One hundred youth to gain hands-on skills

 

One hundred youth to gain hands-on skills

SANE SHANDU

ETHEKWINI Municipality is taking bold steps to equip local youth with practical, life-changing skills. On 5 March, 100 unemployed young people from Ntuzuma and surrounding areas enrolled in a three-month vocational training programme through the eThekwini Municipal Academy.

One hundred young people have enrolled in a three-month vocational training programme where they  will be equipped with practical skills to find employment. | Photo: Supplied. 

The training spans plumbing, electricity, bricklaying, and tiling, linked to ongoing construction projects including Ntuzuma Mall, Nozaza Node Hub, housing developments, and other community upgrades.

Participants will gain hands-on experience and, upon completion, transition directly into roles on these projects, turning skills development into real employment and enterprise opportunities.

Ward 42 Councillor Fisokuhle Mngadi praised the initiative. ‘’This programme ensures young people can access local opportunities instead of labour being brought in from outside. It is a practical step towards building local capacity and uplifting the community.’’

The programme strengthens local maintenance capacity, accelerates service delivery, and keeps economic benefits circulating within the community.

Participant Nokwanda Mazibuko, a young woman entering the male-dominated trade of tiling, described the programme as ‘’life-changing.’’ ‘’This programme is giving me a real skill and a future. It has also afforded me a chance to uplift my family and my community.’’

Mayor fast-tracks housing for displaced flood victims

 

Mayor fast-tracks housing for displaced flood victims

METRO REPORTER

ETHEKWINI Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba has expressed confidence in the City’s plan to provide decent housing for flood victims.

This follows his oversight visit to Montclair Lodge on 5 March, to assess progress of the refurbishment of the facility, which will temporarily accommodate disaster victims.

The project is being implemented jointly by eThekwini Municipality, as well as the provincial and national government. Mayor Xaba said he was satisfied with the progress made in refurbishing the first 272 units. In total, the project will deliver 500 units.

‘’The completion of this project is crucial, as it will provide government with its own facility to accommodate disaster victims instead of relying on privately-owned facilities. Each time we have disasters, we will know where to take victims to while awaiting permanent housing,’’ said Mayor Xaba.

The refurbishment project is expected to be completed by June this year. The first occupants of the lodge will be flood victims currently accommodated in temporary emergency accommodation. They will be housed there temporarily while awaiting the completion of permanent houses in the Cornubia Housing Project.

The Mayor last month visited the Cornubia Housing Project to assess progress of the construction of permanent housing for flood victims.

Already, 113 houses are nearing completion. The total yield of the project is 1 200 units, which will be able to accommodate all flood victims currently in temporary emergency accommodation.

Boost for City tourism following statue unveiling

 

Boost for City tourism 

following statue unveiling

GUGU MDLALOSE

TWO landmark statues that were recently unveiled have added a boost to the City’s tourism offerings.

The statues of two struggle icons, Nelson Mandela and former ANC President Oliver Tambo, were unveiled by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 3 March.

The event was marked with traditional dancing and vibrant displays of culture, with the unveiling described by President Ramaphosa as ‘’historic’’.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the sites and engage with the stories of the two stalwarts whose leadership shaped the nation.

At each statue site there is extensive history about the leader which visitors can download using a QR code to access more information.

President Ramaphosa said eThekwini Municipality has bestowed this honour on two icons in recognition of their contribution towards the struggle for freedom, social justice, and the empowerment of people.

‘’Monuments of this nature are important for preserving our history and heritage,’’ he said.

The location of each statue is significant. The Mandela statue is in the Moses Mabhida precinct near the Kings Park Stadium. Soon after his release from prison in 1990 Mandela addressed his first large mass rally in Durban at the Kings Park Stadium. The rally drew more than 200 000 people.

In the same vein, the towering statue of Oliver Tambo on the beachfront is a reminder of his journey across oceans convincing the world about the importance of breaking down the walls of apartheid.

President Ramaphosa also touched on the impact the statues will have on tourism in the City saying:

‘’We can anticipate that these statues will contribute to exceptional growth in tourism in eThekwini.’’

Cementing the City’s status as an events and sporting capital, he said eThekwini will be the venue for the 46^th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community taking place in August.

‘’This is a worthy recognition of the progress that has been made together with all social partners in restoring confidence in the City.’’

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Xaba said the statues will inspire present and future generations to learn more about the contributions these struggle icons made in building a democratic South Africa.

Speaking on other monuments in the City, Mayor Xaba said the Indentured Workers Monument, commissioned in partnership with the provincial government, was unveiled in November last year at South Beach.

It commemorated 165 years since the arrival of the first indentured Indian workers in KwaZulu-Natal.

‘’We are also engaging the Embassy of Portugal regarding the relocation of the statue of Portuguese poet, Fernando Pessoa, from the city centre to the Durban Botanic Gardens. These monuments form part of our broader strategy to expand tourism infrastructure and enhance tourism offerings,’’ he concluded.

Register for Durban Business Fair 2026

 

By Fred Felton | Mar. 21, 2026

There is high demand for exhibition space at Durban Business Fair. Over 50 businesses have already booked exhibition space for the 28^th Durban Business Fair.

Businesses engage with potential buyers at a previous edition of the Durban Business Fair. Photo: Supplied. 

There is strong demand for the City’s flagship platform that connects small businesses to markets, opportunities, and potential investors.

The theme for the 2026 Durban Business Fair is ‘’28 Years of Connecting SMMEs to Markets and Opportunities.’’ The Durban Business Fair will take place at Durban Exhibition Centre from 30 April to 2 May 2026.

The eThekwini Municipality is inviting local entrepreneurs and business owners to register to exhibit at the fair before the deadline date of 17 April 2026.

The Durban Business Fair is the perfect place to showcase products and services, access new markets, and build valuable business networks. The fair will also feature a series of empowerment sessions focusing on innovation, access to funding, and connecting businesses to international markets.

‘’Since 1998, more than 40 000 businesses have participated in the Durban Business Fair, with over 130 000 buyers and visitors attending and engaging with exhibitors. The initiative has helped create more than 21 000 sustainable jobs, thanks to an investment of over R400 million over the past 28 years to support small businesses through this platform,’’ said Chairperson of the City’s Economic Development and Planning Committee Councillor Thembo Ntuli.

Business owners are encouraged to register early as exhibition space is filling up fast.

You can download a registration form here: https://tinyurl.com/ye96s948

Forms can also be obtained here:

§  199 Anton Lembede Street (7^th Floor), Durban

§  Sizakala Customer Centres

§  Online www.durban.gov.za (click the Business icon, select SMME Development, then the Durban Business Fair page)

§  Email zamani.shezi@durban.gov.za

 

‘’We are very excited to be exhibiting for the first time. We moved quickly to secure a spot as the Durban Business Fair comes highly recommended. We want to showcase our services, connect with new clients for design and construction projects, and position our company among like-minded businesses, potentially leading to subcontract work. We are looking forward to this exhibition,’’ said Anele Mabhoza, founder of Mabhoza Engineers in Hillcrest.

For more information about the Durban Business Fair call 031 311 4500

Regeneration at Heart of Global Blue Economy Agenda for Africa

 

By Fred Felton | Mar. 11, 2026

Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA), in partnership with eThekwini Municipality as host city, will hold its 2026 summit in Durban at the Durban ICC from 23 to 25 March.

Durban will be the host city for OIA 2026. | Photo: Durban Tourism 

This Summit is aimed at positioning Africa at the forefront of the global shift from a sustainable to a regenerative blue economy, and brings together investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, scientists, development finance institutions and community leaders to accelerate implementation, unlock capital and investment, and coordinate tangible action across Africa’s ocean economy.

The eThekwini Municipality is host city and main partner and certainly demonstrates its active leadership in advancing the blue economy by looking towards how to strengthen coastal management, support maritime and port-linked innovation, and align local development strategies with climate resilience and ocean sustainability objectives. As the host of OIA 2026, eThekwini reinforces Durban’s position as an important continental hub for ocean innovation, investment, and policy leadership.

‘’As climate pressures intensify and ocean degradation accelerates globally, our continent stands at a defining moment. With more than 38 coastal and island states and a rapidly expanding ocean economy, Africa has a unique opportunity to lead a regenerative model, one that restores ecosystems, strengthens long-term stability and drives equitable economic growth,’’ said Alexis Grosskopf, Founder of OceanHub Africa and spokesperson for Ocean Innovation Africa.

For the 2026 Summit the focus will be on regenerative blue business models and nature-positive growth; blue finance pathways, from aid to local and blended capital, marine protection, economic expansion and community stability, pan-African innovation ecosystems and solution-oriented workshops and curated Business-to-Business matchmaking and investor meetings and dialogues.

Annually the global ocean economy is valued in the trillions of dollars, yet overfishing, pollution, habitat loss, and climate change are undermining both ecological stability and economic security. Incremental sustainability is no longer enough.

‘’We expect that investors, policy-makers, and innovators will join forces and co-ordinate strategies to tackle priority bottlenecks, drive practical collaborations, scale solutions, and reinforce Africa-led regenerative framing within global ocean dialogues,’’ noted Grosskopf.

OIA 2026 positions Africa as both contributor and leader in shaping the future of the blue economy.

For more information or to register go to: www.ocean-innovation.africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa Unveiled Landmark Statues in eThekwini Municipality

 

By Fred Felton | Mar. 8, 2026

On Tuesday 3^rd March 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled statues honouring President Nelson Mandela and former ANC President Oliver Tambo.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was joined by eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba, as well as national and provincial Members of Parliament, councillors and other government officials at the official unveiling of landmark statues honouring struggle stalwarts Nelson Mandela and former ANC President Oliver Tambo. | Photo: Thuli Dlamini. 

The 10-metre statues have been installed in prominent and accessible locations in Durban.

‘’The eThekwini Municipality has bestowed this honour on these two icons in recognition of their contribution towards our struggle for freedom, social justice and the empowerment of our people. Monuments of this nature are important for preserving our history and heritage. They anchor the collective memory of a nation. They are important as a public affirmation of the values which these leaders represented and the principles for which they fought,’’ said President Cyril Ramaphosa.

These statues celebrate the historic contribution made by both leaders to the country’s liberation and democracy and are directed at enhancing the city’s cultural and heritage tourism offering.

‘’It is significant that these statues are unveiled in the year that we celebrate 30 years of the adoption of our democratic Constitution,’’ noted President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The unveiling formed part of the City’s commitment to promote Durban as a heritage tourism destination.

‘’We unveil these statues knowing that people from across our country and across the world will come to see them, eThekwini is one of the premier tourist destinations in our country and we can anticipate that these statues will contribute to exceptional growth in tourism. It is said that more than 6.8 million people visited the beaches and the promenade over the festive season and that more than 1.2 million bathers were recorded at the municipality’s swimming pools. This is a sign both of what the city has to offer and the hard work that has been done by all stakeholders to ensure that eThekwini is a place that people want to visit. I am therefore pleased to announce that eThekwini will be the venue for the 46^th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community – SADC – to be held in August 2026,’’ said President Cyril Ramaphosa.

‘’As we face the challenges of today and tomorrow, we are standing on the shoulders of these brave men and women, their lives will continue to inspire and encourage us as we strive together for a better world,’’ noted President Cyril Ramaphosa.

‘’Each statue celebrates the extraordinary contributions these leaders made to the country’s journey to freedom. We trust that these statues will inspire present and future generations to learn more about the immense contributions these struggle icons made in building the democratic South Africa we enjoy today,’’ said eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba.

Following the unveiling ceremony, President Cyril Ramaphosa convened a meeting of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG) at the Durban ICC.

The Presidential eThekwini Working Group, was established in April 2024, it is a collaborative initiative between The Presidency, the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) to address service delivery challenges, improve infrastructure, stabilise governance, and enhance economic growth in the municipality.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders including business and organised labour leaders, Ministers, Premier Thami Ntuli, Members of the Executive Council (MECs), senior government officials, and the Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Councillor Cyril Xaba.

The engagement took stock of the progress made since the establishment of PeWG and outlined the next phase of focused interventions aimed at strengthening economic growth, job creation, infrastructure development, and improved service delivery in eThekwini.

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.

Dolphin Coast in Global Golf Spotlight with Jonsson Workwear Durban Open

 

By Fred Felton | Jan. 21, 2026

Durban can look forward to seeing world-class international golf as the host of the Jonsson Workwear Durban Open on the Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour this February.

Durban will once again welcome world-class internatoinal golf to its fairways as the host city of the Jonsson Workwear Durban Open at the historic Durban Country Club. The tournament will be played at the Durban Country Club from 19-22 February, in partnership with eThekwini Municipality. Photo: Supplied. 

This R6-million (dependant on the US dollar exchange rate) tournament will be played at the historic Durban Country Club from 19-22 February, in partnership with the City of Durban.

You can expect a strong field of South African and global golfers as they head to the city that is quickly establishing itself as a key destination in world golf for rising stars looking to make their mark in the game.

Visitors can also look forward to seeing a revamped Durban Country Club that has been elevated back to its true championship potential.

‘’Bringing the Jonsson Workwear Open back to Durban is incredibly meaningful for us. This is where our business was built, and where our headquarters are still located. Seeing it return to the Durban Country Club, one of South Africa’s great historic courses, and witnessing international golfers experience the rejuvenated course makes this homecoming even more memorable. Durban has a proud sporting heritage and we’re proud to partner with the City in hosting an event that spotlights excellence right here on our doorstep,’’ said CEO and Chairman of Jonsson Workwear, Nick Jonsson.

The Jonsson Workwear Durban Open forms part of the South African Swing of four tournaments that will tee off the new season on the HotelPlanner Tour, the main feeder to the DP World Tour.

The Jonsson Workwear Durban Open will be the final tournament on this opening swing and will play a key role in the quest of South African professionals to make a fast start on the Road to Mallorca Rankings and thereby try and gain promotion to the DP World Tour for next season.

‘’The Jonsson Workwear Durban Open, as part of our co-sanctioned tournaments with the HotelPlanner Tour, is an extremely valuable element of the global pathway for our Sunshine Tour members. Through consistent exposure on the HotelPlanner Tour, we have seen several members graduate onto the DP World Tour. Jonsson Workwear shares this vision of developing greatness on our fairways, and particularly in Durban, which has a rich golf heritage,’’ noted Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour.

The partnership with Jonsson Workwear, the City of Durban and Durban Country Club has indeed yielded great success for South African professional golf.

JC Ritchie, the winner of this tournament in 2022, became the first South African golfer in history to finish top of the Road to Mallorca Rankings last season thereby graduating to the DP World Tour.

Another great golf moment for the City was when Durban Country Club hosted the 2025 Investec South African Open and Dylan Naidoo became the first player of colour to win his national Open.

‘’Durban is proud to be the host of a premier golf tournament this February, bringing together top local and international talent for a celebration of sport, community, and economic growth. Hosting the tournament in the City is set to promote Durban as a global sporting destination, while showcasing the City’s world-class facilities and vibrant culture. Young athletes, especially from the disadvantage areas, will be inspired and encouraged to participate in golf through golf clinics, school and mentorship outreach programs, as well as community initiatives,’’ noted Mr Musa Mbhele, City Manager of eThekwini Municipality.

This will be the sixth consecutive year for the HotelPlanner Tour in South Africa as the tour tees off its season in this country.

‘’We are also very excited to visit Durban this year, with its rich history in our sport. Durban Country Club will provide an outstanding test for our players and having hosted the Investec South African Open just last year, it is the perfect setting to close out our South African Swing. We are incredibly grateful to the Sunshine Tour, Jonsson Workwear and the City of Durban for their commitment to this event,’’ said Jamie Hodges, HotelPlanner Tour Director.