All Eyes On Durban For 2010

As a host city for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Durban has fast become a target for publicity.

As committees work tirelessly to ensure the smooth operation for the international event, the question arises, are we really ready for 2010? Julie-May Ellingson, who heads Durban's Strategic Projects Unit and the city's preparations for 2010, says her department has considered a holistic approach to the infrastructural needs required for 2010 that has effectively put the city ahead of the pack. This includes transport, accommodation and entertainment, as well as the physical infrastructure relating to the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The city will invest more than R4 billion into infrastructure driven by the 2010 FIFA World Cup with R1, 4 billion earmarked for public transport and road upgrades.

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Shack Dwellers Dreams Realised

One of the country's biggest slum clearance projects became a reality last month when 30 impoverished families were relocated from the McLarty Road settlement in Reservoir Hills to new serviced houses in Welbedacht, south of Durban.

Some time ago shack dwellers from Juba Place and Holmleigh Road were relocated to Marianhill. Ward Councillor Jayraj Bachu described the relocation as "Perhaps the biggest slum clearance project in South Africa that will fundamentally alter the lives of most of our people who live in slums". Bachu added that the "shaky edifices in which the shack dwellers live" does not constitute adequate housing and as families have been relocated to their new homes, their shacks are being demolished. "My number one priority as councilor for the area is to better the lives of the people, to provide houses to those living in the informal settlements and my vision is now being realised," said Bachu.

He also added that aside from the McLarty Road, Juba Place and Holmleigh Road informal settlements, other settlements in Reservoir Hills and Clare Estate would also be relocated. Plans are at an advanced stage to relocate all the shack dwellers from Palmiet Road and Quarry Road West.

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Face Jail If You File False Cases With Police

Police are getting tough on people who make false claims, including reporting cases of bogus hijacking.

A 24-year-old Reservoir Hills man has learnt the hard way not to file a false case. After months of drug abuse and being in the company of prostitutes, Ashveer Sewbagth opened a case of hijacking, only to be put behind bars and he could be asked to the State thousands of rands if he is found guilty.

In his report, Sewbagth alleged that two armed men hijacked him outside a petrol station on Sunday 27 April at 9pm. He claimed he was parked outside the garage when the men approached his 1989 red Toyota Corolla from different directions. He claimed that one of them pushed him into the passenger seat while the other jumped into the back seat. It is further alleged that the men drove down Mountbatten Drive towards Durban. He was dropped outside the Durban Station.

Sewbagth alleged that he ran towards King's Park Stadium and entered a shop to call for police assistance. He was taken home by the Durban Central Police. On Monday 28 April, he went to the Sydenham Police station and opened up a case of hijacking with Inspector Vinsesh Singh and Constable D. Thaver.

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South African Federation Soccer Legends Celebrate Their First Milestone

The ball has continued to roll towards scoring the goals of the South African Federation Legends since it‘s official launch on the 28 April 2007.

The SA Fed Legends held their annual general meeting at the eThekwini College in Asherville on Saturday 19 April 2008. The legends were formed by former players and administrators of the SA FED League and the Federation Professional League.

The organisation has successfully lived their motto of uniting and serving former members. Its social responsibility drive is focused on assisting many players in need.

They have donated a wheel chair to former Verulam star Vasu Chetty who is now a paraplegic. The League also donated a buffing machine to his former teammate, Valiant Alley to make him self sufficient after he lost his foot due to illness. The Legends were recently encouraged by a communiqu they received from Australia indicating a desire to form a branch there since many professional players had emigrated to Australia.

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