Tourism Month 2026 Launched as Durban Takes Centre Stage

 

By Fred Felton | Aug. 16, 2026

Tourism Month 2026 was officially launched by Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, in Durban on Thursday, 13 August. The theme for Tourism Month is ‘’Growing South Africa’s Tourism Sector in the Digital Era’’, beginning on 1 September and driving towards World Tourism Day on 27 September.

Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, Councillor Thembo Ntuli, Dignitaries and Surprise guest Sho Madjozi at the launch of Tourism Month 2026 in Durban. | Photo: Supplied. 

Durban continues to attract visitors, delegates and investment while showcasing the best of the country to local and international markets. Durban is South Africa’s premier coastal destination and a leading host of major events, conferences and meeting place for business events.

The timing of this launch is significant as the city hosts the 46^th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government from 16 to 17 August, at which South Africa takes Chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community for the 2026/27 term.

The Minister’s visit shows Durban’s position as a destination that can bring business, tourism, investment and cultural experiences together successfully.

Durban has also been confirmed as the host city for Africa’s Travel Indaba from 2026 to 2030.

The city is currently hosting a programme of regional and business engagements, providing opportunities to showcase its world-class conference and events infrastructure, but also the diverse experiences in Durban.

The eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Cllr Cyril Xaba and delegates from SADC explored Max's Lifestyle Village. | Photo: Supplied. 

Delegates from SADC have also explored the city’s heritage at the historic KwaMuhle Museum, experienced uMlazi, where they were welcomed at Max’s Lifestyle Village for an authentic township experience.

Recent milestones for Durban include the successful hosting of the Industrialisation Workshop, preparations for the 46^th SADC Summit, and site visits undertaken by the Presidential eThekwini Working Group together with the Municipality’s Executive Committee, further strengthening Durban’s profile as a destination of choice for business, investment and tourism.

EThekwini recorded the lowest official unemployment rate of South Africa’s eight metropolitan municipalities, at 21.2% according to Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2026.

The survey estimated that around 1.29 million people in the city were employed in the second quarter, 90 000 more than in the same quarter of 2025 the largest year-on-year increase recorded in any metro, and a change Statistics South Africa reported as statistically significant.

Minister de Lille’s message that ‘’tourism begins at home’’ resonated strongly with Durban’s approach to growing the domestic tourism market. South Africans are encouraged to take a Sho’t Left and explore their own country. Durban offers a diverse range of experiences for visitors from across the country and the region.

The Minister also highlighted, technology is changing how travellers discover destinations, plan journeys and make travel decisions. For Durban’s tourism businesses, particularly SMMEs and emerging enterprises, this is an opportunity to reach new audiences and showcase experiences beyond the city’s normal tourism attractions.

‘’Durban is experiencing an exciting tourism and business buzz, and the launch of Tourism Month has provided another important platform to showcase the city’s readiness to welcome visitors, delegates, investors and event organisers,’’ said Councillor Thembo Ntuli, Chairperson of eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development and Planning Committee.

Durban’s established position as a leading business-events destination, together with its role in hosting major regional and international engagements, creates opportunities to extend visitor stays, stimulate local spending and expose delegates and visitors to the wider Durban tourism offering.

With Tourism Month approaching, Durban invites South Africans, regional visitors and international travellers to discover the city for themselves – even for a weekend getaway, a business trip extended into a leisure experience, a cultural journey or an authentic township experience.

Southern African Development Community Industrialisation Week Kicked Off In Durban

 

By Fred Felton | Jul. 31, 2026

The powerful message conveyed at the 9^th annual Southern African Development Community (SADC) Industrialisation Week was ‘’Industrialisation remains the most effective pathway to economic transformation.’’

Mayor Xaba delivering his speech at the 9th SADC Industrialization Week. | Photo: Thuli Dlamini.

The event was held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) and started on 27 July 2026.

The five-day event was officially opened by Mayor Cyril Xaba, he welcomed delegates, government leaders, investors, and business representatives from across the Southern African region.

SADC Industrialisation Week (SIW) is the Southern African Development Community’s flagship week-long event aimed at advancing regional industrial development, investment, and economic transformation.

The programme for the week included high-level policy dialogues and technical sessions, investment and trade facilitation discussions, networking opportunities, strategic business and investment engagements, exhibitions, and industrial and factory site visits.

The theme for the event was, ‘’Open, Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World,’’ the event focused on strengthening regional trade, expanding industrial capacity, and creating sustainable jobs.

The goals for the week were to advance the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015-2063, which is centred on three pillars: industrialisation, competitiveness, and regional integration.

The event aimed to deepen regional value chains in agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, and critical minerals beneficiation; drive infrastructure development in energy, transport, logistics, water, and ICT; and promote investment mobilisation and industrial partnerships.

The objectives will be achieved while empowering women and young entrepreneurs through innovation and digital transformation.

With his opening address, Mayor Xaba said eThekwini is honoured to host this important gathering, describing Durban as a strategic gateway to Africa and a city committed to driving regional industrialisation, investment, and economic growth.

‘’This platform enables us to share experiences, forge effective partnerships, create opportunities, and identify innovative solutions. Aspirations alone will not bring about transformation, real implementation and the creation of opportunities for industries and businesses must lead the way’’ said SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau said industrialisation provides a foundation for productivity, economic diversification, technological advancement, and greater resilience against external shocks. He added that stakeholders must be mindful of strategic vulnerabilities and focus on implementing outcomes that are measurable and visible.

The rest of the week featured discussions on investment, technology, pharmaceuticals, market access, and other key areas.

Travel Grants For SA Musicians & Music and Dance Events For Durban

Concerts SA Providing A Music Mobility Fund 

Are you a South African Musician?
Then this is for you. Music professionals are invited to apply for funding from a national mobility fund (for projects in South Africa) and a Regional Mobility Fund (for projects taking place in SADC countries except South Africa).

Grants for individuals are available for musicians, managers, promoters, producers, agents, groups.

Grants for organisations available to music organisations and businesses, record labels, agencies, forums, associations,, partnerships, local and regional organisations.

You have to be a SA citizen living in South Africa.
You must be established in SA.
You must be directly responsible for the prep and management of the project not an intermediary.

Types of projects that qualify:

• Tours and Concerts
• Collaborative Projects
• Professional development projects / visits

The Regional Mobility Fund applies to the following provinces:

• Project must take place in Gauteng or Western Cape or KwaZulu-Natal.
• Artists from all provinces are invited to apply.
• The project must take place in a different province from which the artist is based in. 

Funding:

• SADC Regional Projects: up to R40 000
• National Projects: up to R25 000

Deadline: 14 September 2014

For all the Ts&Cs and an application form email: samrofoundation@samro.org.za 

You can also download the application form here: www.samrofoundation.org.za

Follow them on Twitter @ConcertsSA    

Music and Dance Events Coming Up 

This edition by +Fred Felton