Budget speech: Free Wi-Fi for eThekwini residents

Officials say major townships, rural areas and areas around universities or where there is a high concentration of students, will benefit from the move.  

Mayor James Nxumalo made the announcement during his 2016/2017 budget speech yesterday. 

He says R100 million has been set aside for youth programmes. 

Also read: Varying reactions to eThekwini budget

Just over R470 million will be spent over three years training 10 000 young people as artisans. 

The NFP's Bongiwe Mtshali has welcomed the project.

''At least we must have multi-purpose centre to all areas of eThekwini where the youth go there and learn some skills,'' she said.

Meanwhile, the ANC has welcomed eThekwini Municipality's R41.6 billion budget for the current financial year, saying it represents what local government is all about.

Regional secretary Bheki Ntuli applauded the budget.

''It was on point and it was so biased to the poor. We are hoping that we are going to be seeing a lot of development taking place in eThekwini, some catalyst projects that are going to be taking place and we are happy as the African National Congress,'' he said.

But the DA's Zwakele Mncwango has dismissed it as yet another speech full of broken promises ahead of the municipal elections.

''The problem is when leaders lie to the communities it then causes people to come back and protest if you fail to deliver your promises. We are saying the mayor failed to be transparent and honest. Voters must hold him accountable,'' he said.