Twinning agreement signed by mayor
the Urban Management Bureau (UMB), described as a core tool in the running of the administration.
“Visual technology is used to view the city through some 6 000 cameras. At the control centre a team analyses the data and where necessary refers it to the relevant section for action. It covers traffic management, service related matters and security.”
According to the report Chenzhou spent around R400 million in implementing the system, which is used as a tool for service improvements and has seen the city becoming a world leader in this regard.
Matika and Akharwaray also visited the local sewer purification plant. “While the plant and the core process is similar to that of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, the difference is that they do not mix and process industrial waste, stormwater and human waste through the same facility.
“The value is that different efforts and proced- ures are needed to clean and purify the wastewater with stormwater, requiring the least effort and technology. The cleansed water is then pumped back into the river.
“The sludge, which is separated from the waste, is immediately transported away by trucks to a power-generating facility where it is burnt to generate energy instead of using coal.”
Refuse removal was also looked at. Chenzhou has a population of five million people, yet was described as exceptionally clean.
“No paper, no waste, or even a cigarette butt was seen lying around. Upon discussion with city officials, the following emerged: refuse is removed on a 24-hour basis; society takes responsibility for managing waste and everything is thrown into a bin which the relevant department simply removes and transports away; the UMB keeps an eye on the matter through video technology; people and businesses ensure they keep the area around their businesses or buildings clean at all times; the rubbish is not taken to a landfill site but to a factory to be separated for recycling products or to be burnt to generate electricity; and the residue is then further used in building material products, for example bricks.”
It was pointed out in the report, that based on discussions it would seem that about 15 years ago the city had similar problems as faced in the SPM but they started an intensive education and awareness campaign to change the culture and respect for a clean environment.
Meetings were also held with business leaders who indicated interests in investments in mining, processing of mining products, hotel developments and renewable energy.
“The opportunities were used to interact and inform them of governance regime, tax laws, incentives, BEE requirements etc. The core enquiries were mainly around state policy on investments and repatriation of investments.”
In order to practicalise the twinning agreement, meetings were held to discuss implementation and the following issues areas were highlighted: those keen on investing in mining sector projects, those keen in the processing of mineral products, those interested in importing agricultural products from SPM, and those interested in investing in the sludge and waste processing possibilities.
Kimberley is also keen to set up a tourism exchange programme with the aim of bringing tourists for leisure, hunting and related experiences as well as an exchange of employee training programme in order to bring about increased efficiencies in governance.