Billions in Investment unlocked by eThekwini District Model

 

By Fred Felton | Feb. 17, 2026

The eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba was part of a high-level delegation which visited various catalytic project sites in the City on 6^th February 2026.

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba led a high-level delegation during an oversight visit to several catalytic projects in the City on 6th February. | Photo: Supplied. 

The oversight visit was done to address challenges related to regulatory approvals, bulk infrastructure provision, and the funding of key catalytic projects.

Mayor Xaba is the Chairperson of the eThekwini District Development Model (DDM) Political Hub and he was joined by the eThekwini DDM Champion and Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Narend Singh.

Both the leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress of key catalytic sites that are set to change the City’s economic landscape.

Key project milestones include:

The Giba Business Estate: With an investment of R1.2 billion this development is moving at full steam. The Municipality has already put over R100 million into critical road infrastructure, which is scheduled to be finished within the next two months.

Isibaya Precinct Development: Developed by DEVMCO, this is a mixed-use hub and is nearing completion. After 10 years in development, it is set for a grand opening later in 2026. The precinct will feature an International Convention Centre, a 4 000-seater Playhouse and a 200-bed facility.

There were also positive updates received for the Avoca Node, Cato Ridge Node, and the Malaba Canal Project.

‘’The goal is to ensure the work of the Presidential Working Group is seamlessly integrated into the DDM framework. This ensures sustainability so that even as the Presidential Working Group phases out, the momentum of these projects continues uninterrupted,’’ said Mike Mabuyakhulu, Co-Chairperson of the eThekwini Presidential Working Group.

Mr Mabuyakhulu stressed the importance of immediate intervention to secure R21 billion in total investment.

‘’We are seeing a truly collaborative effort from government to create a conducive environment for investors. Today’s site visits proved that progress is happening on the ground, not just on paper,’’ said Deputy Minister Singh.

Deputy Minister Singh also praised the ‘’hands-on’’ approach of the current leadership.

Premier's Service Excellence Awards Nomination for eThekwini App

 

By Fred Felton | Feb. 15, 2026

The eThekwini Mobile App has been nominated in the Best Public Service Implementation Project of the Year category for the 2024/25 Premier’s Service Excellence Awards.

The eThekwini Mobile App has been nominated in the Best Public Service Implementation Project of the Year category for the 2024/25 Premier's Service Excellence Awards. | Photo: Supplied. 

This is a major recognition of innovation and service excellence in the public sector and positions eThekwini alongside the best performing municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal.

The eThekwini Mobile App has been downloaded over 189 000 times and has become one of the City’s most impactful digital tools, transforming the way residents report service faults and access essential Municipal information.

Based on feedback the app remains efficient, user-friendly, and effective.

To assess the app adjudicators from the Premier’s Office recently visited the eThekwini Municipality to evaluate the app for the awards.

During the adjudication session the eThekwini Mobile App team comprising officials from Customer Relations Management, Revenue Management, and Applications and Information Technology presented both practical demonstrations and documentary evidence.

This evidence supporting the City’s formal submission was sent to the Premier’s Office in December 2025.

‘’We are confident that our presentations and demonstrations provided the information adjudicators required. Being shortlisted is an honour for our City and reflects the hard work of our technical teams,’’ said The City’s Deputy Director of Applications and Projects, Mduduzi Mdletshe.

Mdletshe was also part of the presenting team and expressed excitement about the nomination.

This recognition of the eThekwini Mobile App highlights the City’s ongoing commitment to modernising services and improving customer experience.

More City projects have also been shortlisted in additional categories, making a strong showing for eThekwini in the Premier’s Service Excellence Awards.

Growthpoint Rebalances its South African Portfolio

 

By Fred Felton | Feb. 11, 2026

Growthpoint Properties (JSE: GRT) has successfully rebalanced its SA portfolio with two property deals that reduce its exposure to Gauteng and unlock around R2bn in capital to go into its strategy to target higher-performing regions and sectors.

One of the Growthpoint properties 29 Richefond Circle in Umhlanga which features a roof-top garden.  Photo: Fred Felton

Two transactions have been agreed between Discovery and the current co-owners of the Discovery buildings at Sandton Summit, Growthpoint and Truzen 114 Trust, which hold 55% and 45% respectively.

For the bigger transaction, Growthpoint will sell its stake in the Discovery head office, or Discovery Phase 1, to Discovery in a cash transaction with proceeds of R2.3bn. Growthpoint’s 55% stake in the building equals to 50,466m², which was valued at R2.2bn at the end of Growthpoint’s most recent financial reporting period, 30 June 2025. Truzen will sell its 45% stake to Discovery.

Growthpoint is also acquiring Truzen’s 45% stake in the adjacent Discovery Phase 2 at an attractive, market-aligned consideration of R323 million. The 19,369m² multi-tenant building was fully let on 30 June 2025.

Once these transactions are finalised, subject to conditions including approval from the Competition Commission, each building will be 100% owned by its respective owner – Discovery will wholly own Discovery Phase One and Growthpoint will be the sole owners of Discovery Phase 2 – on a sectional title basis.

Growthpoint’s domestic strategy is to increase portfolio weighting towards sectors and regions expected to delivery better growth over the longer term, specifically retail and logistics properties.

Estienne de Klerk, SA CEO of Growthpoint Properties. Photo: Supplied. 

One only has to look at its property portfolio in KwaZulu-Natal to see the wide range of premium properties that it has which include: Lincoln on the Lake, Mayfair on the Lake, The Boulevard, Gateway Hospital, Ridgeview, La Lucia Mall, Westville Mall and even Student Accommodation at UKZN like Hluma Studios – UKZN – Howard College Campus which is scheduled for opening in 2027. Growthpoint also has properties in Hillcrest area like Busamed – Hillcrest Private Hospital, Hillcrest Corner, Watercrest Mall and Trade Park in Mount Edgecombe and more developments being built in the Cornubia area.

‘’Effective capital rotation is a balancing act. We continually review the portfolio to identify where it makes sense to reduce overweight positions and sell assets attracting investor demand to fund our strategy and add value. In this case, the Discovery Head Office was identified for disposal despite its P-grade quality and blue-chip tenant,’’ noted Estienne de Klerk, SA CEO of Growthpoint Properties.

These combined transactions reduce Growthpoint’s office concentration in Gauteng and Sandton by more than 30, 000m² to a more appropriate level, realise value and unlock almost R2bn which can be used for further strategic asset rotation. This enables Growthpoint to manage its portfolio weighting responsibly while keeping overall portfolio quality.

With 100% ownership of the P-Grade Discovery Phase 2, Growthpoint increases its exposure to potential upside from shorter-lease, multitenant offices in a market where rental conditions are firming. Multitenant offices also offer more diversified income and less letting risk.

Growthpoint will continue its long-standing relationship with Discovery as a tenant at Discovery Phase 2 and elsewhere.

‘’These transactions are a vote of confidence in Sandton, its office market and its blue-chip tenants, all of which Growthpoint will continue to invest in at suitable levels. Discovery Phase One has attracted a significant investment from Discovery. With our 100% investment in Discovery Phase Two, Growthpoint retains an appropriate presence in the Sandton Summit precinct, where we are also due to break ground on the R1.2 billion Olympus Sandton residential development with Tricolt later this month,’’ noted de Klerk.

The financial effects of the transaction will be reported in the results for Growthpoint’s six months ended 31 December 2025, which will be published on Wednesday, 11 March 2026. The transaction will have no impact on these interim results. The transactions are expected to have little, if any, effects during Growthpoint’s financial year to 30 June 2026.

According to Growthpoint once final, the transaction will result in a higher reported office vacancy percentage, as a large, fully let asset is removed from its portfolio.

Queen Anne Docks in Durban boosting Tourism

 

By Fred Felton | Feb. 9, 2026

The Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban was full of activity on 4^th February as the luxurious Cunard’s Queen Anne cruise ship docked with around 3 000 international tourists on board the luxury liner.

The luxury cruise ship Queen Anne docked in Durban on 4th February. | Photo: Durban Tourism

All through the day tourists ventured around Durban, taking in the iconic sights such as the Golden Mile beachfront, uShaka Marine World and other sites.

Many tourists joined guided tours to experience Durban’s diverse heritage, while others took in the City’s warm hospitality and enjoyed the culinary scene.

Durban Tourism welcomed the visitors and offered an authentic taste of the City’s unique blend of traditions and cultures.

It was a vibrant day at Durban's Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal as the Queen Anne docked yesterday, bringing 3 000 tourists eager to explore the City. Photo: Durban Tourism. 

Tourists were treated to local crafts, distinctive flavours and authentic Durban experiences that showcased the City’s appeal as a world destination.

The Queen Anne left Durban at 9pm, leaving with it heightened excitement and a positive boost to the local tourism economy.

The vessel set sail across the Indian Ocean en route to Singapore.

This visit shows Durban’s growing reputation as a premier stop for international cruise liners, reinforcing the City’s position on the global tourism map.

Jockey Elevating Everyday Underwear

 

By Fred Felton | Feb. 4, 2026

For almost 150 years, Jockey has helped define what quality, comfort and innovation mean in the manufacturing of underwear.  Jockey South Africa has now also launched the Sports Mesh range, a product shaped by fabric engineering advancements, performance technology and precision in manufacturing. Jockey has long understood that leadership is not defined by reacting to trends, but by anticipating them.

The new sports mesh range from Jockey South Africa. Photo: Fred Felton

Today sees the convergence between activewear and daily clothing, driven by consumers who expect comfort, breathability and something that will last. Underwear is now seen as a garment expected to support movement, regulate temperature and deliver comfort. As a result Jockey has speeded up their investment in advanced fabric development, moisture-management systems and innovations in manufacturing which paved the way for Sports Mesh.

‘’At Jockey, innovation doesn’t start with trends it starts with how garments are made. Our focus has always been on manufacturing excellence, because that’s where real comfort and performance are created. Sports Mesh reflects years of investment in fabric development testing, and construction, and displays how we continue to evolve everyday essentials through meaningful, technical progress,’’ said Rob Hogg, National Sales Manager at Jockey South Africa.

The next-generation mesh fabric has been engineered to be lightweight and deliver an instantly cooling, icy hand feel. This is in line with industry trends moving towards materials that actively regulate the body. The mesh design maintains softness, elasticity, and structural integrity, while meeting the demands of an active lifestyle.

The sports mesh design also supports consistent body temperature in changing conditions. The underwear range also helps to maintain dryness, keep body temperature stable, and deliver comfort all day long.

‘’Consumers today expect more from their everyday underwear,’’ added Hogg.

Sports Mesh also integrates antimicrobial protection right into the fabric, stopping the growth of odour-causing microorganisms, while supporting hypoallergenic comfort.

The sports mesh design also eliminates side and back seams, helps reduce chafing and assists with freedom of movement and comfort.

This underwear range is available in Long Leg, Short Leg and Boxer brief silhouettes; the Sports Mesh range has colour options of Black and Midnight Navy with sizes from S to 2XL.

They certainly look and feel great and have a wonderful fit for those that have busy lifestyles.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner this might just be the perfect gift for that someone special in your life.

You can get the Jockey Sports Mesh range at jockey.co.za

Mayoral Tourism Editors' Engagement

 

By Fred Felton | Jan. 28, 2026

Recently eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba held a Mayoral Tourism Editors’ Engagement with Editors and Media at Octavia Boutique Hotel in Inanda. These are some of the highlights.

EThekwini Mayor, Cllr Cyril Xaba, presented the 2025/2026 festive season performance outcomes and outlined the City's tourism development plans for 2026 and beyond during a media engagement held in Octavia Boutique Hotel, in Inanada. Photo: Supplied. 

Mayor Xaba reported on the performance outcomes of the 2025/2026 festive season. He also shared plans to attract more tourists to the City for this year and beyond.

Mayor Xaba stated that this was the best festive season the City has experienced in many years.

‘’For the first time in five years, we enjoyed a relatively stable water supply, except in areas supplied by Pipeline 53 from Pietermaritzburg, which experienced a burst that resulted in intermittent water supply in some parts of the Outer West region. Additionally for the first time since the 2022 floods, all 23 of our bathing beaches were open and safe for swimming. As a safety precaution, we temporarily closed one or two beaches when necessary to ensure they met the highest safety standards,’’ said Mayor Xaba.

The City welcomed thousands of visitors during the festive season, with many areas reaching full capacity as holidaymakers enjoyed Durban’s warm summer weather.

‘’Our beaches recorded over 6.8 million visitors, including swimmers and promenade users from 1 December to 12 January 2026. At our 43 municipal swimming pools, we recorded more than 1.2 million bathers,’’ noted Mayor Xaba.

The dedicated lifeguards and emergency services remained on high alert throughout the festive season, responding swiftly to several rescuers involving swimmers caught in challenging conditions.

The City’s beach guides issued 275 000 wristbands to children, and 1 855 children who were separated from their parents were successfully reunited within 24 hours.

To make sure the City stayed clean a comprehensive Waste Management Plan was implemented which included deploying additional cleaning teams, structured shift systems and roving teams. This ensured a clean, safe and welcoming coastline.

An integrated safety plan involving all law enforcement agencies resulted in multidisciplinary operations including roadblocks targeting reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles, and drinking and driving. More than 2 000 officers were deployed for day and night patrols backed up by 500 CCTV cameras.

There were also additional tourism offerings to encourage visitors to stay longer. These included 23 signature events, the New Year’s Eve fireworks display along the beachfront and the successful Durban’s New Year Carnival on 2 January.

‘’We are pleased to report a significant increase in visitor numbers compared to 2024. Preliminary figures indicate that the City welcomed close to 1.2 million visitors, up from 998 000 last year – a 19% increase. Accommodation occupancy rose to 77% from 72% in 2024. Direct tourism spend increased from R2.2 billion to R2.7 billion, reflecting a 24% increase. The sector’s GDP contribution grew from R5.5 billion to R9.6 billion, creating over 14 000 job opportunities. These figures reaffirm tourism as a key driver of our local economy,’’ said Mayor Xaba.

The people of Durban can also look forward to some big events in 2026.

In the coming weeks giant statues of former President Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo will be unveiled.

The countdown to the 5^th Durban Tourism Business Awards begins.

The City will be co-sponsoring the Jonsson Workwear Durban Open professional golf tournament which happens at the Durban Country Club from 19 to 22 February.

In April, Durban will host the Metro FM Music Awards as the official host city for the next three years.

Next month will see the launch of a new airline route between King Shaka International Airport and Saint-Pierre Pierrefonds Airport in Reunion Island, with the inaugural flight scheduled for 27 February 2026.

The Municipality will also participate in major domestic and international trade shows to attract investment to Durban.

Anthony Hamilton will perform live in Durban on 28 February 2026, followed by Bryan Adams in March and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell in June 2026.

Durban International Marathon happens in May.

Comrades Marathon (Up Run) – June

Hollywoodbets Durban July

Durban International Film Festival – July

‘’Durban’s tourism sector is firmly on an upward trajectory,’’ noted Mayor Xaba.

Enter the 5th Durban Tourism Business Awards

 

By Fred Felton | Jan. 27, 2026

Durban Tourism has proudly announced that entries are officially open for the 5^th Annual Durban Tourism Business Awards, a flagship competition that celebrates excellence, resilience, and innovation within the tourism and hospitality sector.

Enter the 5th Durban Tourism Business Awards. Photo: Fred Felton. 

Businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector are invited to participate by submitting their applications or nominations for the 5^th annual Durban Tourism Business Awards competition.

Entries opened on 23 January and close on 23 March 2026.

To begin the entry process, all tourism businesses within the eThekwini Municipality should follow this link: https://durbantourismawards.com

You will receive an automated email response confirming a successful online entry.

Those businesses that are selected will receive developmental prizes to assist them to elevate their businesses.

All of the category top winners will receive up to R50 000 in prize money.

Award Categories Include:

The Accommodation Awards, Excellence in Hotels and Non-Hotels

MESE Awards: Honouring Meetings, Exhibitions, Special Events, and world-class MESE Venues

Visitor Experiences Awards: Celebrating the destinations that create unforgettable memories for visitors

Tourist Guides Awards: Recognising Nature, Adventure, and Culture Guides

Tour Operators Awards: Awarding excellence for the in-bound travel package curation and execution

Rickshaw Pullers: Honouring the cultural heritage and service of our local operators

Crafters: Celebrating the artistry of local creators

Event owners and Promoter Destination Promotion and Leveraging Platform: Recognising high-impact events as vehicles that promote and profile the destination, while attracting national and international visitors for attendance.

Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year: Specifically recognising black-owned SMMEs who have achieved notable success since starting up

Green Tourism Awards: For leaders in sustainability and eco-friendly practices

Film Makers Award: Recognising film production that is shot in Durban and significantly showcases our destination through the lens of a visitor

Why should you enter?

Prestige: Be part of the business excellence recognition your businesses contribute in tourism growth

Exposure: Benefit from media coverage, marketing opportunities and development

Growth: Use the winner’s seal to build trust with global travellers

To ensure integrity the awards will have a thorough tabulation and audit of the competition process..

This will then be followed by a public voting phase to raise awareness of local tourism products.

An independent panel of judges will adjudicate the competition by visiting the nominated businesses to assess them.

Community Tourism Organisations (CTOs), tourism industry stakeholders and organised tourism business, and the public are encouraged to identify and motivate tourism businesses in their areas to enter the awards.

For more info email: info@durbantourismawards.com or call 031 322 4164. You can also visit www.durbantourismawards.com or www.durban.gov.za or follow @DBNTourism on Facebook, X, and Instagram.