COMMUNITY SERVICES 2010/2011 FINANCIAL YEAR
6. CHALLENGES
The advent of HIV&AIDS has presented the Country with enormous challenges. Some of the challenges are inherited from the past. The Municipality is faced with more challenges, but for this purpose below is the brief outline of some of the challenges:
6.1. Macro-Challenges 6.1.1. Political commitment
This is very vital, as this will lead to the communities of Lesedi to rally behind their leaders. It is not that there is no commitment; rather the emphasis of their much-needed support is imperative and crucial.
6.1.2. Funding of HIV&AIDS Program
Inconsistent Funding from the Department of Local Government & Housing to run the Municipal HIV&AIDS Program impacts on the progress made. E.g. No funds have been received for the Financial Year 2010/11.
Ward HIV&AIDS Coordinators rely on the very funding hence they are on contractual basis whereas they are a great need in the implementation of Ward Based Programs
The Municipality should consider employing them on a full time basis.
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Very few NGO’s in Lesedi are funded by Department of Health & Social Development
Delay in payments of NGO’s funded by Health & Social Development impacts on HCT Services at our health facilities as well as HBC Services in our Communities
6.1.3. Poverty alleviation
This is one crucial contributory factor to HIV infection and the increase in the impact of AIDS.
Collaboration with other departments and sectors will alleviate the burden of the disease and improve the lives of indigent people.
6.1.4. Unemployment
It is an open secret that the rate of employment is still low, though the rate in Lesedi is relatively above the other Districts and Metros. Unemployment in itself degrades the status of men in particular, who in turn resort to unfavorable social behaviors like rapes and crime
6.1.5. Status of women and children They are vulnerable to all sorts of abuse.
This results in them unintentionally being the victims of this scourge. Different women and children initiatives need concerted efforts and improved coordination for a common goal. Local Program Against Children (LPAC) should form the center stage for children service delivery.
6.2. Micro-challenges
6.2.1 Strengthening Program Coordination and Management
It is important that all activities are effectively coordinated and managed. The program needs a dedicated coordinator for all the levels. Lesedi as a Municipality should speak in one voice in issues relating to HIV&AIDS/TB. There should be synergy in all the levels within the Municipality for effective and cost-effective use of resources.
6.2.2. Strengthening the control and management of Sexually Transmitted Infections
This is one of the most essential components in the fight against HIV&AIDS. The effective case finding and management of partners/contacts will assist ameliorate the lives of the communities.
Much as there is a need for awareness of HIV&AIDS, the STI awareness and management forms an integral part in the struggle
6.2.3. Management of HIV&AIDS TB
It is a fact that HIV&AIDS and TB cannot be divorced. Initiatives geared towards managing dual infections should be urgent and be treated as emergencies
6.2.4. The Place of Work
It is time to consider the workplace environment as the target for HIV&AIDS awareness. This will enhance the employer/employee relation, reduce stigma, improve disclosure and increase participation
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6.2.5. Institutions of higher learning
Most of the vulnerable age groups are housed in these institutions. Failure to infiltrate them will result in the Municipality producing a cadre of incumbents who would not enjoy workplace and contribute to the economy.
6.2.6. Businesses
HIV&AIDS awareness should be multi-pronged, one element being the businesses. The decrease in the economy due to HIV&AIDS will affect their profits, thus their importance in the fight against this scourge.
6.2.7. Integrating HIV&AIDS into the Primary Health Care Setting
It is important that the facilities are able to manage opportunistic infections and are aware of networking structures outside the health facilities for improved quality care
1.4. PARKS AND CEMETERIES
Temporary laboureres were appointed during the repoting period to assits to clean Ratanda- and Ekuthuleni Sub Regional cemeteries. Weed killer was also applied during this period. Grave blocks were also expanded at Ekuthuleni Sub Regional Cemetery.
Funerals conducted during the financial year:
2009/2010 2010/2011
Kamp 109 101
Ekuthuleni 822 855
Ekuphumuleni 115 123
Devon 1 1
Muslim/Hindu 9 3
Total: 1056 1083
Trees were planted around Lesedi Local Municipality on a regular basis and a new park was aslo developed at Impumelelo.
Sidewalks, parks, sports grounds and cemeteries were maintained in line with the approved Maitenance Program. Five maitenance teams, each supervised by a Special Worksman forms the maintenance team.
Vacant stands were cut at least twice during the growing season. Notices requesting owners of vacant stands to clean the stands were sent out. All stands, of which the owners did not comply, were cleaned by this section and accounts were issued accordingly. All Council owned vacant stands were also cleaned regulary.
Weed killer was applied to sidewalks and paved areas and invasive trees like Blue gum and Blackwattle were irradiated along roads and open spaces.
Street trees were pruned under electrical cables as well as branches reaching over fences and roads to ensure proper street visibility as well as to prevent any electrical incidents.
Complains were taken care of on a daily basis.
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Cemetery Data were regularly captured. Monthly reports and other administrational duties were taken care of.
The occurrence of Red and Orange Data listed plants in the Lesedi Local Municipality area were monitored in collaboration with GDACE.
1.5 SPORTS, ARTS CULTURE & LIBRARY SERVICES INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
An application for the development of Jameson Park sports field and the upgrading of existing sporting facilitates was made to the National Lottery Distributing Trust Fund.
An amount of R 6 030 000.00 was approved by Lottery to construct and upgrade the following sporting facilities:-
Impumelelo Sport field: Restoration of the grass, upgrading and construction of combo courts;
ablution block, palisade fencing and pavilion.
Devon: Upgrading of the netball and tennis courts; ablution block and installation of palisade fencing.
Jameson Park: Construction of a new sport facility.
Union Sport facility: A netball ablution has been altered to a clubhouse to accommodate both netball and cricket sporting codes.
A shelter for cricket players has been constructed to accommodate reserves and a coach
Ratanda stadium: Practice field has been upgraded through social funds from Coca Cola Valpre Company.
Swimming Pools: The swimming pool dub Impumelelo and Ratanda are being maintained regularly by Vlam du Preez chemicals on every Mondays of each week.
The water clarity is very good and green and algae are under control.
Pumps, filter and vacuum system are in good working condition. PH=7, 6 is within a desired range. Pools acids are constantly supplied to reduce the PH into desired range.
Lifeguards appointed on contractual base during the swimming season i.e 1st September -30 April
SPORTS, RECREATION ARTS & CULTURE DEVELOPMENT
Arts & Culture Interim Committee: has been established and aim thereof is to gear to the establishment of an institution or partnerships that will focus resources in areas that enable the successful partnering with organizations that have artistic and cultural development capacity and the will to further this capacity.
Sports Council: Lesedi Sports Council has been established and launched in April to continue to address all sporting needs in the community by coordinating programmes that promotes sports.
Ishashalazi: The theater art form group participated to the scheduled auditions with an aim of being selected to compete in Grahamstown competitions/events.
National Arts Council: The National Arts Council was invited to do presentations to the Arts and Culture Organization on how to apply for funding to sustain their
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programmes, bursaries application forms were also distributed to students in furthering their studies in Arts and Theater.
SACR Collaboration: A joint working plan is been developed for collaboration, cooperation and integration which will be an outcome of joint planning and implementation. Programme thereof includes
Sports and Recreation
Mass Participation programme; Sports development and coordination;
School sports; Competitive Sports Arts and Culture
Creative Arts; Creative industries; Heritage, museum and monuments, language and geographic names.
Learn to swim Programme: The programme is undertaken in conjunction with Swimming South Africa. School going children from the age of 1- 4 are targeted. Unemployed Youth interested in swimming are set to be trained to become trainers and to develop swimming clubs.
Lesedi Municipality staff involved in sports participated in the O. R. Tambo Inter Municipal Games hosted by the West Rand District Municipality and won second place in Netball, fourth prize in pool, fifth place Injuva (male) and fifth for Golf (open).
Athletic competition: Road relay was staged in conjunction with Heidelberg Athletic Club.
Mayor’s Golf Challenge: The Mayor’s Golf Charity tournament was hosted on the 10th September 2010 and the aim thereof is to fundraise so as to assist the vulnerable sectors within the community.