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2010 fast facts

South Africa's national football squad

The country's football team is known as Bafana Bafana - "the boys, the boys" in isiZulu - a name that comes from the fans' cry that went up during the squad's triumph at the 1996 African Cup of Nations, hosted in SA. Other than winning that tournament, Bafana Bafana have twice qualified - in 1998 and 2002 - for the Fifa World Cup since the end of South Africa's sporting isolation.

Why South Africa was awarded the 2010 World Cup

Fifa decided that the 2010 tournament would be hosted by an African country, with five countries - South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Libya - in the running. In 2004 the organisation's inspection committee announced that South Africa had the potential to organise an "excellent" World Cup - compared to Egypt and Morocco's potential to organise "very good" World Cups, Tunisia's potential to organise a "good" World Cup, and the probability that Libya would "face great difficulties in organising a World Cup to the standards required".

Economic benefits

It has been estimated that the 2010 World Cup will create some 129 000 jobs, contribute around R21-billion to the country's gross domestic product and another R7.2-billion in government taxes, with the 350 000 visitors spending a some R9.8-billion in the country.

Use of the Fifa logo

Only accredited Fifa partners and sponsors are allowed to use the 2010 Fifa World Cup logo in their publicity and advertising.

Tickets

Some 3-million tickets will be available for the 2010 World Cup's 64 matches. One third, or a million, will be allocated to South African football fans, another million to international visitors, and the third million to sponsors, teams and the "Fifa family". Tickets are likely to go on sale in 2008.

What is a vuvuzela?

Some would say it's South Africa's national musical instrument. It's a big plastic trumpet, brightly coloured, and is blown with gusto by all fans at every football match in the country. The sound it makes is something between the bellow of a constipated elephant and the buzzing of a giant swarm of baritone bees, but South Africans like it.

This information was originally published on MediaClub, a portal created by the International Marketing Council.

How can we help you?

City services

What do I pay the municipality for?

Services supplied by the municipality include: water, electricity, refuse removal, sewerage and assessment rates.

How am I billed for municipal services?

You will be sent a monthly statement that details charges. The due date for payment is clearly indicated. Water and electricity charges are based on actual consumption. In the case of debit meters, consumption is determined by readings taken from the meters. In the case of pre-payment meters, the meter will be “charged” with units.
Charges for refuse removal depend on the usage of a property. Businesses, such as restaurants and supermarkets, are charged at a higher fee than domestic consumers because of the nature and volume of the refuse to be collected.
Sewerage charges and refuse charges are levied on an annual basis with the assessment rates account, but can be paid in 12 instalments on receipt of a once-off written application to pay monthly.

How do I make an enquiry?

Contact your nearest municipal office in person, by telephone or by fax. If you speak to someone in person or over the telephone, make sure that you record that person’s name if they are unable to resolve your enquiry immediately. This will be of assistance should you need to follow up your enquiry.

What happens when I make an enquiry?

If the enquiry staff member is unable to solve your query immediately, it will be forwarded to the relevant section or department that will be able to assist. You will be contacted through the means of your choice (telephone, fax, mail or email) and informed of the result.

What can I do if I am dissatisfied with the service I have received?

Make sure you have noted the person’s name who helped you. Ask to speak to that person’s supervisor.

Accounts

Where can I find my nearest municipal office?

There are municipal offices in:
Green Valley, Kurland, Kranshoek, Kwanokuthula, New Horizons and Plettenberg Bay.

How do I claim a refund once I have closed my account and a credit balance remains?

When a service cancellation form has been completed, a cheque will be sent to the forwarding address. If you have not received the cheque within 14 days, you should contact the municipal enquiry office and request a refund cheque.

What methods can I use to pay my account?

Bitou Municipality supports the following methods of payment: cash, cheque (if cheque payment history is good), direct deposits to bank accounts, electronic fund transfers, Easy Pay, Pay a Bill.
It is vital that you include a valid reference number when making a direct deposit or electronic fund transfer.

How do I make a payment in person?

Ensure that you have your account or a copy of the account with you. Visit your nearest municipal enquiry office. Make sure that the cashier counts the money in front of you. Do not accept any receipt other than one printed by the computer. Check your change in front of the cashier. If you leave before checking your change, you are implying that you are satisfied with the transaction. Any error will be much more difficult to resolve at a later staqe. Make sure your account number is printed on the receipts and that the amount is correct.

Why is my direct deposit payment not reflected on my account?

Check that you used the correct account number as a reference. Make sure your payment was made before the account was issued. Remember that this type of payment will only appear on your account a few days after the payment was made. If your payment is still not reflected, contact the main municipal office.

When is my account due?

Accounts are due on the 15th of each month.

When is my statement posted?

Account statements are posted on the 25/26th of each month.

What should I do if I don't receive an account?

The municipality makes every effort to print accurate statements and have them posted timeously. However, outside parties are used for the actual delivery, which means the municipality cannot guarantee you will receive your statement in time. If the due date is near and you have not yet received your statement, request a copy from your nearest enquiry office. If you fail to pay your account in time, you will be liable for credit control action even if you have not received your account yet, as your account will have been sent in good faith. The onus is on you to request a duplicate statement.

When is interest charged on an account?

You will be charged interest if you pay after the due date or you pay less than the amount required.

Why do I still receive a statement after I have closed my account?

Although the account is closed, payment is due for services supplied. Readings are six to eight weeks behind.

What happens if I fail to pay my municipal account?

If you do not pay your account by the due date, you will be liable for credit control action. If you use a conventional electricity meter, the supply to that property may be suspended until the arrears and penalty fee have been paid in full. If you use a prepaid electricity meter, a blocking will be placed on vending computers to prevent you from buying electricity until all arrears have been settled in full. Legal action will be instituted should these measures fail to recover the arrears.

When will my electricity be disconnected?

If your account is 14 days in arrears, an instruction will be given to disconnect your electricity.

If my electricity has been blocked or disconnected, whom should I contact?

You should phone 044 501 3031 or 044 501 3034 or 044 501 3035.

What should I do if I don't understand my account?

Contact the enquiry desk in person, by telephone or by fax

What should I do if I think my account is incorrect?

Contact the enquiry desk in person, by telephone or by fax.

What should I do if I am approached by people who claim they can reduce my monthly electricity or water account?

Telephone the relevant municipal department for advice. Do not allow anyone to tamper or interfere with your meter or pipes/cables leading to the meter. It is illegal for a consumer or private contractor to tamper with a water/electricity meter. You will be held liable if your meter is tampered with.

Rates

I own my property, why should I pay rates on it?

It is important to remember that the municipality has to fund most projects and maintenance in its area itself. Road maintenance storm water drainage systems, electricity consumed by street lighting and many other services which directly or indirectly benefit the city’s residents have to be financed. The income from rates charges finances these and other community services.

How does the value of my property affect my rates bill?

Rates are calculated by charging a percentage of the valuation of your property as an annual fee. The higher the value of your property, the higher your rates will be. The value of the property is determined by valuers (contracted) and the resulting value is multiplied by a factor (eg 2.4%) which in turn results in the amount of rates charged. These funds are then used by the municipality to maintain the city infrastructure (eg roads and streetlights.)

What do I do if my service has been cut off because my account is overdue?

Contact the Enquiry Office on 044 501 3035 and establish the full balance owing as well as the reconnection fee. Make these payments and take the receipts to the credit control section where a staff member will arrange for the reconnection of your services.

Electricity

Why does my electricity or water account have a consistent average and then suddenly drop or rise?

A meter reader reads your meter each month. If the meter reader is unable to read your meter for some reason (eg dogs, locked gate), he may record an estimated reading. Once an actual reading is taken and the estimated reading was found to be lower than the actual reading, your account will be higher as a result of the amount you were undercharged during the unread period. If, once an actual reading is taken, the estimated reading was found to be higher than the actual reading, your account will be lower as a result of the amount you were overcharged during the unread period.

What should I do if there is no one at my property during the day and the meter readers cannot read my meters?

You can read your own meters and then telephone the municipal office with the readings and the date they were taken. At least once a year, you will be expected to make an appointment to meet a meter reader at your premises in order to confirm the readings.

How do I buy electricity?

Visit your nearest vendor or receipting office with either your swipe card or an old token for your address. Make sure that the vendor or cashier counts the money in front of you. Check your change in front of the vendor or cashier. If you leave before checking your change, you are implying that you are satisfied with the transaction. Any error is much more difficult to resolve at a later stage. Make sure the correct details are printed on the token and that the amount is correct.

How much is a deposit for a conventional meter and prepaid meter?

Conventional meters cost R199.78. Prepaid meters cost R290.90

How much does it cost to install a prepaid meter?

R172.14

How long do I have to wait for a prepaid meter box to be installed?

It takes two weeks to install a prepaid meter box.

Can a deposit for electricity and water be transferred?

No.

What do I need to do when moving to have my services connected?

Take your ID document and the correct address where you require the connection to the municipal enquiries office. Take money or a cheque book along with you as deposits and connection fees are payable.
Ask for connection forms at the enquiry counter and about the deposit and connection fees.
Complete the connection forms and submit them to the enquiries desk, where they will be captured on to the municipal billing system. You will then be given an account number.
Then you can proceed to the cashier and make the required payments. The cashier will keep your connection form and forward it to the correct department for connection.

What do I need to do when moving out of a house, flat or business premises?

Take your ID document along with you to the municipal enquiries office. You will be asked the address of the property you plan to move out of and the date you wish to have your services disconnected. Ask for disconnection forms at the counter. Complete the forms and hand them in at the enquiries desk.

How do I contact the Electricity Department?

044 501 3000 or 044 501 3277 or 044 501 3278

Water

How do I determine if there is a water leak on my property?

Try to establish whether there are any damp areas on the ground or on the walls where your pipes run. Make sure that the geyser is not overflowing by checking the overflow pipe on the roof. Check the cisterns of each toilet on the property to ensure that the rubber seal is effective and water is not continually running into the bowl. If a hissing sound can be heard from the water pipes when no taps are running, there is probably a leak.
Make sure that no taps are dripping – a dripping tap can waste more than 200 litres of water a day or about 6.5 Kilolitres a month.

Who is responsible for fixing water leaks?

The municipality maintains and repairs the water mains up to the water meter. The area from the meter to the taps is the responsibility of the owner or tenant, depending on the lease agreement. If you have a leak on the property, contact a private plumbing contractor to make the necessary repairs. It is in your own interest to have a leak repaired immediately as you will be charged at a higher rate as you consumption increases.
If there is a burst pipe or leak on a roadway or pavement report it to Water Services. It is illegal for a consumer or private contractor to tamper with a water meter.

How do I contact Water Services?

You can contact Water Services by telephoning 044 501 3122 or the Water Manager at 044 501 3121

Free services and subsidies

What are the free basic services?

Registered indigent consumers will receive 6Kl of water and 50kwh of electricity free each month. The free water you receive is worth R23.12 and the electricity is worth about R27.59 during the current financial year. This will vary according to council policy changes.

Will I still receive my free electricity if my free prepayment meter is blocked?

Yes, the computer is programmed to allow you to receive your free token 50 kwh

How do I get free electricity and water?

Only registered indigent customers are entitled to free 6Kl of water and 50kwh units of electricity monthly. If you use more than 6Kl of water, you will be charged with a basic charge, but still get 6Kl free. When you buy electricity, it will only charges units purchased in excess of 50kwh.

Who qualifies for an indigent subsidy?

You will qualify if you are the legal owner or tenant of the property; and the household earns a total gross income less than R1 800 per month.

What benefits will I receive if I qualify for an indigent subsidy?

Bitou Municipality will pay R105.55 towards your municipal account each month, which can be reviewed by Council from year to year.

How do I apply for an indigent subsidy?

Collect and complete an “Indigent Grant Application” form from your nearest municipal enquiry office.
If you are employed you will need certified proof of your income. You will need a certified copy of your identity document. If you are unemployed or a pensioner, you will need to make an affidavit to that effect at a police station or commissioner of oaths.
Submit all the relevant documentation to your nearest municipal office. You will be notified by post if your application is successful.

NOTE: You must reapply for your subsidy before the anniversary date of your first application or your subsidy will fall away.

State of the Town Address by the Executive Mayor of Bitou Local Municipality, Alderman Lulama Mvimbi, on April 15, 2011 at Piesang Community Hall

Read more: State of the town address

Executive Mayor: Memory Booysen

A father of three daughters, Memory Booysen was born in 1969 in Hankey in the Eastern Cape. He is the fifth child of the John and Buyiswa Booysen. His father passed on in 1980, and his mother lives in Kwanokuthula.

Read more: Executive Mayor: Memory Booysen