ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CITY ALLOCATES OVER R2.1 MILLION TOWARDS PROGRAMMES SUPPORTING THE DISABILITY SECTOR IN DRAFT 2026/27 BUDGET
EThekwini Municipality has allocated over R2.1 million to support disability sector programmes in the proposed Draft Budget for the 2026/27 financial year. This was revealed during the 2026/27 Draft Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Budget consultation held at the Olive Convention Centre today.
The allocations towards disability sector programmes include empowerment, awareness, diversity, and education-focused strategic programmes and initiatives. Additionally, R13 million has been allocated to sustain the Dial-A-Ride service, which provides ongoing transport support to persons with disabilities.
The draft budget of R74.7 billion, along with the Integrated Development Plan and Spatial Development Framework (SDF) priorities, was presented to hundreds of disability sector members.
The SDF outlines key focus areas, including promoting economic development, protecting environmentally sensitive areas, addressing poverty and unemployment, and improving access to jobs, social services, and transport.
The IDP includes an eight-point plan that is directly aligned with the budget and geared towards achieving the vision of eThekwini becoming the most caring and liveable city by 2030.
The draft budget was developed with a strong emphasis on reforming trading services, addressing service delivery backlogs, and upgrading infrastructure.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Zandile Myeni, said the City is aware of the challenges faced by the disability sector and that engagements of this nature assist the City in crafting effective solutions and outcomes, particularly in relation to employment.
“Job creation strategies must actively consider persons with disabilities, not as beneficiaries on the margins, but as active participants in the economy,” she said.
“We have a clear obligation to ensure that development is inclusive, accessible, and equitable.”
Myeni added that attendees bring lived experience, practical insight, and solutions that no document or technical team can fully replicate without their involvement.
She encouraged the sector to inform the City of existing barriers, where services fall short, and where opportunities can be unlocked.
The sector appreciated the platform to engage but also raised issues relating to accessibility, housing, transport, service delivery, education in relation to special schools, and employment qualifying criteria.
ENDS
ISSUED BY ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY’S MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE
