The MF believes that it is the option because the government saves on infrastructure costs and this saving can be used to subsidised the poor for water.

However, the MF advocates that there should be a special tariff rating for the urban poor based on income and affordability.

Much of the burden of inadequate water supply in KZN is borne by the rural poor, especially women, due to the lack of infrastructure but programmes such as the Consolidated Municipal Infrastructure Programme (CMIP), funded by National grants takes care of the rural poor. Hence the MF firmly believes that to help the urban poor, local municipalities must implement indigent support programmes funded by unconditional National grants to ensure that a basic service such as water supply does reach the poorest of the urban poor.

The property rates bill is comprehensive and very wide ranging. It is a tremendous improvement on the existing legislation. The bill deals with very important aspects such as ratable property, categories of property exclusions, amount of rates (the importance being that rates will still be determined on the value of the property); additional rates (dealing with the establishment of special rating districts); phasing in of rates, compulsory phasing in of rates, registering of properties, rates policy (the important factor is that persons must be treated equitably because this was the real sore point as market value was artificial and Blacks i.e. Indians, Coloureds and Africans, suffered when compared to the valuation of properties in former White areas); recovery of rates; valuations where the valuation criteria has certain deficiencies in that it does not provide for a transitional period to take into effect the negative impact the Group Areas Act still had on valuation and the rebates that can be allowed so that there can be equability.

While every property has to be rated, a municipality sets the rate rand age factor and the MF will try hard to ensure that everyone pays the same rates for like properties.

The MF pledges that it will fight very strongly for a drastic reduction in the rating of residential properties since the .bulk of the rate comes from business.

The MF will propose this and the amount lost can be recovered from elsewhere.

a) The MF believes that the local SAPS and the city dwellers and business people must get together and launch “Durban City Community Police Forum” to fight crime by various initiatives such as:

• Emergency Service Workshop involving all departments such as the dog unit, fire department and clinics.
• Night clubs inspection for age restriction and drug abuse.
• Youth Desk Programmes to relieve police officers during peak period from administrative work to actively fight crime.
• Bicycle Project to enable police officers other forms of transport other than vehicles which are scarce resource.
• Car Watch Systems to work closely with SAPS and local authorities.

b) Local authorities must undertake social iniatives to cleanup the city environment to a less crime conducive one by:

• Providing all municipal service e.g. transport, refuse removal, etc.
• Improving bad lighting in certain areas.
• Clamping down on alcohol sales and the availability of firearms.
• Upgrading old buildings.

c) In Durban we are lucky to have the Metro Police but they will have to undergo extensive training with respect to municipal policing which will:

• Compliment SAPS.
• Provide visible policing on foot and by vehicle patrols.
• Enforce by-laws and traffic regulations.
• Decentralise policing to effectively combat crime.
• Assist the over-burdened criminal courts, hence first time petty offenders must receive community based punishment which has rehabilitative qualities.

d) We need to promote tourism among Blacks and emerging Black operators, hence the MF advocates the establishment of Community Tourist Association or forums.

e) Local authorities must develop a service orientated attitude and culture in Durban, hence the MF strongly endorses the Mayor’s Award in fighting crime and making Durban safer for everyone.

f) We should have more areas of high crime identified and National should provide these communities with mobile police stations.

g) We need more budgeting for visible policing.

a) Nationally

• All external funding must be used to develop Black areas.
• New budget priorities must be shared the same.

b) Provincially

• Same as above until the playing fields are leveled.
• Also MPL’s must formulate Provincial legislation to regulate, supervise, support and monitor municipalities within the framework of National legislation.
• MPL’s must ensure that the Consolidated Municipal Infrastructure Programme (CMIP) is properly managed to develop rural infrastructure.
• Service fees and levies must be collected from people who can afford to pay in Black areas e.g. businessmen, professionals, the employed in the form of rates and vat which will also be used to maintain and improve local services.

c) Banks, be they government parastatals or commercial banks must relax bureaucratic red tape with regard to home loans especially for women and illiterate but skilled persons. The MF welcomes the enabling legislation with regard to banks which will, we hope, get rid of this problem.

The MF continuously lobbies for grants from National for essential facilities in Black areas e.g. we have repeatedly requested for a sports stadium in Phoenix.

d) The Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) must be spent efficiently to provide various facilities including sports infrastructure.

a) MF’s policy is to “think global but act local”.

b) If Durban needs to succeed it requires adequate, efficient and clean domestic governance.

c) To improve confidence in investors at a financial level good governance will have to make difficult choices e.g. allow our domestic rates to weaken when necessary, letting interest rates reflect the true cost of capital efficiently or to be absorbed by more efficient local or foreign competitors.

d) The MF endorses the initiative of Business Against Crime (BAC).

e) Investing in tourism and marketing Durban innovatively is a major part of the solution.

f) Improving public transport, parking facilities and building designs to accommodate disabled or older people is a must.

g) The private security industry needs to be regulated so that they are empowered to protect their client.

h) We must stamp out illegal immigrant employment.

i) The MF endorses the Executive Mayoral System which will bring the people closer to their representative.

j) Our MP and MPL’s promise to work closely with councillors to enhance service delivery, therefore we welcome the performance appraisal system of councillors.

k) Accelerate economic infrastructure delivery through the initiatives.

l) The MF and MPL’s will closely monitor the local government budgetary process ensuring sound financial principles are applied as an incentive to investors.

m) We must root out all forms of political instability within the CBD.

n) We must invest in human capital, i.e. education training and health.

o) The MF will identify local economic opportunities and promote SMME development.

p) We need to define the role of the private sector as investors in local economic development.

q) We need delivery of value added service e.g. Post Offices, créches, waste removal, tertiary educational institutions, electricity etc.

The MF has vigorously embarked on an Aids Awareness Campaign by printing informative millennium desk calendars which were widely distributed to businesses, citizens and schools. The MF promoted the ABC campaign at the ABH fair in July this year by distributing lapels to the public and scholars.

b) Legislation In Parliament

The MF has repeatedly called for AIDS to be included as a notifiable disease to assess the disease quantitatively and qualitatively.

c) Education

The MF called for 100% involvement of schools in debating AIDS and Mr. A. Rajbansi intends awarding THE RAJBANSI SHIELD FOR DEBATES OF VITAL IMPORTANCE!

Teachers must also be trained and AIDS must be included in school texts.

d) Civil Society

The MF supports the initiatives of all NGO’s and CBO’s but has called for their registration under the Provincial AIDS Council.

e) Empathy

The MF has motioned in Parliament for the renaming of the Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Cato Manor to the Albert Luthuli AIDS Research Hospital to show AIDS sufferers that the government does CARE!

Also, the MF has called for free testing period at universities, hospitals and clinics.

f) Public/Private Partnerships

The MF fully supports this view because both sectors can mutually benefit by coming up with innovative ideas to stop the spread of AIDS.

g) Employers

The MF calls for non-discrimination in the work place and good medical care by way of medical aid cover.

h) Health Portfolio Committee

The MF and MPL has repeatedly called for:

• Drop in centres and hospitals at clinics for rape victims and free anti-retroviral treatment.
• Nevirapine to be made freely available to reduce mother to child transmission.
• Fast-tracking research for vaccine/s for AIDS.
• Cash flow statements of the department and the Provincial AIDS Council.
  Implementing the KAB theory of knowledge.
• AIDS being prioritised on the departments activity and priority listing.
• Billboards, murals and information signs with AIDS slogans.
• Changing attitude which will change behaviour.
• Volunteers/Youth

The MF offices in Chatsworth and Phoenix has embarked on a training programme to prepare people for home-based care if required in these areas.

j) The MF has the political will to reduce the epidemic by the above-mentioned way as well as a positive lifestyle and faith in God.

Residents are protected by the Bill of Rights and Section 24/ with respect to the environment.

b) Residents

Lobby and form NGO’s or CBO’s to call for immediate government action at all 3 levels.

c) National Government

The MF has repeatedly called for:

• The fast-tracking of National Gas Legislation to ensure controlled utilisation of the environment and to protect vulnerable people.
• Increased investment in environmental protection.

d) Provincial Government

The MF has called for:

• Rationalisation of the NEMA Act, streamlining its functions to eradicate unfounded mandates.
• Fast-tracking of EIA’s (Environmental Impact Assessment) especially in Black areas; capacitating the EIA component or outsourcing backlogs; prioritising EIA’s into chemical, environmental, economic, etc.; urgent transformation within the department, monitoring and evaluation of EIA’s.
• Intensify legislation e.g. the Atmospheric Pollution Act and related laws and regulations.
• Shaping environmental policies to practically meet our requirements e.g.
  • stressing prevention while combining prevention with control
  • forcing pollution makers to finance treatment
  • strengthening environmental management at local government level

e) Amending Legislation

E.g. In Criminal Law to add to clause on crimes related to the destruction of the environment and resources with penalties.

f) Local Authorities

• Enforce by-laws, regulations and standards for areas.
• Prioritise pollution control projects and close down offenders.
• Launch an intensive pollution prevention and control campaign.
• Include environmental protection in the MTEF Programme.
• Durban must be an ecological city to create a healthy, comfortable and safe living environment.
• Declare certain areas limited development areas or relocate residents in view of the fact that racial and industrial zoning is the cause of current problems.
• Increase the capacity of environmental health officers in Durban.

g) Industries

• Certain offenders must be upgraded technologically and restructured.
• Must spend on environmental issues and annually report.
• Must pay for damages caused.

The MF calls on all relevant Government departments to work speedily towards putting these measures in place to safeguard the health of the people everywhere.