Sihle Mavuso presents the latest news from KwaZulu-Natal.
Newcastle – A new lifeline for ArcelorMittal’s operations in Newcastle in the north of the province emerged after the company announced its closure there would be put on hold. The company said it is looking at ways to save its operations. The operation was supposed to close in the middle of this year, with losses of around 4,000 (direct and indirect) jobs that would devastate the city of Newcastle. The operations will now continue for up to six months.
Babanango – The Buthelezi clan of Babanango near Ulundi will meet at Mcakwini to celebrate the annual Inkosi Phungase Day on Saturday, 6 July. The event is expected to be attended by several prominent Buthelezi clan leaders, such as Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, who is also the traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation. Inkosi Phungase was a powerful leader of the Buthelezi clan in the early 1800s. He was killed by King Shaka when the king began his mission of conquest and cemented his power in the Zulu kingdom.
Umzimkhulu – KwaZulu-Natal is moving ahead with its plans to turn the sheep farming areas of the Harry Gwala district into a wool-producing powerhouse. On Thursday, the provincial government will hand over Merino breeding rams to 14 associations involved in wool production. Some associations will get infrastructure to keep their wool safe and dry before shipping it to overseas markets.
Estcourt – The long-awaited Vimbukhalo water scheme near the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands town of Estcourt has been officially authorised. The R47-million scheme (Vimbukhalo 3 and 4), financed by the Uthukela district municipality, is expected to take almost a year to complete and will supply water to all the peri-urban areas around Estcourt that usually go for days with dry taps, sparking violent service delivery protests.
Durban – The DA in KwaZulu-Natal has congratulated the new Minister for Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, who comes from its ranks. The party said he brings a wealth of experience and takes over the political position when South Africans demand accountability following years of non-delivery of services. “Our country needs to get working again, and this can only happen through active, competent leadership,” the party said after he was sworn in.
Pictured above: ArcelorMittal is trying to save the Newcastle operations and jobs.
Source: ArcelorMittal
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