ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ETHEKWINI COUNCIL DECISIONS (29-05-26)
APPROVAL OF ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY 2026/2027 FINAL INTEGRATED
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Council has adopted the 2026/2027 Integrated Development Plan (IDP), setting out the City’s key development priorities for the upcoming financial year, with a strong focus on job creation, improved service delivery, infrastructure investment, and inclusive economic growth.
The adoption of the IDP follows an extensive planning and consultation process, including public participation, intergovernmental review, and technical assessments by National Treasury and other national departments, which confirmed alignment between the Municipality’s priorities and its budget framework.
The plan reflects a continued commitment to a people-centred development agenda aimed at improving quality of life across all communities, while strengthening the City’s role as a leading economic hub in the province and the country.
Key priorities in the 2026-2027 IDP include sustained investment in basic services and infrastructure, with the Municipality maintaining high service access levels, including 96.6% water access, 98.5% electricity access, and 93% waste removal coverage.
Economic growth and employment creation remain central to the City’s strategy, with targeted interventions supporting township economies, SMMEs, informal traders, youth employment programmes, agricultural cooperatives, and broader investment attraction initiatives.
The Municipality continues to position eThekwini as a key logistics and trade gateway, leveraging strategic infrastructure such as the Port of Durban, King Shaka International Airport, and Dube TradePort to drive regional competitiveness.
The IDP also places strong emphasis on spatial transformation and housing delivery, including densification, transit-oriented development, infill housing, and the upgrading of informal settlements to promote a more integrated and inclusive city.
Climate resilience and environmental sustainability are further prioritised through investments in disaster risk reduction, sustainable infrastructure, and the protection of environmental assets critical to long-term urban resilience.
Digital transformation remains a key enabler of service delivery, with expanded e-governance platforms, Sizakala Centres, multilingual communication systems, and more than 1,500 public Wi-Fi hotspots aimed at improving access to information and bridging the digital divide.
The Municipality remains financially stable, having achieved five consecutive unqualified audits, strong revenue collection performance, and one of the highest capital expenditure delivery rates among metropolitan municipalities.
The 2026/2027 IDP aligns local priorities with the District Development Model and national development objectives, reinforcing an integrated, collaborative approach to building a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive city.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR OLD NORTH COAST ROAD UPGRADE
The Council has approved an additional budget allocation of R27 million for the 2026/2027 financial year to support the completion of the Old North Coast Road Upgrade and Widening Project in Ward 110.
The upgrade includes the widening of the road into a dual carriageway, improved stormwater infrastructure, sidewalks, retaining walls, and other related works aimed at enhancing accessibility and mobility in the area.
The additional funding will be sourced through a combination of internal municipal project reallocations.
These include contributions from the Oceans Umhlanga Development project as well as the Cornubia Boulevard Phase 1 project, both of which have available allocations in the 2025/2026 financial year.
Currently, the project is approximately 90% complete. However, construction has faced several challenges, including unforeseen ground conditions, prolonged rainfall, and the relocation of critical services, which impacted timelines and costs.
Council noted that the additional funding is necessary to ensure the safe and successful completion of the project.
Failure to complete the works could pose safety risks to motorists and pedestrians, lead to increased traffic disruptions, and expose the Municipality to potential legal and financial implications.
The Municipality has also implemented measures to accelerate progress on site, including revised traffic management interventions to improve contractor access and reduce delays.
The completion of the Old North Coast Road project is expected to significantly improve traffic movement and support ongoing economic and residential developments within the Avoca Node and surrounding areas.
UMDLOTI AND UMKOMAAS REGIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT WORKS
Council has granted approval for the City to pursue an application to National Treasury’s Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) to support the development of two new regional wastewater treatment works at Umdloti and Umkomaas.
The initiative forms part of the Municipality’s Water and Sanitation Turnaround Strategy, which aims to stabilise and rehabilitate critical infrastructure, improve service delivery, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations across the municipal area.
Council authorised the Executive Director: Technical Services to facilitate the submission of the BFI application through the Water Partnership Office (WPO).
In addition, the City Manager has been granted authority to enter into an agreement with the WPO to provide specialist, grant-funded technical support for the preparation of the application.
This support will be provided at no cost to the Municipality, subject to final legal agreements.
The Water Partnership Office will provide grant funding of up to R1.6 million to assist with the preparation and submission of the application.
The Municipality will not be required to repay these funds.
The proposed wastewater infrastructure projects will address increasing capacity constraints at existing treatment facilities and support future development within the affected catchment areas.
The new regional plants at Umdloti and Umkomaas will include the construction of modern treatment works, associated conveyance systems, and the decommissioning of several ageing facilities currently under strain.
The Umdloti facility will serve the northern region, including areas such as Verulam and King Shaka International Airport, while the Umkomaas facility will serve the southern region, including Umkomaas, Craigieburn, and surrounding communities.
Both projects are intended to improve service reliability, enhance environmental protection, and support long-term urban and economic growth.
Council noted that the projects had previously been structured as a public-private partnership; however, affordability constraints made implementation within the current municipal financial framework challenging.
The BFI application is therefore viewed as a viable mechanism to secure national fiscal support to enable delivery.
The proposed developments are also expected to strengthen municipal revenue generation by expanding formal wastewater service provision and reducing reliance on private treatment solutions within developing areas.
REALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR BUDGET REQUIRED FOR PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION WITHIN ENERGY MANAGEMENT DIRECTORATE
In response to evolving implementation timelines and the need to accelerate delivery of priority electricity infrastructure projects, Council has approved the reallocation of R104.6 million within the Energy Management Directorate’s capital budget for the current financial year.
The adjustment is aimed at ensuring that available funding is directed towards projects that are ready for immediate implementation, while optimising the use of resources within the Municipality’s capital programme.
The approved funds will be redirected from projects that are not expected to fully utilise their allocations due to procurement delays, implementation constraints, or revised project timelines.
This allows the Directorate to prioritise urgent infrastructure interventions that are critical to service delivery.
The reallocated budget will support key energy infrastructure projects, including upgrades to high-voltage substation security and alarm systems, substation equipment repairs, lighting projects, data centre and core network enhancements, overhead line to underground cable conversions, and major network strengthening initiatives.
These projects are intended to improve the reliability, safety, and resilience of the electricity distribution network, while also supporting the modernisation of the Municipality’s digital and operational infrastructure.
Council noted that several capital projects have experienced delays due to procurement processes, contractor capacity constraints, and shifting implementation schedules. As a result, portions of the affected budgets were identified as unlikely to be fully spent within the current financial year and were therefore reprioritised.
The Municipality emphasised that this budget realignment will ensure improved financial efficiency, reduce the risk of under-expenditure, and enable faster delivery of critical infrastructure projects.
Relevant municipal divisions have been authorised to update official budget records accordingly to ensure proper financial governance and tracking.
NEW BOARD APPOINTMENTS FOR DURBAN MARINE THEME PARK AND THE INKOSI ALBERT LUTHULI INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE
In strengthening governance and ensuring effective oversight of its municipal entities, Council has approved the appointment of new Non-Executive Directors to the boards of the Durban Marine Theme Park (DMTP) trading as Ushaka Marine World and the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, trading as the Durban International Convention Centre (DICC).
The appointments form part of the Municipality’s ongoing efforts to ensure that municipal entities are adequately resourced with skilled leadership to support strategic direction, operational effectiveness, and service delivery.
For the Durban Marine Theme Park, Council approved the appointment of eight Non-Executive Directors following a nomination process undertaken in November 2025.
The entity requires a full complement of nine Non-Executive Directors, with eight vacancies arising with effect from 1 April 2026.
The following individuals have been appointed to the DMTP Board:
(i) Ms Diane Hoorzuk
(ii) Ms Nompumelelo Mabaso
(iii) Mr Suren Maharaj
(iv) Dr William Mapena
(v) Mr Prince Mthembu
(vi) Mrs Mbali Myeni
(vii) Dr Sihle Ndlovu
(viii) Dr Brandon Pillay
Council also approved the appointment of four Non-Executive Directors to the Durban International Convention Centre Board, following vacancies that arose with effect from 1 April 2026.
The DICC requires a full complement of nine Non-Executive Directors for optimal functionality.
The following individuals have been appointed to the DICC Board:
(i) Mr Thinta Cibane
(ii) Dr Prittish Dala
(iii) Ms Lwazoluhle Kleinbooi
(iv) Mr Thulisa Ndlela
Council noted that these appointments are aimed at ensuring continuity, strengthening oversight, and enhancing the performance of municipal entities that play a key role in tourism, events, and economic development within eThekwini.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate
