Indigent Support Programme operational

 

Indigent Support Programme operational

ROMITA HANUMAN-PILLAY

THE City’s Indigent Support Programme is fully operational, and applications are currently being processed. The Indigent Support Programme exists to protect residents facing genuine financial hardship by providing low-income and impoverished households access to free basic municipal services.

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba engaged with thousands of uMlazi residents at King Zwelithini Stadium recently and outlined social relief measures for communities. Photo: Supplied. 

This basket of services is provided for in the Indigent Policy and includes support for water, electricity, refuse removal, sanitation, and other basic services. The Municipality wishes to clarify that the recent transition of the Indigent Support Programme function to the Revenue Management Directorate forms part of a broader effort to improve efficiency, accountability, and integration of services.

While this transition has revealed historical backlogs and other related challenges, it has also created an opportunity to address these issues in a structured and sustainable manner. An internal review is currently underway to assess the full extent of outstanding and incomplete applications, if any.

Immediate steps are being implemented, including:

·         Reinforcement of assessment capacity through the allocation of additional personnel

·         Prioritisation of outstanding applications, particularly those affecting vulnerable households

·         Verification and restoration of services where pre-assessed applicants and beneficiaries’ services are disconnected

·         Acceleration of plans to digitise records and modernise application tracking systems.

 

With regards to service disconnections, the City’s policies are guided by both financial sustainability and social responsibility. Where errors are identified, immediate corrective action will be taken.

EThekwini Municipality remains committed to providing beneficiaries with access to the Indigent Support Programme and those with outstanding applications are urged to approach their nearest Sizakala Centre.

Durban Fashion Fair model search returns

 

Durban Fashion Fair model search returns 

NONDUDUZO NGCONGO

THE countdown to the iconic annual Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) showcase has officially begun as the City rolls out its highly anticipated 2026 Model Scouting Roadshows across Durban.

Marking 15 years of fashion excellence, the DFF is once again opening doors for aspiring models to step into the spotlight and launch their careers on one of Africa’s leading fashion platforms.

Young people with confidence, presence, and ambition are invited to attend casting sessions taking place from 16 May to 6 June at key locations across the City.

The roadshows kick off at KwaMashu G Hall on 16 May, followed by Durban Botanic Gardens on 23 May, uMlazi Mega City on 30 May, and conclude at the Pavilion Shopping Centre on 6 June. All sessions run from 9am to 4pm.

This life changing initiative continues to produce success stories, with previous participants securing major campaigns, walking international runways, and building sustainable careers in the fashion industry.

Chairperson of the City’s Economic Development and Planning Committee, Councillor Thembo Ntuli, said the programme is a catalyst for youth empowerment and economic inclusion.

‘’Through these roadshows, we are taking opportunities directly to communities and ensuring that undiscovered talent is given a platform to shine. We call on all aspiring models to attend these roadshows.’’

To audition, applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old, with a minimum height of 1.75m for females and 1.84m for males. Attendees must arrive makeup-free, and bring their original or certified copy of their ID.

For enquiries, call 031 311 4500 or email nondumiso.mthembu@durban.gov.za

Opportunity for Women in Tourism

 

By Fred Felton | May 13, 2026

There is a new opportunity for women that work in the tourism sector to reach greater heights with a 6 month mentorship programme created by UN Tourism with the support of the Women in Tourism Leadership Africa Committee (WITLAC).

Photo: Pixabay

This programme aims to help women with leadership, assist with entrepreneurship and aid professional growth. This programme is open to women of all ages and any kind of professional background.

Young applicants are also encouraged to apply, along with leaders that are starting out, mid-career tourism professionals, entrepreneurs and women in rural areas.

The focus of the programme will be on leadership development, helping women to step into senior leadership roles in tourism, help with entrepreneurship, assistance with launching tourism businesses and management support.

The programme will also look to assist with digital innovation, professional and personal growth, skills development, education and career support, and building up the women’s voice in tourism policy.

Criteria for selection:

Those who apply must be currently working in or studying or aspiring to build a career in the tourism industry in Africa. This can cover travel, hospitality, heritage, eco-tourism, cultural tourism, academia or event planning.

They should also be looking to advance tourism development in Africa. They should also be willing to work with a mentor and be able to handle feedback.

All applicants must be able to show citizenship of one of the 51 UN Tourism African Member States.

For more information visit www.untourism.int/africa

Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 Almost Here

 

By Fred Felton | May 7, 2026

The eThekwini Municipality is ready to welcome thousands of delegates, exhibitors, and global tourism leaders for the upcoming Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026, which will take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, Rev Musa Zondi, Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille and eThekwini Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba, at the launch of Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 held at the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal. | Photo: Supplied. 

The event happens from 11 to 14 May and kicks off with a Business Opportunity Networking Day on 11 May, followed by trade engagements over three days.

Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 was officially launched by Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, along with MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs, Rev Musa Zondi, and eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba. The launch was held on 4 May at the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal.

The theme for Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 is ‘Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa’s tourism economy’.

Africa’s premier tourism trade show brings together exhibitors, buyers, and media from across the world to promote African destinations and secure business partnerships.

The City will benefit significantly with increased visitor numbers, boosted tourism spend, local business support, and through job creation opportunities across many sectors which include hospitality, retail and transport.

Mayor Xaba said the City’s strategic location, well-developed infrastructure, and warm climate continue to position Durban as a destination of choice, whether for business or leisure.

Durban is set to once again deliver a successful edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba.

Minister de Lille announced that South African President, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, will open the trade show this year.

She noted that tourism is not merely a sector, but a powerful economic lever capable of delivering immediate, inclusive, and geographically distributed impact across the country.

MEC Zondi noted the current buyer composition of the Indaba already shows strong value for the province and the City with more than 700 buyers confirmed.

He said for this year the platform has confirmed 600 exhibiting companies with 22 African countries participating.

All nine provinces of South Africa are represented, as well as 191 independent micro, small, and medium enterprises.

‘’There will also be 840 hosted and non-hosted buyers from applications across 71 countries, and 3 315 confirmed meetings taking place,’’ added MEC Zondi.

City Engaged with Business Sector on 2026/27 Draft IDP/Budget

 

By Fred Felton | Apr. 20, 2026

The eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba has started a series of consultations with key stakeholders on the Draft 2026/27 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Budget.

EThekwini Municipality, led by Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba, held its first sector consultation meeting at the Durban ICC, to discuss the Draft IDP/Budget for the 2026/27 financial year. | Photo: Supplied.

Mayor Xaba engaged with representatives from the business sector at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on 13 April 2026.

There was a big turnout of business leaders at this session to learn more about the Draft Budget and its possible impact, while also providing valuable input to the City.

The total Draft Budget for 2026/27 amounts to a capital allocation of R5.9 billion and an operating budget of R68.8 billion. It’s geared towards building a resilient and inclusive economy that supports business development and job creation.

‘’Your input is important and critical to us. It has been a challenging budget to balance, given the global and domestic economic climate. We have placed a strong focus on upgrading infrastructure, accelerating service delivery, and investing in catalytic projects, particularly those that create employment,’’ said Mayor Xaba.

This budget introduced a range of initiatives aimed at stimulating economic activity and enhancing the ease of doing business. Key focus areas include infrastructure improvement, support for small, medium, and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs), and digital transformation to modernise Municipal services and improve efficiency.

In partnership with the private sector, several large-scale developments are underway and these include the Durban Film City, TradePort expansion initiatives, and various nodal developments. These projects represent a combined investment value of approximately R217 billion and are expected to significantly boost the Municipal rates base while also creating thousands of job opportunities.

After the presentation, stakeholders were invited to provide feedback. While many welcomed the budget, others raised concerns relating to tariff increases, road and stormwater infrastructure, tourism development, the Go! Durban project, and the inclusion of local SMMEs in procurement processes.

Mayor Xaba reaffirmed the City’s commitment to working closely with the business sector to unlock economic opportunities, improve on service delivery, and position eThekwini as a leading destination for investment.

There will be upcoming engagements with a variety of sectors in the next weeks. Keep your eyes on the City’s social media platforms for more information on hearings in your area of eThekwini.

Call to exhibit at 28th Durban Business Fair

 

Call to exhibit at 28th Durban Business Fair

NONDUDUZO NGCONGO

MORE than 50 businesses have secured exhibition space for the 28^th Durban Business Fair (DBF).

EThekwini Municipality invites local entrepreneurs to register to exhibit at the fair before the 17 April deadline. Photo: Supplied. 

This year’s edition themed, ‘’28 years of connecting SMMEs to markets and opportunities’’, will take place at the Durban Exhibition Centre from 20 April to 2 May.

EThekwini Municipality invites local entrepreneurs to register to exhibit at the fair before the 17 April deadline. In addition to the exhibition, the fair will feature a series of empowerment sessions, focusing on innovation, access to funding, and connecting businesses to international markets.

Chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee Councillor Thembo Ntuli said the fair played a significant role in strengthening the local small, medium, and micro sized enterprises (SMME) sector. ‘’Since 1998, more than 40 000 businesses have participated, with over 130 000 buyers and visitors attending and engaging with exhibitors. The initiative has helped create more than 21 000 sustainable jobs.’’

Application forms are available at:

·         199 Anton Lembede Street, 7^th Floor

·         All Sizakala Centres

·         Online from www.durban.gov.za by clicking the Business icon, then SMME Development and selecting the Durban Business Fair page.

·         Email zamani.shezi@durban.gov.za to request a form

 

For enquiries, businesses can call 031 311 4500.

EThekwini leads energy revival with refinery restoration

 

EThekwini leads energy revival with refinery restoration

KWANDA ZONDI

IN A decisive move to strengthen South Africa’s energy security, eThekwini City Manager Musa Mbhele, alongside the Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Phumzile Mgcina, conducted a strategic oversight visit to the former SAPREF Refinery in Prospecton recently.

Once a cornerstone of the country’s fuel production, the facility, now rebranded as the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) Refinery, is being repositioned as a key driver of industrial renewal.

Strategically located within the petrochemical value chain and adjacent to the Port of Durban’s logistics hub, the refinery is central to the economic vitality of KwaZulu-Natal.

‘’This is more than a technical inspection; it signals strong alignment between national and local government,’’ said Deputy Minister Mgcina. Mbhele added: ‘’The SANPC Refinery is a critical asset for both the municipal and national economy. Its revival will ensure that eThekwini remains globally competitive in industrial development.’’

The refinery’s return to operation is expected to unlock strategic crude supply opportunities aligned with BRICS partnerships. By leveraging South Africa’s membership, the facility aims to secure more reliable and diversified energy sources, contributing to greater fuel price stability.

The restoration project is projected to deliver significant economic benefits, including approximately 12 500 construction jobs and 2 850 permanent positions. It is also expected to contribute an estimated 1.8 percent to the national GDP, with a strong emphasis on inclusive growth through a targeted 65 percent local content threshold.