Capital Coalition Tabloid

April 2009

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apital oalition

Don’t be misled on the capital issue

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he issue of Pietermaritzburg’s status as provincial capital has, once again, become a key focus area for city residents ahead of the upcoming national general election on April 22, this year.

Residents will remember that ahead of the 2004 elections, the capital question was a burning issue for voters in our city.

It was of paramount importance to the welfare of our city and its people that our rightful status as the province’s sole seat of the legislature and administrative centre be restored.

We achieved this by putting aside our differences and collectively voted in the best interest of the city, rather than on ideology. For the first time in our

city’s history black, white, rich and poor, the working classes and the business class acted in common purpose.

Ultimately the choice ultimately was quite simple. The IFP wanted Ulundi to be the capital, while the ANC unequivocally supported Pietermaritzburg. City stakeholders endorsed a vote for the ANC and collectively we all helped pave the way for Pietermaritzburg to be declared the capital.

Since then, and as you shall read further in this newsletter, the city has flourished! Thousands of government workers relocated to our city; a large proportion of government spend was directed towards city businesses creating further employ-

ment opportunities; the once depressed property market took a long-awaited upturn, and, all-in-all our economy started flourishing.

If there is one thing we all can agree on, other than our support for Pietermaritzburg as the capital, is that since 2004, our city has experienced unprecedented growth. Further in this supplement you will find interesting articles written by business leaders and economists, explaining just how beneficial capital status has been to our city.

However, all of that can change. The IFP has openly declared that it supports Ulundi as the capital. It will, according to its chairwoman and premier candidate Zanele kaMagwazaMsibi put the matter back on the table, after elections.

This is the reason why the IFP so viciously opposes the building of a modern new legislature in Pietermaritzburg. A brand new multi-million rand legislature would effectively put a permanent end to the IFP’s aspiration of making Ulundi the capital.

The IFP’s stance poses a real and present danger to our city, a threat we cannot ignore, particularly, as the country heads towards a potential economic recession. Now more than ever we need to safeguard the 1000s of people employed by government here in our city. We cannot lose these jobs, nor can we afford to allow our businesses to suffer and retrench further workers.

Again, the choice for us becomes quite simple. Do we want an IFP government that wishes to take the capital to the back of beyond, or do we want a government that supports Pietermaritzburg and its people?

Unfortunately, the smaller parties have very little influence in the provincial legislature.

Even the DA betrayed Pietermaritzburg and its residents by

openly supporting a coalition with the IFP. Read all about how the DA sold out our city, further on in this publication which was sponsored and compiled by a variety of respected city stakeholders who have no other objective, but to preserve and cement the city’s capital status.

All the information in this publication has been researched and verified. When you’re done

reading this, make up your own mind. The facts speak for themselves. Don’t allow cheap propaganda and smear campaigns to cloud your judgement. We need to stand together and vote together, so that our children inherit a city we can all be proud of, a capital city of choice!

An objective vote in the provincial ballot is a vote for the capital.

Premier says capital status provides countless benefits for the city and its residents

Premier Sibusiso ndebele

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waZulu-Natal, like all other provinces, now has an address.

That address is Pietermaritzburg, the province’s capital and nerve centre.

Commenting on the achievement shortly after the 2004 elections, Premier S’bu Ndebele said that Provincial Government moved with speed to ensure that the new status of Pietermaritzburg, as the centre of government, was respected and upheld.

Since being declared capital by the ANC government millions of rands have been spent rejuvenating city centre buildings, including the Office of

the Premier situated in the old Telkom Building. This building now hosts cabinet meetings, civic receptions as well as visiting dignitaries and visitors and investors.

Since the declaration of capital status the area surrounding the Premier’s Building has been converted into a government precinct comprising the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature Building, Umgungundlovu District Municipality, Msunduzi Municipality and various government institutions.

“Practically we feel the declaration of Pietermaritzburg as Capital does not only bring stability to our province, but is a catalyst for the economic development of the city. As a result of government moving into the city, there is going to be an increased need for housing, shopping facilities and other public amenities,’ said Premier Ndebele.

It is now incumbent upon the people of this “City of choice” to grasp opportunities that come with Pietermaritzburg being accorded a capital status, concluded the Premier.

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Respected economists agree that capital status has boosted city’s economy government spend has helped the city through these trying times.

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The declaration of capital status in 2004 in many ways insulated the city from the full effects of the economic slowdown presently being experienced

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IETERMARITZBURG has recorded unprecedented economic growth in the past two years. Experts attribute this to a range of positive developments, from the city securing its capital status and the renewed investor confidence in the city’s administration, to the existence of key stakeholder and business partnerships in the region.

Although the looming national and international recession is taking its toll on local businesses, this phenomena is not unique to just the city.

The declaration of capital status in 2004 in many ways insulated the city from the full effects of the economic slowdown presently being experienced.

Although the manufacturing sector, particularly those with exposure to the export market, are feeling the full impact of the global recession, the benefit of

Prior to the slowdown of the global and national economy an Economic and Business Report published by University of KwaZulu-Natal Economist Clive Coetzee confirmed that the Pietermaritzburg and uMgungundlovu district achieved remarkable growth in economic activity, especially in 2004 and

the second quarter of 2005.

“Pietermaritzburg is fast becoming an economic powerhouse in the province and must be the city with one of the fastest growing economies in the country,” says Coetzee.

He says it is extremely important for the city to make maximum use of the benefits of development and growth of the local economy.

Durban-based economist Bonke Dumisa says a key contributor to the high investor confidence was the re-enforcement of the city’s status as the province’s capital. The relocation of government departments and senior public service staff to the city also encouraged investment.

He said the capital status has meant that many government departments moved back to Pietermaritzburg, and the influx of senior staff members oc-

cupying homes as residents has had a positive effect on property and retail markets.”

Dumisa reflected that there is evidence of good relationships, accountability and partnerships amongst key stakeholders in the city.

“There exists a very good working relationship between political parties, the city administration, government and business. There is regular interaction between the stakeholders and we have seen several projects come to fruition. This does not only bode well for the people of Pietermaritzburg but also for the people of KZN. Donny Pethan, Senior Manager for Business Development at Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIK), further concurs that Pietermaritzburg is a preferred destination for foreign trade investment. He says that investment in the region

has gained momentum since the city was declared capital in 2004.

“We have developed a trade and export portal system to promote export from KZN. This platform allows for all business, including SMMEs to be promoted to 14 000 international buyers,” he added.

City manager Rob Haswell confirmed that Pieternmaritzburg’s status as provincial capital has assisted the city to expand its economy.

“Pietermaritzburg looks set for a period of unprecedented economic activity. With its capital status, strategic N3 location, and far less frantic pace and lifestyle than any other South African city, there is no better place to be,” says Haswell.

Investor confidence boosted by city’s capital status

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ince Pietermaritzburg was declared capital of the province, investor confidence mushroomed resulting in millions of rands pouring into our local economy.

Included in the highlights are:

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The R120 million expansion of Liberty Midlands Mall - a further signal of Pietermaritzburg’s growing economy since the city was reinstated as KwaZulu-Natal’s capital in 2004. The R270 million centre opened in late 2003, and now boasts 55 000 m² of retail shopping space. Currently under construction is a 120 bed 5 star hotel, due to be completed in 2010. The third phase of the shopping centre expansion is due to commence soon.

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The development of the multi-billion rand Golden Horse Casino and Hotel.

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The establishment of the “Motor City” zone for motor dealerships.

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Nampak’s investment of over R100 million in new equipment, information technology and building renovations to merge the old Nampak plant in Pietermaritzburg, and Malbak’s Kohler plant in Pinetown.

Healthcare in Pietermaritzburg received a boost in the form of a combined R130 million investment by private hospital groups Netcare and Medi-Clinic over the past three years.

The groups had completed a comprehensive revamp at St Anne’s Hospital over the past three years. This involved upgrades, extensions and alterations to the value of about R70 million. The upgrade has included the addition of a new radiology and pathology department, new oncology and radiotherapy facilities, a new intensive care unit, additional beds, doctors’ suites, a new four-tier parking garage, a new reception area, coffee

shop, pharmacy and reception area.

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Lever Bros have just completed their new warehouse and distribution centre at Shorrts Retreat, at 30 000m² of floor space, easily the largest industrial space under roof in the city. Transportation companies that do business with Lever Bros are looking for industrial land to relocate their operations to the city.

small-scale and commercial growers. UCL has 550 shareholders and a capital reserve of about R250 million. With an annual turnover of about R500 million, it is a major employer in the area between Pietermaritzburg and Greytown.

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Council has recently approved the sale of land in prime locations in Edendale for the development of a 25 000 to 30 000m² shopping centre, and a private hospital, giving a much needed boost to development in the sprawling township.

UCL’s conversion from a co-operative to a sugar company in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands. The result is more flexibility in decision-making, and promoting investments and growth. Shareholders, who benefit, include

The way is being cleared for a commercial development in Pietermaritzburg, which will be even bigger than the Liberty Midlands Mall.

More than 17ha of land is being made available by the uMsunduzi Municipality for a massive development on the site of the old caravan park in Cleland Road.

The site is roughly twice the size of the Liberty Midlands Mall site and was zoned for special residential purposes.

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Manline Diversified Logistics has invested R20 million in the construction of its new headquarters in Pietermaritzburg.

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The development of an upmarket private housing

estate at the Victoria Golf Club – a project estimated to inject five percent of the rates base in the city.

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Further development is in the pipeline for the old Polo fields. Developers will soon complete a multi-million rand centre that will house Hi Fi Corporation as well as Baby and Company.

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Local retailer Save Cash and Carry recently opened their new superstore. The expansion was one of the largest ever experienced in the CBD and has transformed the Victoria Road area into a retail node.

Adding to this the spate of middle to upper income housing developments in the last few years, and the increasing interest in the establishment of service sector businesses, notably call centres, and one can immediately gauge the impact that our capital status is having on development.

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Can city residents trust the DA to defend the capital?

Riquadeu Jacobs

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he DA is a principled political party, right?

Wrong!

Sadly principles take a back seat these days when it comes to opposition politics. When the DA says on its posters: “Vote to win” they are actually saying “Vote to win at all and any cost”.

They proved this when then ANC provincial chairman S’bu Ndebele tabled a motion on February 26, 2002, at a sitting in the Ulundi legislature, that Pietermaritzburg be declared the capital.

A day before the intended vote on the motion, the DA’s Roger Burrows received a fu-

rious telephone call from the DA’s national leadership warning that a vote in favour of the ANC’s motion would derail any possibility of a coalition with the IFP. Remember, the DA was desperate to clinch a deal with the IFP in order to secure two cabinet seats.

The DA members of the KZN Legislature were ordered NOT to support the ANC’s motion, and, in fact, were instructed to vote against it. Poor Roger Burrows, now really caught between a rock and a hard place, begged the ANC not to go ahead with the motion.

The ANC however stood firm on its promise that Pietermaritzburg be declared the sole capital of KwaZulu-Natal.

Coming back to the ques-

tion posed in the headline. Can we trust the DA to defend the capital? Let the facts speak for themselves: 1. The DA refused to support a previous motion that Pietermaritzburg be declared the capital; 2. The DA pursued a coalition with the IFP; 3. In return for this support the DA was promised two cabinet posts; 4. In this election the DA has remained silent about the capital question; 5. The DA is again open about forming a coalition with the IFP. The cold hard facts speak for themselves. A vote for the DA is

Will the IFP really relocate the capital to Ulundi?

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mphatically yes! Despite overwhelming support for Pietermaritzburg to retain its status as the provincial capital, the IFP bowing to pressure from its rural Zululand constituency, has made it patently clear that Ulundi is its preferred choice.

IFP national chairperson and the party’s premier candidate in KwaZulu-Natal Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi hinted in a letter to the Witness dated March 23, 2009 that the IFP, if they win the election, will hold a referendum on the capital issue.

It is logical to deduce therefore that should the IFP garner sufficient votes to win a majority in the province, it would probably gain sufficient support in a referendum to move the capital back to Ulundi.

According to Peter Miller, a former IFP MEC for Finance in the province, “the capital issue as a whole will be resolved by, and only by, the two big bulls in the KwaZulu-Natal kraal”. By this he meant the ANC and the IFP. Writing in the 2004 Capital Coalition tabloid, Miller explained how then KZN Premier Lionel Mtshali retaliated against the ANC’s 2002 attempt to declare Pietermaritzburg the

provincial capital.

“This arrangement (that of shared capital) came to an end when the legislature, by majority vote, resolved in May 2002 that Pietermaritzburg would be the permanent seat of the legislature (the legislative capital)…

As a counter measure Premier Mtshali exercised his constitutional prerogative in terms of Section 125 of the Constitution and declared Ulundi to be the seat of government (administrative capital)”.

Miller went further to say at the time that the position of the two main political parties in KZN is “clear and unequivocal.” A win by the IFP supports Ulundi, while a win for the ANC favours Pietermaritzburg as both the legislative and administrative capital of the province.

Whether it be at the polls or through a referendum, the IFP has made it patently clear that it is unhappy with Pietermaritzburg being the administrative and legislative capital.

Read Magwaza’s letter to the Witness which is published alongside this article. It’s there in black and white. Support the IFP or an IFP coalition, and Pietermaritzburg is at serious risk of losing its status as provincial capital!

“By considering Ulundi as the capital, the IFP never intended to penalise Pietermaritzburg... we were simply striving to spread state-led development”.

Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi IFP KZN premier candidate (Witness, March 23, 2009) “... the final arbiters in the matter, if transfer of the capital ever becomes an issue again, will be the citizens of KwaZuluNatal”.

Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi IFP KZN premier candidate (Witness, March 23, 2009)

a vote for the IFP. A Vote for the ANC in the provincial ballot is

a vote for Pietermaritzburg!

Lose the capital and we lose the city

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eople sometimes underestimate the importance of Pietermaritzburg’s status as legislative and administrative capital of the province.

Even DA leader Tony Leon couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about when he ordered provincial members to reject the ANC’s motion that Pietermaritzburg be declared the capital in 2002. He was reported as having said at the time that he couldn’t see what was wrong with Ulundi.

Well, pull the plug on Pietermaritzburg as the capital, and this is what will go down the drain: 1. All provincial government departments will relocate to Ulundi; 2. 1000s of staff will either face retrenchment or will be forced into moving to Ulundi; 3. Dozens of commercial properties will become vacant.

The city centre will become a barren wasteland of empty buildings; 4. The city will lose millions of rands in rate’s revenue, and this will curtail its ability to provide services and mainetance; 5. The residential property and rental market will collapse as government workers abandon their houses; 6. The city’s retail sector will suffer tremendously as government workers will now

spend their salaries in Ulundi and Empangeni; 7. The retail sector will be forced into retrenching 1000s of workers; 8. The business community will face further losses as government spend dries up and is directed instead towards businesses located closer to Ulundi. This will create the impetus for further job losses and commercial liquidations The province’s economy will also take a battering It is not only Pietermaritzburg that stand to lose if the capital is relocated. Our entire provincial economy will take strain as we absorb the astronomical costs of relocating back to Ulundi.

In 2004 it was costing taxpayers R300 000 a week, or roughly R1.2 million a month just to hold cabinet meetings in Ulundi. MECs together with their support staff had to be flown in weekly, often for meetings lasting just an hour.

Factor in the costs associated with relocating all government business to the dusty outpost town of Ulundi and the figures become astounding. The consequences of such a possibility is just too costly and will deliver our regional and provincial economy a devastating blow, particularly when considered against the national economic strain our country- is3experiencing.

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CHANGING FACE OF THE INNER CITY

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STATE-OWNED OFFICES IN PIETERMARITZBURG AS AT 8 APRIL 2009 DEPARTMENT NUMBER Agriculture & Environmental Affairs 2 facilities Arts, Culture & Tourism 0 facilities Community Safety and Liaison 0 facilities Economic Development 0 facilities Education 7 facilities Health 1 facility Housing 0 facilities Local government & Traditional Affairs 1 facility Office of the Premier 2 facilities Provincial Legislature 3 facilities Public Works 2 facilities Royal Household 0 facilities Social Development 2 facilities Sport & Recreation 0 facilities Transport 9 facilities Provincial Treasury 0 facilities TOTAL NUMBER 29 FACILITIES NON STATE-OWNED OFFICES IN PIETERMARITZBURG AS AT 8 APRIL 2009 DEPARTMENT NUMBER Arts, Culture & Tourism 3 facilities Community Safety and Liaison 1 facility Economic Development 2 facilities Education 7 facilities Health 2 facilities Housing 3 facilities Local government & Traditional Affairs 1 facility Public Works 1 facility Royal Household 0 facilities Social Development 3 facilities Sport & Recreation 1 facility Transport 1 facility Provincial Treasury 1 facility Welfare 1 facility TOTAL NUMBER 27 FACILITIES GRAND TOTAL 56 FACILITIES

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uring the 2004 elections the African National Congress promised to give Pietermaritzburg capital status should it be given the opportunity to rule.

The capital status included the moving of departmental head offices from Ulundi to the City of Choice.

A tour through the inner city has proven that the party has indeed kept its promise.

Several buildings that had been crumbling in a decaying urban scene five years ago have received ultimate makeovers. The refurbished buildings are all occupied by government.

“We are grateful that government has removed these eyesores. The city started bordering seedy and I used to cringe every time I had to take visitors past the old Trizon Towers and old Joshua Doore buildings,” a tour operator remarked.

According to information provided by the Department of Public Works - responsible for the provision of office facilities to government departments – government now occupies 56 office blocks in Msunduzi, 27 more than in 2004.

The 27 “new” buildings are not state-owned and approximately R4.7m of rental flows in the city monthly. According to statistics provided by Provincial Treasury the number of head office personnel stationed in Pietermaritzburg has more than doubled from 2590 people prior to 2004 to an estimated 6554 for the 2009/2010 financial year.

“There are definitely more opportunities out here than five years ago,” an inner city retail owner commented. “We are all benefiting – from the lady who sells boiled mealies and vetkoek to officials at government buildings to pharmacies and clothing stores.”

For “Mama Action” as workaholic Education MEC Ina Cronjé has been dubbed, the move from Ulundi to Pietermaritzburg has enhanced the potential of service delivery. “A road trip to Ulundi and back takes seven hours out of a day. Some officials used to spend hours on the road just for

an hour’s meeting in Ulundi.

What a waste of precious time!

Not to mention the burden on the tax payers to finance the cost of travelling including the daily aeroplane flights to Ulundi and back! Some officials became permanent fixtures at the airports.”

A deputy manager, who had shared a rented house with colleagues in Ulundi before she relocated to Msunduzi, has fallen in love with the Capital. “My son is so happy in his school and I enjoy living here. Now I am looking for a place to buy – because this is where I want to stay.”

apital oalition

C NEW LEGISLATURE – Cementing the city’s status as capital

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he construction of the new Legislature complex will finally cement the capital status of the City of Choice.

Not only will the multimillion investment provide much-needed space to staff and Members of the Provincial Legislature but it will also broaden the public’s access to parliamentary activities.

Legislature Chief Operations Officer Bongani Sibisi said a report by the Amafa Consortium – appointed as Transaction Advisor – states that the project would promote community involvement in the Legislature activities and proceedings and has the potential of enhancing service delivery.

“The current public gallery can accommodate approximately 120 people at a squeeze. One of the most important Constitutional obligations of the Legislature is that it must involve and facilitate public involvement and hold its sittings in public.

The structure of the current

gallery is such that it cannot be expanded as it cannot take the additional strain – thus limiting the ability of the Legislature to fully carry out its constitutional obligation of involving as many members of the public as possible in its functions.”

Sibisi alluded to the planned complex’s value for the city.

“More visitors equal more money spent in the city. In addition some contracts for the construction and maintenance of the building will be sourced from the city.”

Current accommodation in the old colonial building in Langalibalele Street has been found wanting by the Consortium. “We are operating in a monument,” a staff member complained. “It was built for 30 people in 1887 and despite attempts to expand it, it is simply not big enough for approximately 170 staff members and 80 Members of the Provincial Legislature. And because it is a heritage building alterations to accommodate new require-

ments are made very difficult.

We cannot even replace the tired red carpet, dating from the 1910s, without going through a tedious process.”

The plan to house the Administration and political wings in one complex could not be realised due to the layout of the city and the fact that most buildings have been declared as heritage sites. As a result the current Legislature is housed in four buildings which are separated by Langalibalele Street.

The lack of parking is another frustrating issue for visitors and members.

Contrary to other Legislatures where MPLs have individual offices where they can consult their constituents privately the shortage of space has forced members to share offices, some of different political parties.

These needs and frustrations will all be rectified with the construction of the new Legislature complex which will be established through a Private Public Partnership. “The beauty

of this PPP,” said Sibisi, “is the fact that there will be no cost to government until it has been completed and the cost will be spread over the following 15 years in the form of a unitary fee.”

The bids, which will be received by the Province by 24 April 2009, called for the design, construction and operation of the complex. To reduce costs state land adjacent to Townhill Hospital will be used. If everything goes according to plan

construction can start as early as mid-September 2009.

“The existing Legislature complex in Langalibalele Street will not go to waste,” ensures Sibisi. “With the lack of stateowned buildings in the city it will come in handy as accommodation for one of the smaller departments. In addition the Chamber can be used for Children’s Parliament and other functions – with the approval of the Heritage Board.”

Partnerships boosting the capital

Prof. Peter Zacharias: “The MIDI partnership with the City and Business, will be the expertise, energy and enthusiasm it has brought and will continue to bring in transforming our Capital City into a place we can all be proud and happy to live in.”

The ground breaking-partnership between the Msunduzi Municipality, the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business (PCB) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is well on the way to boosting growth and development in the capital.

The key objective for the three parties is to work together on various projects to make positive contributions to the growth and welfare of the city.

Professor Pete Zacharias [UKZN], chairperson of MIDI, says the agreement, built on the principle of combined partner-

ship, will have far-reaching implications for the region. The positive benefits for education, business and governance will also be extremely powerful.

“The MOU is an agreement that allows the university, municipality and business to work together for the good of the city.

The university offers considerable intellectual and research capacity in this relationship.

The partnership has already launched the Msunduzi Inovation and Development Institute [MIDI] MIDI’s focus areas The activities of the Institute cohere around four lead programmes or pillars:

Signing of the MOU in 2005. Mayor Hloni Zondi, President of PCB Babu Baijoo and Vice Chancellor UKZN Professor Makgoba

A Safe City The Safe City programme will deal with safety in its broadest sense by addressing issues, ranging from crime reduction and provision of good healthcare to water, environmental, energy and food security.

A Learning City This Programme will promote and advance the existing educational strengths of Msunduzi, as manifested in the strong higher and further educational presence and the numerous excellent schools in the area. It will also address issues of disadvantage and inequality in local education through early childhood development, school development and adult education projects.

A Busy City The Busy City Programme will deal with business development and entrepreneurship.

What is necessary to attract new business and promote the growth of industry and commerce in Msunduzi? How can innovation be supported and harnessed?

A Playing City This fourth programme will focus on the development of arts, culture, recreation and leisure facilities in Msunduzi,

for e.g. facilities for sport and family recreation, coffee shops, theatres and art galleries.

In addition to these four lead programmes, the Institute engages in training and capacity building, networking, and dissemination of information among ordinary citizens of the Msunduzi Municipality, and other relevant stakeholders. It also engages in reflective research on the Institute itself, its processes and impact.

Citizens of the city can also forge a partnership that will benefit the city. The Capital Coalition believes that each and every citizen can use their vote in the upcoming general election to collectively make a positive contribution to the growth and welfare of the city, by putting aside party political differences, and voting for Pietermaritzburg to retain and cement its status as the provincial capital.

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Nutan Bhika: CEO Safe City

A safe capital Safety in the capital is of paramount importance. Shortly after being declared capital, the city in partnership with the Safe City Project, as well as the South African Police Services, launched a city-wide state of the art CCTV surveillance system that keeps watch 24 hours a day, particularly in crime hot spots.

A 24-hour monitoring centre keeps remote-controlled cameras focused over the entire network, and, should any crime or suspicious behaviour be noted, the police are immediately dispatched.

Pietermaritzburg has benefited enormously from the fact that we are the provincial capital. It is up to residents and stakeholders to defend our city’s status together with the multitude of benefits that have been accrued.

Capital City in action

A CAPITAL TO BE PROUD OF!

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Don’t just take our word for it...

Other key city stakeholders and residents will be voting for the Capital. Use your vote to defend our city. Vote ANC on the provincial ballot to secure our city’s status as the capital!

Peter Warmington: National Government will probably cut-back our finding allocations if we exhibit such provincial stupidity as to try and move the Capital again!

Riquadeu Jacobs (CEO biz africa media group): Pietermaritzburg is the logical choice.

Melanie Veness: From a tourism perspective it is essential for Pietermaritzburg to retain its Capital status.

Adv. Ranjiv Nirghin: We have all benefited from the unprecedented infrastractural, economic, social and cultural developments since 2004.

Goolam Dawood (MD Willowton Butchry): It’s crazy to contemplate any place other than PMB as Capital.

Ebrahim Kajee (Save Cash & Carry): PMB should be capital as it is good for Economic Growth.

Sipho Khuzayo (Rector FET): If we lose industry the need for skills development will be lost.

Adv. Ravi Padachee: Changing the Capital Status in PMB will indirectly affect Business.

Paris Dlamini (Ekuseni Consultants): We move, we lose.

Naren Sangham (Attorney): Pietermaritzburg has be and always will be a Judicial Centre.

Roshan Morar (Meneber of the Board, Ithala Finance Corporation): Pietermaritzburg is the Economic hub of KZN

Harry Shaw (Shaw&Wall: Property Managers): Our Province needs Pietermaritzburg as the Capital - even more that we do.

Kay Makan (MD KAY MAKAN): Losing Capital Status would create economic strife for the KZN Midlands.

Sipho Madonsela (CEO Emzansi Engineers): Why fix something that’s not broken?

Iqbal Mota (MD Jumbo Footwear): It’s absurd to even think about changing the location of the Capital.

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WHY PMB IS KNOWN AS THE CITY OF CHOICE? W

hat makes Pieternmaritzburg special? What is it about the city that makes it the preferred seat of the provincial capital?

• Pietermaritzburg is the new capital of South Africa’s second most populous province, KwaZulu-Natal; • It is 45 minutes by road from Durban, Africa’s busiest port; • It is one hour by air from Johannesburg International Airport; • Its economy grew by 30% in 2004-2005; • It is an educational centre of excellence; • It is the home of great events such as the Comrades Marathon, the Duzi Canoe Marathon, the Midmar Mile, the Royal Show, Art in the Park and Cars in the Park; • It’s where one can walk in the footsteps of Gandhi,

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Mandela and Paton, and many other truly great South Africans; • New investors are offered flexible incentives by the municipality; • It’s simply a great city in which to live, raise a family and do business.

With all these attributes it makes logical sense that Pietermaritzburg is the capital.

Historically, the city has always been the capital of the province which resulted in significant infrastructural investments.

Natalia, for example, was specifically designed accommodate government.

Pietermaritzburg has the property infrastructure, the road and transportation networks, the skills and human resources, as well as its central location within the province which makes it the ideal seat of the capital.

Babu Baijoo: Councillor and Businessman

What can you do to safeguard the City of Choice?

“Lets not grasp failure from the jaws of sucess.”

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s you have read, the issue of where the provincial capital is located has once again become a key policy question for voters as they prepare to cast their ballots in the 2009 election.

The IFP is very clear on it’s position. Should they come to power with either a majority win, or in coalition with the DA, they will hold an immediate referendum on the matter. It’s logical to presume that should they win the election, in all probability the referendum will go their way as well as allowing them to move the capital back to Ulundi.

This will devastate our city.

Our economy will take a battering; retrenchments will follow; and 1000s of government workers who live here will be forced into either relocating or giving up their jobs. The city’s property market will collapse in the wake of widespread relocations.

The city’s rate’s base will be catastrophically reduced which means that ordinary citizens will have to cough up far more in order to balance the books.

In 2004 city residents faced a similar predicament. Do we vote for the IFP and the DA, or, do we vote for the ANC which stood by its commitment that Pietermaritzburg be the sole seat of the legislature and gov-

ernment? Thankfully we all stood together on this one. We put aside our petty differences and our party politics and voted for the ANC, which was a vote for the capital.

Since then the city’s economy has mushroomed. Major developments including the expansion of the Liberty Mall and Golden Horse Casino, have been completed. More development is taking place at the old Polo fields. A new multi-million rand Stay Easy Hotel is being built along side the Liberty Midland Mall. All of this has come to the city because of our status as provincial capital.

This in turn has boosted local business across all sectors.

Apart from servicing government through its huge procurement budgets, retailers benefit from supplying 1000s of government workers with everything from clothes and food, to cars and banking sector services.

This in turn has created 1000s of additional jobs for the city, jobs we CANNOT afford to lose. Already our city’s industrial and manufacturing sectors are under enormous pressure and are retrenching workers daily. We have to protect those jobs we can protect, particularly the jobs of the 1000s of people employed by government.

Voters in Pietermaritzburg

hold the key to the city’s future.

If we vote for either the IFP or the DA, of any of the other smaller parties, then we are in fact, putting the capital at risk.

As former finance minister Peter Miller puts it: “the capital issue will only be resolved by the two big bulls in the kraal” – the ANC or the IFP. It is up to you the voter to decide where to place your mark.

If the ANC wins this election millions of rands will be made available for the construction of the new legislative comple in our city. This is a critical investment for the city, not only because of the money it will introduce into the economy or the jobs it will create, but because it will, once and for all, cement the city’s status as provincial capital.

The Capital Coalition, which consists of several influential city business and community leaders , is urging all residents to put their city first and vote for the ANC. This is not a local government election, this election is about provincial and national governance and policy.

Irrespective of your political views, vote ANC in the provincial ballot. This is the only way we can safely secure the city’s rightful claim to the capital.