Asimile Siyaqhuba - Driving Technology Forward In The City

 

DRIVING TECHNOLOGY FORWARD IN THE CITY

THE INFORMATION Technology Directorate of eThekwini Municipality plays a critical role in shaping the City’s digital future. Its mandate focuses on developing and promoting an Information Communications Technology (ITC) vision that addresses current challenges while enabling long-term growth. Highlighting the technological goals made by the directorate is eThekwini’s Five-Year Service Delivery Milestones campaign being rolled out under the theme: Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity. The campaign highlights transformative efforts that have shaped service delivery during the 2021 to 2026 term of office.

Key strategic priorities include building a paperless environment, ensuring secure and integrated data management, and strengthening reliable ICT infrastructure, including cloud solutions. A central focus of the directorate is the use of Geographic Information Systems, which helps address issues and supports the vision of transforming eThekwini into a modern digital hub for future generations. The Public Wi-Fi Programme forms a central pillar of the City’s Digital Inclusion Strategy and Smart City agenda being driven by the Information Technology Directorate. Director of the Information Technology Directorate Robert Dlamini said over the past five financial years, the Public Wi Fi Programme has significantly expanded equitable internet access across municipal wards. The eThekwini Public Wi-Fi Programme has delivered measurable, city-wide digital inclusion progress. With 75 percent of the strategic target achieved and 98 percent ward-level reach established, the programme remains a critical enabler of social equity, economic participation, and digital transformation within the City.

Strategic Target

The approved long-term strategic target for the programme is 750 public Wi-Fi Sites across the Municipality. This target aligns with a minimum of three sites per municipal ward, the deployment within high-footfall public facilities, prioritisation of underserved and previously disadvantaged communities and the expansion of affordable digital access across all 110 wards.

Infrastructure Growth and Progress

Currently 565 active Public Wi-Fi Sites have been installed (cumulative to date). Dlamini said this represents substantial progress toward universal ward level coverage and positions the Municipality as a leading implementer of municipal digital infrastructure within the province.

Expanding Digital Infrastructure

To date, the Municipality has installed 1 633 enterprise grade Wi-Fi access points across both indoor and outdoor environments. These access points are strategically deployed in high-demand areas to support reliable, high-capacity connectivity for residents and visitors alike.

Accessible Community Connectivity

Public Wi-Fi has been deployed at key locations that support daily life and economic activity, including:

           ·          Municipal libraries

           ·          Sizakala Centres

           ·          Clinics and healthcare facilities

           ·          Schools and community halls

           ·          Sports grounds and public parks

           ·          Tourism hubs such as beachfront areas

           ·          Market precincts and transport nodes

           ·          Key economic corridors, including Florida Road.

Empowering Residents Through Free Access

A key feature of the programme is its free data allocation model, which provides 2GB of free data per user per day, accessible through a secure self-registration portal. This approach ensures fair and consistent access while maintaining sustainability. The Wi-Fi Programme continues to experience strong uptake and usage with over 446 000 registered users to date. There are between 24 000 and 26 000 daily connections and around 2 000 concurrent users during peak periods. These milestones highlight the Municipality’s ongoing efforts to expand digital inclusion.

Asimile Siyaqhuba - City's Proactive Land Release Strategy Unlocks Massive Opportunities

 

CITY’S PROACTIVE LAND RELEASE STRATEGY UNLOCKS MASSIVE OPPORTUNITIES

SIGNIFICANT gains have been made under the City’s Land Release Strategy, which falls under the umbrella of the Property Valuations and Management Directorate which is led by Thapelo Mmusinyane.

Highlighting these achievements is the City’s Five-Year Service Delivery Milestones campaign being rolled out under the theme: Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity. The campaign highlights transformative efforts that have shaped service delivery during the 2021 to 2026 term of office.

The Land Release Strategy was implemented in 2021, and stands as a proud enabler of empowerment, economic impact and success, particularly along Durban’s Beachfront. The strategy aims to enable growth through partnerships, stimulate investment, support small business development, all while advancing spatial transformation.

The beachfront has evolved into one of South Africa’s most compelling urban economic success stories where design, data, and development work together to generate measurable financial value.

Durban’s experience challenges the notion that public spaces are cost centres. They are, in fact, city-scale revenue generators driving measurable returns through rates, rentals, and reinvestment. The promenade’s consistent visitor growth, coupled with a strengthened trading mix, demonstrates how thoughtful urban design can turn municipal assets into engines of inclusive economic growth.

Between 2018 and 2025, monthly footfall along the promenade has grown from an average of 770 000 visitors to more than 1.3 million. In 2024, the precinct recorded 14.5 million visitors, the highest annual total ever measured. By mid-2025, year to-date counts had already exceeded 11.7 million. These are volumes comparable to the country’s top regional malls.

A shining example is the old Circus Circus, which was renovated to a stunning fusion of Africanism and Art Deco and is now the Durban Beach Café. The vision of this establishment was to create an iconic tourism destination restaurant while capturing the spirit of the City. The existing Joe Cools building, a 1700 m² structure that has served the beachfront for over four decades, has reached its functional limit. The data now supports its replacement with a new 4000 m² building, a modern, glass fronted development with expanded terraces, upper-level dining, and flexible event zones designed for year-round activation.

Additionally, the City has received a R1 billion commitment from the Southern Sun Hotel Group to redevelop the iconic Maharani and Elangeni Towers. The billion-rand capital investment will be broken down to R622 million on the upgrade of the Elangeni and Maharani, R157 million on movable assets and R348 million on two additional hotels owned by the same entity. This is in line with a functionality requirement that required bidders to further invest on the Durban beachfront precinct.

Another R5 million will be invested towards the development of the Sunken Garden, which is a municipal park on the beachfront. Just a stone-throw away from these hotels, will be the billion-rand, breathtaking Durban Amusement Park, which was announced in December 2025. The project is being led by a Durban based, 100 percent black owned firm with more than 17 years’ experience in delivering large-scale urban development projects. The development is expected to create approximately 900 construction jobs and over 500 permanent jobs in operations, hospitality, technical services and entertainment programming.

The City has also recently released various strategically located properties across Durban with a combined market value exceeding R360 million, covering 18 hectares. These properties represent a diverse mix of industrial, commercial, mixed-use, and hospitality opportunities.

Asimile Siyaqhuba - Five Years of Progress in Building A Smarter, Safer, and More Connected Transport Network

 

ETHEKWINI TRANSPORT AUTHORITY: FIVE YEARS OF PROGRESS IN BUILDING A SMARTER, SAFER, AND MORE CONNECTED TRANSPORT NETWORK

OVER the past five years, the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) has made significant strides in transforming the City’s transport landscape through strategic infrastructure investment, innovation, safety interventions, and progressive mobility planning. Highlighting these gains is the City’s Five-Year Service Delivery Milestones campaign being rolled out under the theme: Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity.

These milestones made by ETA reflect the City’s commitment to building an integrated, efficient, safe, and sustainable transport system that supports economic growth, urban regeneration, and improved quality of life for all residents.

ADVANCING TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT

A key focus area has been the implementation of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), which seeks to create connected, accessible urban spaces centred around public transport corridors.

The pilot that is being implemented in Pinetown will reshape how people live, work, and move by encouraging mixed-use development, reducing travel distances, and improving access to public transport services.

This initiative has allowed the City to assess practical interventions, gather operational insights, and refine strategies that can be replicated across other strategic transport nodes in eThekwini.

SUPPORTING INNER CITY REGENERATION

Transport infrastructure continues to play a vital role in supporting the regeneration of Durban’s inner city. Strategic upgrades to road networks, pedestrian facilities, public transport systems, and traffic management have contributed to improving accessibility, supporting commercial activity, and creating a more functional urban environment.

REDESIGNING PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR THE FUTURE

Over the past five years, significant work has gone into redesigning public transport systems to improve efficiency, reliability, and user experience. This includes route planning improvements and operational integration efforts as part of the broader Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN), and the development of systems such as closed-circuit television cameras on buses aimed at creating a more seamless public transport network for commuters.

LAUNCH OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT CALL CENTRE

The establishment of the Public Transport Call Centre has strengthened communication between commuters and the City. Channels such as telephone, WhatsApp and email provide residents with improved access to transport information, service updates and customer support, enhancing responsiveness and service delivery. Phone: 087 121 9446 WhatsApp: 071 374 1862 Email: Info@godurban.co.za

ELECTRIFICATION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT

 As part of its sustainability agenda, discussions and plans have reached an advanced stage for the City to shift toward the electrification of public transport. This milestone supports environmental objectives by reducing emissions, lowering operational costs over time, and positioning eThekwini to embrace cleaner mobility solutions.

SHEPSTONE ROAD CONVERSION

The successful conversion of Shepstone Road marks another important infrastructure milestone. This intervention has improved traffic flow, enhanced road safety, and strengthened network efficiency within and around the Point precinct.

SHAPING THE FUTURE THROUGH CIPT 2024–2029

The development of the Comprehensive Integrated Public Transport (CIPT) Plan 2024–2029 sets a clear strategic direction for the next phase of transport transformation. The plan outlines key priorities aimed at improving public transport accessibility, strengthening modal integration, and responding to evolving mobility needs across the City.

SAFER ROADS THROUGH GUARDRAIL AND SPEED HUMP IMPLEMENTATION

Road safety remains a core priority. The implementation of guardrails and speed humps across strategic locations has helped reduce risks for both motorists and pedestrians, contributing to safer road environments, particularly in high-risk areas. During the past two financial years, the City has implemented approximately 130 traffic calming projects across multiple wards, with an estimated investment of R12 million. The projects are aimed at reducing speeding, improving pedestrian protection, and enhancing safety in residential areas, school zones and other high-risk locations.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL INNOVATION

The City has continued to modernise traffic management through signal innovations designed to improve traffic flow and network responsiveness. Traffic vandalism has been a huge challenge within the City, and in the past three years approximately 6 000 traffic light repairs have been done costing the City R40 000. These advancements support smarter traffic control, reduced congestion, and more efficient movement across key intersections. These achievements represent more than infrastructure milestones. They reflect a broader vision of creating a transport system that is integrated, inclusive, resilient, and future ready.

As the City of Durban grows, evolves, and progresses, the focus from a transport perspective remains on innovation, safety, sustainability, and delivering solutions that meet these needs.

Asimile Siyaqhuba - Transformation of Informal Trade in the City

 

TRANSFORMATION OF INFORMAL TRADE IN THE CITY

THE City is rolling out the Five-Year Service Delivery Milestones campaign under the theme: Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity. This week the spotlight is on informal trade.

Over the past five years, eThekwini Municipality’s Informal Trade Division, within the Economic Development Directorate, has strengthened the bridge between the formal and informal economy. The division ensures that informal businesses operate in safe, affordable, and well-maintained environments that are appealing to customers. This includes identifying strategic sites, constructing new infrastructure or upgrading existing facilities, and issuing permits and lease agreements.

 The division also provides skills development and maintains spaces so traders can focus on income-generating activities that support families and create jobs. Infrastructure investment has been central to this progress. In the 2023/24 financial year, capital projects supported 636 traders and created 124 jobs across eThekwini. The refurbishment of the 126 Johannes Nkosi Building benefited 250 traders and generated 18 jobs.

Flood restoration at the Illovo Auto Hub and the eMahawini Business Support Centre assisted 51 traders and created 18 jobs. Upgrades at 64 Flower Road and uMlazi V Container Park collectively supported 84 traders and added 26 jobs. Expansion of trading infrastructure further widened opportunities.

 New business hives were constructed at Blue Lagoon and the Cornubia Traders Facility which were opened in 2025. The Folweni Traders Hub and Midway Mall Container Park provide facilities for 153 traders and created 50 jobs.

The Centrum Park Trading Hub, located near The Workshop, opened in 2024 and houses 500 traders. Opening the site has helped to address illegal trading in the Central Business District as the project enabled legal trading and improved compliance with Municipal regulations. Meanwhile, the Tara Road Building was refurbished for traders and flea market operations, benefiting 98 traders and generating 12 jobs. Upgrades at the Verulam Market benefited 507 traders and created 15 jobs, while the Phoenix Market supported 132 traders and generated 13 jobs.

 In the south, Ezimbuzini Market benefited 191 traders and created 10 jobs. Beyond infrastructure, the programme strengthened resilience. From July 2021 to December 2022, retail market traders affected by COVID-19 and socio-economic unrest received rental holidays worth R9.5 million across the south, west, and north regions. Together, these initiatives reflect a five-year milestone of inclusive growth.

Asimile Siyaqhuba - Five Years of Advancement Towards Providing Human Settlements

 

ASIMILE SIYAQHUBA – FIVE YEARS OF ADVANCEMENT TOWARDS PROVIDING HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

Significant gains have been made in the City to provide decent housing and upgrade living environments. To highlight these transformative efforts that have shaped service delivery during the 2021-2026 term of office, the City is rolling out the Five-Year Service Delivery Milestones campaign under the theme: Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity.

The spotlight is on housing delivery where significant progress has been achieved by the Human Settlements Directorate over the past five years. This reflects a strong commitment to expanding access to dignified housing, upgrading living environments, and improving the overall quality of life for residents.

During this period, the directorate issued 5 725 title deeds, enabling thousands of families to secure legal ownership and strengthen their generational wealth prospects. Over the same five-year period, the Municipality continued its programme of improving existing housing infrastructure. A total of 1 194 pre-1994 housing units were upgraded and refurbished to ensure safety, structural integrity, and improved living conditions for long-standing communities. The directorate further expanded access to affordable housing through the delivery of 10 359 rental and breaking new ground units, contributing substantially to meeting the demand for formal housing within the City.

In addition, the directorate delivered 669 units through the upgrading and refurbishment of community residential units and the construction of new family units within existing hostels, strengthening the Municipality’s commitment to upgrading high-density living environments.

Efforts to improve informal settlements also advanced significantly, with 40 777 households receiving incremental services such as roads, footpaths, and stormwater controls, ensuring safer, more accessible, and more resilient living conditions.

To further support vulnerable households, the Municipality allocated 11 702 new fully subsidised housing units over the past five years, assisting thousands of qualifying beneficiaries with secure access to formal shelter. Altogether, the Human Settlements Directorate successfully created 20 839 housing opportunities during this period, marking a substantial contribution to addressing housing needs across eThekwini. These achievements represent the Municipality’s continued dedication to delivering sustainable human settlements, strengthening community resilience, and enhancing the dignity of residents.

Asimile Siyaqhuba - Five Years of Ensuring A Reliable and Efficient Electricity Supply

 

ASIMILE SIYAQHUBA – FIVE YEARS OF ENSURING A RELIABLE AND EFFICIENT ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

 

OVER the past five years, the Energy Management Directorate has delivered critical electricity services to residents and businesses across the metropolitan area, balancing infrastructure renewal, network expansion, revenue reform and social support. Serving approximately 800 000 customers, the directorate remains responsible for one of the largest municipal electricity distribution networks in the country.

 

NETWORK SCALE AND CORE SERVICE DELIVERY

The City’s electricity system comprises more than 110 high-voltage substations and over 14 000 medium-voltage substations. This extensive infrastructure network forms the backbone of electricity distribution, ensuring that power is transmitted safely and efficiently to homes, industries and commercial centres. Maintaining the stability of this system is central to service delivery, as reliable electricity underpins economic growth, public safety, and household wellbeing.

 

INFRASTRUCTURE RENEWAL AND NETWORK RESILIENCE

A key focus over the five-year period has been addressing aging infrastructure. Significant investment has been directed toward substation refurbishment, equipment replacement and cable renewal programmes. The replacement of aging underground and overhead cables has reduced faults associated with deteriorating infrastructure, improving supply reliability and minimising unplanned outages in affected communities. One of the most notable milestones was the commissioning of the KE Masinga Substation, a 132kV/11kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) facility. This is the first new GIS substation commissioned by the City in nearly a decade and marks a major step forward in adopting advanced, space-efficient and resilient technology. Constructed at an approximate cost of R120 million, the substation forms part of the City’s 25-year Transmission Network Master Plan, designed to guide infrastructure upgrades, expansion, and renewal to meet future demand. Additional upgrades are ongoing, including critical equipment replacement at the Mariannridge 132/11kV Substation, further strengthening network capacity and operational stability.

 

ELECTRIFICATION AND EXPANDING ACCESS

Despite operational challenges during the term, including prolonged shortages of electricity meters, the directorate continued to expand access to electricity. Over the past five years, 19 756 new residential electricity supply connections were installed. Thousands of residents in informal settlements and mixed formal informal areas have benefitted from electrification projects, improving safety, dignity and access to economic opportunities.

 

SMART METERING AND REVENUE PROTECTION

With meter supply constraints now resolved, the directorate has launched its Smart Metering Deployment Strategy. This initiative is aimed at restoring revenue integrity, improving operational efficiency and enhancing customer service. The prepaid smart meters incorporate advanced features such as tamper detection and remote diagnostics, enabling improved monitoring and reducing non-technical losses. To date, over 6 500 smart meters have been installed, with plans to roll out more than 200 000 units in the coming years. The programme is expected to significantly strengthen billing accuracy, reduce electricity theft and provide customers with better control over their consumption.

 

FREE BASIC ELECTRICITY AND SOCIAL IMPACT

The directorate continues to administer the Free Basic Electricity programme in line with national policy guidelines. Since 2003, qualifying indigent households consuming less than 150 kWh per month receive 65 kWh of free electricity monthly, automatically credited to their prepaid meters. Currently, close to 100 000 customers benefit from this subsidy.

Asimile Siyaqhuba - Five Years of Advancements Towards Quality Water Supply

 

ASIMILE SIYAQHUBA – FIVE YEARS OF ADVANCEMENTS TOWARDS QUALITY WATER SUPPLY

Save Water.

ENSURING an uninterrupted water supply for residents and businesses remains a top priority for the City. Through major infrastructure investments and strategic Council resolutions, the Water and Sanitation Services Directorate has worked tirelessly to keep taps running. Highlighting these transformative efforts that have shaped service delivery during the 2021–2026 term of office is eThekwini Municipality’s Five-Year Service Delivery Milestones campaign being held under the theme Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity.

ADAMS K5 AND K6 RESERVOIRS

 The Water Services Directorate successfully upgraded the Adams K5 and K6 Reservoirs in 2022 to improve bulk storage capacity for residents in the Adams Mission area, under Wards 67 and 96. The Adams K5 Reservoir was expanded from two to six megalitres (ML) by constructing an additional 4 ML compartment at the existing reservoir site. Similarly, the Adams K6 Reservoir was significantly upgraded, increasing its capacity from two to 10 ML.

SHONGWENI RESERVOIR

The City successfully commissioned the Shongweni Reservoir in 2023, significantly improving water storage capacity for communities supplied by the facility. The reservoir has a storage capacity of six ML.

MKHIZWANA WATER TREATMENT WORKS

The Mkhizwana Water Treatment Works was upgraded, increasing its design capacity from 1.5 to four ML/day.

NORTHERN WASTEWATER TREATMENT WORKS

The restoration of the Northern Wastewater Treatment Works is progressing well, with a noticeable improvement in the quality of treated effluent being discharged. Technical teams have stabilised operations, with the plant achieving more than 80 percent effluent quality compliance.

 UMBILO AND KWANDENGEZI WASTEWATER TREATMENT WORKS

There is steady progress on the repair and refurbishment of the Umbilo and KwaNdengezi Wastewater Treatment Works. These plants are among the sanitation infrastructure that sustained significant damage during previous floods, resulting in damage to mechanical, electrical, and civil components. The installation of stormwater pipelines to improve management at both the Umbilo and KwaNdengezi plants is also making significant progress.

NTUZUMA WATER PUMPSTATION

The Ntuzuma Water Pumpstation was recommissioned in December last year. This upgrade enhanced the mechanical and electrical components, increasing performance and reliability. The station now features 15 pumps, including standby units, high-efficiency technology, automated control systems, and real-time monitoring tools.

UMDLOTI WASTEWATER PUMPSTATION

 The Water and Sanitation Directorate has completed critical restoration works on the uMdloti Wastewater Pumpstation. The station was equipped with two new pumps.

Fixing water pipe at Lamontville. 

NORTHERN AQUEDUCT AUGMENTATION PIPELINE

To cater for growing demand in the north, the City commissioned two major infrastructure projects: the construction of a new Northern Aqueduct Augmentation Pipeline and a 600mm diameter water rising main from Hazelmere to the Grange Reservoir.

 CANELANDS PIPE AND PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

 The City refurbished the Canelands Pipe and Pedestrian Bridge, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery for communities in Verulam.