Theme 6: Fostering a CARING and EMPOWERING city Print

Where do we want to be?

Durban has well rounded and caring citizens who act to support the common well-being of Durban and embrace mutual respect, tolerance and compassion for those in need. 

Targets


Short Term Target (10 years) Medium Term Target (20 years) Long Term Target (50 years)
Every Durban resident understands his/her roles and responsibility as a citizen committed to building our city. Tolerance and mutual respect becomes a way of life. The spirit of ubuntu has been re-integrated back into the social fabric of Durban

How will we get there?

Strategy A: Responsible Citizens and Responsive Governance

In a society where citizen’s rights are well protected constitutionally, it is important that this is complemented with an equal focus on individual responsibilities. The caring city that all citizens imagine is founded on residents understanding their individual responsibilities as citizens, and honouring a commitment to uphold the rule of law.  In addition, the responsible citizens that good governance requires need opportunities to interact with governance systems and to have their voices heard.   Citizens that feel included in decision-making will actively support and promote implementation of these decisions.

Strategy B: Engendering mutual respect, the spirit of ubuntu and a culture of helping those in need

Moving from the individual responsibility in strategy A, strategy B focuses on the articulation of a shared vision leading to communal responsibility for sustaining life in our city, country and indeed on the planet. Its emphasis lies on promoting human values based on universal social, cultural and spiritual convictions. Through the deliberate and focused promotion of ubuntu, it is hoped that greater harmony between citizens is fostered, so that mutual respect and tolerance becomes a way of life. This strategy however, goes beyond mutual respect, aiming to inculcate a culture that places a premium on helping those on need; as all people are part of one common humanity. 

Strategy C: Personal empowerment and development

Over and above the vocational skills that are advocated as part of the Prosperous City theme, it is important that everybody has access to life long learning so that they are personally empowered, confident citizens. Personal development in this strategy covers all aspects of the total human being, including ensuring sound physical, psychological and emotional well being. A particular emphasis is placed on sports development as a means to maintain physical and mental health. 

Strategy D: Training youth for model citizenship

The Imagine Durban plan recognises that future lies in the hands of its young people. It therefore advocates that, if the vision of a caring and empowering city is to be realised, each of the strategies outlined above must be targeted towards young people.

What should be done?

Action List Individuals Civil Society Business Local  government Provincial & National Government
 
Strategic Goal 6.A: :Responsible Citizens and Responsive Government
6.A,1 Participation in local governance Vote, pay your rates, participate in relevant consultation events, and attend local ward committee meetings. Participate in relevant consultation events, comment on relevant policy documents, and assist the marginalised to get their voices heard. Participate in relevant consultation events, and comment on relevant policy documents. Host local consultation events, create consultation structures and make policy documents available for comment.  Consider comment and change of policies where appropriate.  
6.A,2 Obey rule of law Observe local by-laws against litter, disturbances etc. Promote awareness of local by-laws, and how they contribute to better neighbourhoods and communities. Observe local by-laws against litter, disturbances etc. Active enforcement of local by-laws.  
6.A,3 Responsible citizens awareness   Schools to initiate discussions on life skills, responsible citizenship and human values. Media to promote discussions on responsible citizenship Use local government communication channels to promote awareness of responsible citizenship.  
 
Strategy 6.B:  Engendering mutual respect, the spirit of ubuntu and a culture of helping those in need
6.B.1 Promote warm and caring neighbourhoods based on the philosophy of Ubuntu All parents to inculcate into their children a culture of compassion, caring, selflessness and philanthropy based on African principles. NGOs to assist in spreading  philosophy of ubuntu Business to promote spirit of ubuntu. Civil servants to adopt spirit of ubuntu in dealing with the public and implementation of city policy.  
6.B.2 Mutual respect Learn about cultures and religions of people of different races and from different countries.  Show respect for differences. Promote knowledge of different cultures, religions and ethnicities. Encourage staff to learn more about the cultures, religions and histories of their co-workers. Use channels of communication to promote better awareness of the different cultures, religions and origins of people living in Durban.  
6.B.3 Caring for children Help protect children in your area. Develop your individual parenting skills. Promote programmes that encourage the concept of “My child is your child”.  Facilitate and promote parenting skills education.  Be active in finding solutions for vulnerable children within your business area and for keeping them safe and off the street. Create programmes to ensure vulnerable children are protected and taken to places of safety.  
6.B.4 Supporting Charitable Organisations Support charitable organisations with time and resources.  Give things you no longer need to charity. Locate local charities so you can donate left-overs from functions.  Build networks between charities. Sponsor charitable organisations.  Media to raise awareness of charitable organisations and their needs. Provide grants to charitable organisations, and use communication channels to raise awareness of the needs of charitable organisations.  
 
Strategy 6.C: Personal empowerment and development
6.C.1 Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) Identify your own individual training needs that will advance your personal empowerment agenda. Training NGOs to roll-out ABET programmes. Businesses to pay for less literate staff to attend ABET and claim back through training SETAS. Intensify current ABET programmes. Provincial Welfare Department to co-sponsor and facilitate ABET programmes and sponsor through SETAS.
6.C.2 Physical Health Practice a healthy lifestyle and make sure that you are aware of behaviours (such as unsafe sex, smoking and poor eating) that can contribute to illness and a reduction in quality and length of life. Educate people on unsafe practices such as unsafe sex, use of drugs and smoking.  Provide counselling services. Ensure staff are educated on how to maintain physical health, and are aware of behaviours that are unsafe. Use channels of communication to educate people on healthy living and, to discourage unhealthy practices such as unsafe sex, smoking and use of drugs. Use channels of communication to educate people on healthy living and to discourage unhealthy practices such as unsafe sex, smoking and use of drugs. 
6.C.3 Physical fitness Keep fit and active. Create opportunities for participation in a variety of physical activities. Establish businesses that offer physical training opportunities.    
6.C.4 Participate in sports and other hobbies Participate in local sports clubs, sports events or other activities such as chess etc.   Sponsor sports equipment for disadvantaged areas. Organise annual local sports events to provide opportunities for local clubs.  Assist disadvantaged areas to access equipment and sports facilities.  
 
Strategy 6.D: Training youth for model citizenship:
6.D.1 Identifying Community Champions Community Champions committed to transferring their skills and expertise to young people in their respective communities, with a specific focus in disadvantaged areas. Create programmes specifically for youth empowerment. Sponsor programmes aimed at youth empowerment. Identify and form partnerships with organizations and individuals involved in youth work. Identify and form partnerships with organizations and individuals involved in youth work.
6.D,2 Setting up institutional structures for youth development Participate in youth structures. NGOS to establish youth forums as platforms for youth and stakeholders to engage on issues affecting youth. Sponsor youth forums and mentorship programmes. Develop a data base of unemployed and out of school youth and network youth with opportunities.   
6.D,3 Encouraging Youth Voluntarism Participate in youth volunteer programmes. NGOS to formulate youth volunteer programmes, where young people can learn, practice their skills, be mentored and nurtured; while at the same time contribute to improving the quality of life in their respective communities.

Make volunteer work a criteria for entry into tertiary institutions.

  Encourage youth volunteer programmes through discounts for facilities, rebates and sponsorship.  
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