Durban — One Merebank, a campaign by residents of China Town and the Navy sections to be incorporated back into ward 68 from ward 75, has received a much-needed boost following the endorsement by the Merebank Alliance Forum.
Merebank, a predominantly Indian suburb south of Durban, was divided into two ahead of the 2021 elections, with the China Town and Navy sections on the north-west side of the M4 highway falling under ward 75, while upper and lower ridge areas on the south-east side of the highway remained under ward 68.
Residents under ward 75 have begun a campaign demanding to be returned to ward 68 to be with the main suburb. The campaign, dubbed “One Merebank, One Ward, One Voice”, is being spearheaded by the Merewest Community Foundation on behalf of the aggrieved residents of China Town and the Navy sections.
The campaign has now been endorsed by both ward 68 councillor Aubrey Snyman and the Merebank Alliance Forum. Speaking to the “Daily News” on Monday, Snyman said he fully supported the campaign by residents of China Town and the Navy to be placed back into ward 68, saying the campaign started two years ago after residents complained of lack of services under ward 75.
Merebank Alliance Forum leader Pastor Victor Kupsamy said the forum fully supported the move, saying there was no reason to divide the community since they socialised together, and shared churches and mosques and shopping centres.
“We support the campaign, hence we have organised a mass meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss the matter. We are one people with one culture, so there was no reason to cut one section and place it somewhere else. We use the churches and mosque, same cultural activities, but when it comes to services we can't share them because we live in different wards. That is wrong, and I hope the Demarcation Board will grant our brothers’ and sisters’ request to be incorporated back into the main Merebank,” said Kupsamy.
He urged residents to attend the meeting in their numbers. It will take place at the Merebank Community Centre.
“It is imperative that residents and stakeholders attend this meeting, as the feedback will form part of the presentation to the City, which will be held next week,” said Kupsamy.
The Demarcation Board, which is responsible for demarcation of the wards, has confirmed that its team will be in Durban to hold awareness sessions in preparation for the public hearings on demarcation.
WhatsApp your views on this story at 071 485 7995.
Daily News