Poverty alleviation priority for Mtuba
AROUND R11m has been set aside for a poverty alleviation programme, with a further R700 000 for youth development in Mtubatuba.
This was announced on Wednesday by Mayor Mxolisi Mthethwa when he presented the 2023/24 draft budget at Prince Mzondeni Hall in KwaMsane.
According to Mthethwa, the draft budget has been broken down as follows:
· Total operational revenue – R334.7-million
· Total operational grants – R252.2-million
· Grants revenue operational/equitable share – R232.8-million
· Total all revenue – R89.2-million · Internal funds, operational revenue, property rates – R52.2-million
· Other revenue – R25.7-million
· Other grants operational – R19.3-million
· Refuse revenue – R7.9-million · Licences and permits – R3.3-million · Traffic fines – R1.5-million. “Many of the people in attendance today are young people who are unemployed but willing to work, so this money should help them," said Mthethwa.
Another R300 000 has been set aside for the physically challenged.
“Many people living with disabilities are physically disabled but are very capable and should be given opportunities,” said the mayor.
Other programmes outlined in the draft budget include R200 000 for ministers in religion, R400 000 for senior citizens, R400 000 for women empowerment, R500 000 for arts and culture, and R300 000 for HIV/Aids.
Mthethwa gave an overview of the work done by the municipality in the current financial year, including installing streetlights, fixing access roads and patching of potholes, as well as tarring roads in Khula Village, Dukuduku and KwaMsane.
Other projects under way or in the pipelines include:
· Housing projects in various wards · The installation of lightning conductors
· The construction of the Mtubatuba Tourism Centre
· The Machibini sport field
· The electrification of houses in various wards.
The municipality also secured R6million from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs for the upgrade of the Zamimpilo Market tourist attraction in eMfekayi.
Mthethwa said a number of small to medium businesses have also been assisted by the municipality, with about 300 fruit and vegetable growers expected to receive R200 000 with assistance from the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda).