persons found guilty of illegal dumping will be served with a notice to comply, should that fail, a fine for illegal dumping will be served. This can be added to the rates account.
- Should an additional service be required, e.g. a Skip or additional collection, residents will have to contact the Waste Dept in Stanger on 032 4375091, request and pay for any additional services.
- Residents that wish to dispose of garden refuse themselves may only dispose of it at a registered Landfill, Transfer Station or a site indicated by the KwaDukuza Waste Management. A recently commissioned Transfer Station is now available in Stanger.
ILLEGAL DUMPING IS A NO-NO!!
ZBRRA is in constant discussions with KDM regarding numerous issues that have arisen over the years. Numerous suggestions and proposals have been discussed to try and alleviate problems for both Zinkwazi residents and KDM alike.
A major issue is the non-compliance of municipal by-laws by residents within Zinkwazi.
ZBRRA encourages ALL residents and property owners to familiarise themselves and their staff with the above regulations.
For more information regarding Garden refuse please contact: Mr Che Gopi (Manager Parks & Gardens) 032 4375113 or Sheila Sewsunker (Administrator Parks & Gardens) 032 375101.
Stormwater Management
Villagers may have noticed that KDM has undertaken to put kerbstones down Palm Drive and around into Glen Drive to fix the issues of subsidence that we experienced due to heavy storms.
Already the roads are looking much better, and we appreciate KDM’s attendance.
ERF224
Updates on the situation on ERF224 have already been given on the dedicated WhatsApp group. In short, the tribunal sat and remanded the hotel’s application pending further information and clarity on how they planned to resolve some inherent problems.
Eskom
The new portfolios had barely been accepted, when the Eskom problems started in Nkwazi Drive, with a section being overloaded with all the increased load of aircons being used by guests and visitors over the holiday period. When their technicians enquired where the problem was on Nkwazi Drive, ZBRRA Eskom representative agreed to meet them on site. This was truly a very fast lesson for them, as it was quickly realized that “they” are more interested in the masses than in the people who pay for their Eskom account!
However, since then another technician was met with who was friendly and helpful so another lesson learnt – do not “tar all of them with the same brush” and a more cautious approach will be taken in future when dealing with the Technicians.
Another insight was that the Eskom Customers need to be more proactive in reporting faults as soon as it has been established that there is an outage. Everyone must automatically report the problem using Alfred as this is the only way we have of making Eskom aware that there is a problem in this area and to get them to respond ASAP! Go onto the Eskom website or on your phone and click on the link or punch in – https://alfred.eskom.co.za/chatroom/ – answer all the questions & get a reference number so you have proof of your fault being logged.
Another learning was that after trying to report a few maintenance issues to KDM, they do not service Zinkwazi – they are only contracted to look after the infrastructure up to Darnall and the R102. So another request if you have a meter that has fallen down or a sparking cable or a street light that doesn’t work – please use Alfred to report it in the same way you would a fault – get your reference number and then please pass that reference number on to ZBRRA either by WhatsApp 082 380 3058 or email – zbrra@zinkwazi.co.za in order to maintain a record of all faults reported so that when Eskom is approached there is a track and trace to refer back to which hopefully will strengthen the case.
Finally, it would appear that Eskom has reopened its offices in Stanger / KwaDukuza for people to be able to deal with a real live person when dealing with Eskom problems. Please do not leave things too long if you are needing help with an Eskom issue as there is talk about Eskom closing many of their customer branch offices!!
SRA (Special Ratings Area)
ZBRRA has revived the SRA portfolio and are in the process of exploring the viability of taking over some of KDM’s service delivery obligations where KDM have been unwilling or unable to take care of Zinkwazi’s needs. This project is in its infancy and needs more information and discussion before it can properly be introduced to the Zinkwazi ratepayers.
Membership
Too often, we hear the phrase “members are the lifeblood of an organization.” But that’s largely because it’s true and it is no different for ZBRRA. The membership contributions received, enable us to maintain and better the environment you choose to live in – our beautiful village Zinkwazi. As we are all aware, KDM and many municipalities around the country are not fulfilling service delivery that they are supposed to provide and more and more often the residents must pull up their sleeves and do it themselves. So much more can be achieved if we had the funds to do so. To our current members who have paid, a big thank you. For those members who have not paid their subs for 2024, please do so at your earliest convenience. We appeal to you, the residents of Zinkwazi – if you haven’t joined ZBRRA, and you need more information, please contact Karen Fischer, via email zbrra@zinkwazi.co.za
A Tribute
In closing, the people of Zinkwazi express their heartfelt condolences for the sad loss of Clint Liebenberg. Clint was one of our own and was much loved by all who knew him. He is greatly missed and Zinkwazi is not the same without his unfailing good humour and endless energy. We wish Sue Bamber and Clint’s family strength, love, and support!