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Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

dean biddulph

Nkandla – what we could have bought

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On Wednesday 19 March, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found that the ANC in government spent R246 million upgrading President Jacob Zuma's private home at Nkandla. Amongst her conclusions, she found that: President Zuma was guilty of conduct inconsistent with the office of the President That the upgrades amounted to "opulence at a grand scale" That in order to upgrade his home, funds were taken away from the "inner-city regeneration project" of the department of public works, That … [Read more...] about Nkandla – what we could have bought

Important info for voting abroad during the SA elections

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Dear Friends As in 2009, South Africans living in other parts of the world will be able to vote on the national ballot of the upcoming General Election. Over the course of the past few months, we have succeeded in reaching a large number of South Africans who live abroad in order to inform them of the process of registration and voting while abroad. In addition to South Africans who are residing abroad permanently or for longer periods of time, we have received a number of queries from … [Read more...] about Important info for voting abroad during the SA elections

Ward 2 Report – September 2013

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To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 2 councillor, Dean Biddulph’s newsletter below. You may contact Ward 2 using the contact form at the bottom of this report. Dean writes: I am absolutely thrilled to announce that after reconciling all the hard copy petitions that we have already received (with many more to still come in), that the Save Our Metro petition has not only passed the 10 000 mark, it has shattered it. As of today, the petition total is … [Read more...] about Ward 2 Report – September 2013

What to do about rates queries and excessive valuations

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I have received a number of calls relating to excessive rates increases on properties flowing from the recent valuation process. Please note the following information compiled by Cllr Angelo Dashwood, our Spokesperson for Budget & Treasury. As at 1 July 2013, the new Property Rates became effective. Many residents are complaining about having to pay more than the 9.14% advertised. This problem seems to be even worse when it comes to commercial property. Unfortunately, if you are faced … [Read more...] about What to do about rates queries and excessive valuations

Ward 2 May-June Report

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To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 2 councillor, Dean Biddulph’s newsletter below. You may contact Ward 2 using the contact form at the bottom of this report. The headline articles in the Herald recently are a clear indication that the recent shuffle within the top structure of the ANC locally has done nothing to quell the instability and infighting within the ruling party caucus. A visit on Monday this week by Derek Hanekom and senior ANC provincial … [Read more...] about Ward 2 May-June Report

Municipal Public Accounts Committee concerns

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The municipality is legally compelled to prepare an Annual Report which accurately reflects the performance of the institution in the critical areas of service delivery, as well as the financial performance of the municipality. The draft Annual Report of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality was tabled in council on 24 January 2013, before being referred to the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) for review and the drafting of the Annual Oversight Report. The DA regrettably has noted … [Read more...] about Municipal Public Accounts Committee concerns

Ward 2 Report – February 2013

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To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 2 councillor, Dean Biddulph’s newsletter below. You may contact Ward 2 using the contact form at the bottom of this report. The unanimous decision taken by council recently to appoint a well qualified, capable candidate with a good track record as the new city manager will hopefully begin to usher in a period of increasing stability. It will hopefully also bring relief to a once well run metro that has been allowed to … [Read more...] about Ward 2 Report – February 2013

Ward 2 Newsletter November 2012

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To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 9 councillor, Dean Biddulph’s newsletter below. You may contact Ward 2 using the contact form HERE. It always seems as if Christmas springs upon us a little earlier with each passing year and 2012 has been no exception. It has been a tumultuous year politically for the country and also the people of our metro as we seem to be increasingly sliding toward the possibility of the failed state scenario. Nationally, we have … [Read more...] about Ward 2 Newsletter November 2012

Ward 2 News – October 2012

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To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 2 councillor, Dean Biddulph's newsletter below. Scroll down to see the contact Details for Ward 2: I hope that the content of this latest edition of the Ward 2 newsletter remains of interest and helps keep you all abreast of what is happening here in our ward and in the greater metro community. Having read the weekend newspapers whilst sheltering from the miserable weather, I had a moment to reflect on the current state … [Read more...] about Ward 2 News – October 2012

ANC infighting paralysing city administration

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The continued in-fighting between the Faku/Wayile factions within the metro has succeeded in effectively paralysing our city administration (We will get Wayile - Faku, The Herald, 20 August 2012). The dogged refusal by senior structures within the ruling party to adequately address the rift between the two which is indicative of the jockeying going on ahead of Manguang is even greater cause for concern. The incessant meddling into city affairs by those at Florence Matomela (Standard) House … [Read more...] about ANC infighting paralysing city administration

Ward 2 Newsletter August 2012

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The recent reports contained in both the Herald and sister newspaper The Times offered clear, black and white evidence that exposes the parlous state of local government in our country. Auditor-General Terence Nombembe points out that despite repeated warnings and offers of intervention strategies that the situation in respect of municipal government has in fact deteriorated since last year. As a Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) member, I can attest to a similar approach from the … [Read more...] about Ward 2 Newsletter August 2012

Major breach of metro water supply

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Dear Residents The metro Joint Operations Centre (JOC) has urged all residents to cut back on water usage after a critical pipeline, that supplies the city with a third of its water, burst during the early hours of this morning. At a crisis press conference meeting this afternoon, Mayor Zanoxolo Wayile, said a major pipeline, which carries water from the Churchill dam had burst sometime between midnight and 6am, which had left the Southern region of the Bay without water. Suburbs … [Read more...] about Major breach of metro water supply

Ward 2 Newsletter June 2012

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To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 2 councillor, Dean Biddulph’s newsletter below. Scroll down to see the contact Details for Ward 2. Safety & Security - Light at the end of the tunnel for Hobie parking area Good news at last appears to be on the horizon for the residents an patrons of the Hobie Beach parking area which has been plagued for a number of years by an increase in the number of vagrants, illegal car guards and undesirables frequenting the … [Read more...] about Ward 2 Newsletter June 2012

The Price We Pay for Bad Management

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Dear Metro Residents The rapid escalation and intensity of the unrest in Qebera/Walmer township area comes as no surprise and a very clear message is now being sent to those who control the Nelson Mandela metro (Bay protest gets ugly, The Herald, 31 may 2012). This is the price we will increasingly have to pay as a result of imprudently managing the expectations of the masses. For nearly twenty years now, these impoverished communities, desperate for the much promised "better life for all" … [Read more...] about The Price We Pay for Bad Management