People live here

With only 28,8% of unicity residents in formal employment, there is a desperate need for local economic development.

But is government money ‘€“ both from national projects and the council — also being spent on improving the lives of ordinary residents of the unicity?

A visit to four very different areas offered different answers. In the poorest two areas, Inanda’€™s Congo section and Umlazi’€™s G section, there was abundant evidence of development since the democratic government assumed power in 1994. Piped water, electricity ‘€“ even to informal dwellings, a new reservoir, improved roads, a new clinic and a public swimming pool were just some of the evident improvements.

At the same time, however, poverty-stricken residents from Bayview in Chatsworth felt they were being marginalised ‘€“ perhaps, they said, because they were mainly from a minority group that was not a priority for the ANC-led council.

While this may not be the case, it is a widespread perception that needs to be addressed by the council.

Seaview’€™s resident also felt the council was not responsive to complaints, but ascribed this to the fact that the council has not identified one person responsible for the area, rather than racism.

Increasing levels of crime were also a concern for some residents, although “people’€™s power” in Umlazi offers an old fashioned lesson about how to keep criminals at bay.

Worrying too was the huge patient load being dealt with by staff at the clinics in Inanda and Umlazi ‘€“ and the astonishing relevation that Inanda residents are unable to get an HIV test at their local clinic.

What was generally encouraging, however, were reports that residents of all race groups have learned to live together. This lesson is perhaps best illustrated by the peaceful transformation of Seaview, one of Durban’€™s oldest suburbs, from a predominately white, Afrikaans area into a mixed area in which residents all share common concerns about crime and grime.

Click to read more about Bay View; Inanda Congo; Sea View & Umlazi

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