Podcasts about umngeni

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson is on a nationwide tour to address issues surrounding the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). During a recent visit to uMngeni, KwaZulu-Natal, he heard firsthand accounts of abuse, nepotism, and exploitation within the program. Workers reported being excluded due to political connections, while some jobs were allegedly sold for money or loyalty. The Minister acknowledged these concerns and emphasized the need for reform. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson

After falling short in his campaign to become KZN Premier in Election'24, Christopher Pappas returned to the executive mayorship of the uMngeni municipality. He has wasted no time in raising the pressure to reverse some blatant iniquities which have led to an electricity delivery mess in affluent Hilton. Pappas's quest has significant implications nationally in a country where laws are often excellent, but the practical application of them just terrible. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Just as his party is able to use its governance of the Western Cape as a ‘prospectus' for voters, uMngeni executive mayor Christopher Pappas (32) can point to his own record since taking office in November 2021. And the fluent isiZulu speaker believes it's a message resonating in a province where there is a growing realisation what you do at the ballot box can make a difference. With support for the ANC collapsing in KZN after the emergence of Jacob Zuma's MK party, Pappas offers thoughts on the issues which will determine how votes are cast on May 29 - and shares his own message of hope for those in the embattled province. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.

The DA's offering an additional reward for information about the murder of the party's uMngeni chief whip Nhlalayenza Ndlovu. Website

Ten (10) bullets were pumped in the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) Chief Whip in the uMngeni municipality - after police did not act on evidence of threats against him over the removal of illegall electricity connections. After he was shot, the phone at the police station rang unanswered. And it took police hours to arrive at the house of the slain man who was assassinated in front of his wife and children. This has emerged from a BizNews interview with Francois Rodgers, the provincial leader of the DA. Rodgers believes the killing was politically motivated as there were “certain threats against him relating to the disconnection of illegal electricity connections”. He says the “lack of consequence” for this type of killing makes it very easy for these hitmen to be able to operate in the political and the traditional leadership space. Unless there were “swift” consequences, it just becomes a “means to an end for people to make money and to eliminate those who are trying to do their job”. While the DA will now beef up security around certain party officials, it is “not going to go into a hole and avoid this campaign going into 2024”. - Chris Steyn

Nicholas Lorimer and Hermann Pretorius discuss the murder of DA Chief Whip in the uMngeni municipality and the trend of political violence across the country. They also chat about the decline in the quality of drinking water across the country. They lastly discuss French businesses deciding not to invest in SA due to the lack of reforms. Website · Facebook · Instagram · Twitter

16.11.23 Pt 3 - Chris Pappas is the DA's Premier Candidate for KwaZulu-Natal for the 2024 election, and current Mayor of the uMngeni local municipality. He joins Gareth and Phumi in studio for a Burning Platform special to share some fiery opinions on the current government, his journey as mayor, and his plans for the future of KZN. www.cliffcentral.com

Chris Pappas is the Premier candidate on the DA’s list for KZN next year. Doing an already excellent job in the uMngeni local municipality, could premiership soon be a reality for Mr Pappas? Gareth and Phumi do a deep dive with Chris on the current state of government, his vision for KZN, and how people can change their futures by voting. The Burning Platform The Burning Platform The Burning Platform

Chris Pappas is the Premier candidate on the DA's list for KZN next year. Doing an already excellent job in the uMngeni local municipality, could premiership soon be a reality for Mr Pappas? Gareth and Phumi do a deep dive with Chris on the current state of government, his vision for KZN, and how people can change their futures by voting. The Burning Platform

Chris Pappas is the Premier candidate on the DA’s list for KZN next year. Doing an already excellent job in the uMngeni local municipality, could premiership soon be a reality for Mr Pappas? Gareth and Phumi do a deep dive with Chris on the current state of government, his vision for KZN, and how people can change their futures by voting. The Burning Platform The Burning Platform

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen is confident that the "remarkable" turnaround happening in KwaZulu-Natal's (KZN's) uMngeni municipality could be replicated province-wide, if KZN voters install a Multi-Party Charter government in 2024. Steenhuisen wrote in his weekly letter on Friday that having borne the brunt of the African National Congress's "failure" during the July riots of 2021, KZN looks set to "rise from the ashes" next year. He highlighted that uMngeni municipality has quickly become a shining beacon of hope and success in this "deeply troubled province". "Its trajectory of progress began when the people of uMngeni elected KZN's very first DA mayor in 2021 by a margin of just 46 votes, showing Springbok-style, that every point counts. uMngeni's success is not due to one person or factor, but rather to consistent effort and commitment by a well-led group of diverse South Africans working together for the greater good," he said. uMngeni Mayor Chris Pappas is the DA's Premier candidate for KZN. "Our '1+1=WIN' campaign is targeted at getting every single DA supporter to play their part, by persuading and assisting one unregistered person they know, to register and vote DA," Steenhuisen said. He highlighted the service delivery pact signed by the DA and Inkatha Freedom Party earlier this year, and said the parties are the two largest in the Multi-Party Charter that has united eight political parties around a common vision and set of priorities for rescuing South Africa. Steenhuisen explained that on taking office, uMngeni's youthful team, led by Pappas and DA Deputy Mayor Sandile Mnikathi, rolled up their sleeves and got down to work cleaning up the streets, fixing infrastructure, and igniting the economy of the Midlands municipality. In just two years, all uMngeni's inherited debt had been paid off and it achieved an unqualified audit for 2022/23, by modernising the systems of the municipality to improve efficiency and limit corruption, he explained. Steenhuisen added that this financial health had enabled the party to purchase R35-million worth of heavy equipment to fix roads and manage waste, and to triple the budget for road repairs from R11-million to R30-million. To make communities safer, the DA opened a traffic office and vehicle pound, and purchased 6 new law enforcement vehicles. "They understand keenly that this is the consistent, concerted action required to build people's confidence in the future, which in turn spurs the investment and job creation needed to grow dignity and improve lives," said Steenhuisen.

This is the message Chris Pappas, the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) candidate for Premier in KwaZulu-Natal, has for those who have accused him of nepotism. He speaks to BizNews after the Public Protector and the Speaker of the uMngeni municipality were both asked to investigate him. Pappas says the Speaker already investigated a couple of months ago - and stresses that he has nothing to hide. He also confirms that he has received “lots of threats”, but is full of courage. “When you're a threat, and when there's money involved, and when there's power and positions involved, and you do not have law and order, and the criminal justice system is largely dysfunctional, and the value for life and moral engagement, has deteriorated to where it is, then you do have the situation that I'm sitting in at the moment. But you also can't let that deter you.” Pappas also talks about the latest polling data; lists his priorities after next year's election; and details the actions taken over the last 23 months to turn his municipality into what DA leader John Steenhuisen described as a “a shining beacon on the hill while the rest of KZN lies in ruin.” - Chris Steyn

The African National Congress and Economic Freedon Fighters in KwaZulu-Natal are calling for action to be taken against Umngeni Municipality Mayor Chris Pappas for alleged nepotism. Former DA provincial leader Sizwe Mchunu wrote to the public protector to investigate allegations that Pappas' former fiancée was given R100 000 in funding for his tourism business by the Umngeni Municipality. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to EFF provincial spokesperson Mazwi Blose

At 35, it's tempting to make parallels between Tshwane's new executive mayor Cilliers Brink and his counterparts in Cape Town and uMngeni, better exposed Young Lions of the Democratic Alliance. If anything, though, the legally-trained Pretoria lad faces an even more formidable challenge than counterparts Geordin Hill-Lewis and Chris Pappas. While they run local governments where the DA enjoys an outright majority, Brink leads a fragile political coalition recently embarrassed by a handful of members who secretly voted with the ANC/EFF rivals. But Brink sees his glass as half full. In this interview, he explains what is being done to overcome recent setbacks, including a missed opportunity to tackle load-shedding and an appalling audit report. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

uMngeni's mayor says he will not be deterred from his goal of achieving an accountable and corruption-free municipality.

In this riveting talk at the fourth BizNews conference, mayor of uMngeni Chris Pappas, speaks about the process of being elected to his municipality, the incredible things going on in the municipality as well as what the municipality has managed to accomplish in the short time it's been in office.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christopher Pappas, DA Mayor of uMngeni tells how he has to sleep on different places in order to stay safe from the ANC and other political rivals.

Die DA-burgemeester van Umngeni moet, volgens 'n berig op Biznews, elke aand op 'n ander plek slaap om sy veiligheid te verseker weens dreigemente vanuit die ANC. Chris Pappas het as burgemeester na die November munisipale verkiesing oorgeneem in die voormalige ANC-munisipaliteit. Dit lyk of die ANC heftig gekant is teen die verbeteringe wat Pappas en sy raad besig is om aan te bring. Dit voorspel niks goed vir komende tussenverkiesings en die nasionale verkiesing in 2024 nie, as die ANC, soos verwag word, mag gaan moet afstaan aan ander partye en koalisies. Ek vra na aanleiding hiervan aan prof. André Duvenhage wat ons van die ANC kan verwag as hulle moet mag oorgee.

After a bright start, the US stock market closed lower last night - initially helped by better than expected numbers from Goldman Sachs, then knocked by bad news from Apple and IBM. Bitcoin is enjoying fresh demand after holding above its key support level of $20k this month - it rose to almost $23k last night before settling at $22k - reason: US interest rates unlikely to be raised as aggressively as anticipated. Also in today's BizNews Breakfast Briefing, energy group Total stands out as an 'innocent bystander' of the share market rout; the DA is creating an excellent 'prospectus' for KZN with its turnaround of previously hapless uMngeni municipality; and UK scoring own goals for the economy (and the Tories) through its fractious PM succession race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last November, Chris Pappas was elected executive mayor of the KZN Midlands municipal district which covers Howick, Hilton and Nottingham Road. His eight months in office have thrown up challenges ranging from potential bankruptcy to dealing with politically-instigated violence. But the 30 year old DA Young Lion is proving more than equal to the task as you'll hear in this interview with Alec Hogg of BizNews.com. Pappas is to deliver a keynote address at the fourth BizNews Conference being held at the Champagne Sports Resort in the Drakensberg from August 30 to September 2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union says at least 58 healthcare services have been damaged by the KwaZulu-Natal floods with hospitals and clinics struggling to provide normal services. This situation has been made worse by the damage to roads and infrastructure including the power supply with several areas without any water supply due to the Umngeni infrastructure being damaged. Healthcare workers have also since been struggling to get to and from work, as most roads remain inaccessible. For more on the concerns around the health and safety of healthcare workers, Elvis Presslin spoke to the YNITU's General Secretary Lerato Mthunzi

Today's Daily Friend Show with Michael Morris, Sara Gon and Nicholas Lorimer. The Crew chats about plans by the ANC to amalgamate several municipalities which would eliminate the DA run uMngeni. They also chat about SA's fuel price and Cyril before the Human Rights Commission. Subscribe on Google Podcasts · Subscribe on Apple Podcasts · Subscribe on Spotify

One of the biggest shocks of South Africa's Local Elections in November was the victory by the Democratic Alliance in the 67% Zulu-speaking, previously ANC-supporting uMngeni municipality. The surprise victory, the DA's first in KZN, owes much to the efforts of multilingual Chris Pappas, who although only 30 is already something of a veteran at the DA. Pappas, born in Mooi River and the son of KZN Midlands farmers, describes himself as pragmatic but also "a hopeless idealist". He may well reflect a political future few South Africans believe possible. Here's his unlikely story

In this episode of the BizNews Power Hour, "Doctor of Uncertainty" Dr Richard Smith offers his insights into volatile US tech stocks; we meet the surprise of November's Local elections, 30 year old uMngeni mayor Chris Pappas; Tongaat whistleblower Dave Woollam explains why he's horrified at recent developments at the company - including the shadowy attempt by a Zimbabwean tobacco family to acquire the business on the cheap; and we find out about one of Michael Appel's favourite Zondo witnesses - the brazen huckster who ran the SA operations of multinational Swissport.

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said on Friday the DA mayors have to focus first on strengthening workable coalitions in the country's vulnerable metros and municipalities, assuring co-governing parties that the DA will foster a productive and mutually respectful environment. The November 1 local government elections, which were a huge disappointment for the African National Congress, saw the installation of DA mayors in uMngeni, in KwaZulu-Natal; in Ekurhuleni, in Gauteng; and in the Beyers Naude municipality in the Eastern Cape, among others. He said mayors must draw up a short-term plan for urgent service delivery and obtain a detailed picture of the municipality – from its financial status, debt and income to its infrastructure backlog, service delivery arrears and current projects. Addressing the media at the party's headquarters in Johannesburg, Steenhuisen said the party was mindful of the enormous challenge that lay ahead for its mayors, particularly in the hung metros and municipalities where the party was going to have to quickly establish good working relationships with its new co-governing parties. “I also want to assure our co-governing parties that we will do all we can to foster a productive and mutually respectful environment. We owe it to the millions of residents in these cities and towns, and to every voter who made it possible to remove the ANC there, to prove that multi-party democracy works for them,” he said. He stated that given the country's enormous challenges, the party simply could not afford to indulge a government that “lives in the past and clings to its fading history”. That will not solve the country's problems, he added. He pointed out that the DA's talks with other parties that have not signed coalition agreements were still ongoing. “We are reaching out to these parties as we try to establish majority coalitions in these hung councils. This will be critical if we want to create stable governments that are able to best serve residents,” he said. Steenhuisen pointed out that this year's local government election had been a watershed moment in the country's history as a democracy. . He said the days of operating in political silos were over, and added that the sooner the party identified its allies, the better off everyone would be. “You will find these allies all around you. They might sit in the council chamber under the banner of a different party, but many of them want to see the same improvements to people's lives as you do. We have to find ways to still remain firm and true to our principles, while building and maintaining bridges with council colleagues from other parties. Nowhere is this more important than in the minority governments - and particularly the Gauteng metros - where we are going to have to write a whole new chapter on selfless and cooperative public service,” he said particularly to the DA mayors present at the briefing. He said mayors would also find allies outside of politics, and noted that cooperation with them was no less important. “Reach out to NGOs, to civil society, to churches and to educators. Pay attention to groups and individuals who approach you with suggestions - be open to ideas,” Steenhuisen urged his mayors.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) won control of its first local municipality, uMngeni, in KwaZulu-Natal during the 2021 Local Municipality Elections. Rian van Heerden chatted to uMngeni mayor-elect Chris Pappas on Jacaranda FM's The Scenic Drive with Rian. Pappas, 30 was elected as mayor while Sandile Mnikathi, 26, took the deputy mayor position. Pappas is not only one of the youngest mayors but is also fluent in isiZulu. Read more here

The Democratic Alliance (DA) won control of its first local municipality, uMngeni, in KwaZulu-Natal during the 2021 Local Municipality Elections. Rian van Heerden chatted to uMngeni mayor-elect Chris Pappas on Jacaranda FM's The Scenic Drive with Rian. Pappas, 30 was elected as mayor while Sandile Mnikathi, 26, took the deputy mayor position. Pappas is not only one of the youngest mayors but is also fluent in isiZulu. Read more here

Eusebius decided to hang out with the Democratic Alliance's nominee for deputy mayor of uMngeni Municipality, Sandile Mnikathi. Interestingly, he does not identify as a liberal but as a social democrat. On Eusebius on TimesLIVE he explained the difference. He also tells us about his personal biography and how, as the son of a domestic worker, he has come to live comfortably within a blended family featuring black and white family but which is not a life that is crudely reducible to race as such. The discussion ended with a description of the plans for the Municipality, Mnikathi's response to those who think he is excitingly young but maybe too inexperienced for the job, and finally some thoughts on his academic journey including his research focus for his PhD which flows from his Master's work.

Eusebius decided to hang out with the Democratic Alliance's nominee for deputy mayor of uMngeni Municipality, Sandile Mnikathi. Interestingly, he does not identify as a liberal but as a social democrat. On Eusebius on TimesLIVE he explained the difference. He also tells us about his personal biography and how, as the son of a domestic worker, he has come to live comfortably within a blended family featuring black and white family but which is not a life that is crudely reducible to race as such. The discussion ended with a description of the plans for the Municipality, Mnikathi's response to those who think he is excitingly young but maybe too inexperienced for the job, and finally some thoughts on his academic journey including his research focus for his PhD which flows from his Master's work.

We speak to Janis Holmes, the DA councillor for Ward 2 in uMngeni which covers the Howick CBD about an initiative to starting to clean up the town following the riots.  She says it began with about five people, including herself, cleaning up  and they were soon joined by two shopkeepers and then a few other older Howick residents. Cleaning continued this morning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.