OFFICIALS from the Department of Social Development in KwaZulu-Natal heaved a sigh of relief yesterday when they officially opened the new eThekwini Cluster offices in Durban Central, saying the move would see the department saving millions of rands on office rent.
The renamed Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke building on Dr Goonam Street was initially used as a vehicle garage for state’s cars, and according to the department, the reconstruction of the building started in August 2017 and was completed in December 2020. Staff took occupation of the building in March this year.
Speaking during the launch, Makhosazane Zungu, deputy chairperson of chairpersons in the KZN Legislature, said the department was making excellent progress in ensuring that they operate in buildings owned by the government.
“This will help us to use our little budget to deliver services to the people. We want to see the department spending no cent on rentals. We are on the trajectory to use the little budget we have by cutting on rental but occupy government buildings.”
She noted that since 1997, the eThekwini Cluster rented office spaces at Liberty Towers, adding that for the past 24 years, there were paying exorbitant rent.
“Our Durban Service office has also paid rent for eight years since 2013. We have spent R102 556 000 in converting the government pool vehicles garage to these magnificent offices we witness today, and this means the Department will be saving up to R118 768 000 in 10 years,” said Zungu.
According to the Department, the offices were accessible to public transport within the jurisdiction of eThekwini Municipality.
In honour of the building's name, the family of Mannya-Maxeke was present during the launch. Olga Mannya Sema, the granddaughter of Mannya-Maxeke, expressed her gratitude.
“We, as a family, have decided to build up from where she left off and preserve her legacy. Our grandmother’s goal was to selflessly help other people without expecting anything in return, and that legacy lives on,” said Sema.
THE MERCURY