ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ETHEKWINI MARKS MAJOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT MILESTONE WITH 240 GRADUATES
A wave of smiles, joy, and celebration filled the Royal Durban Golf Club yesterday, 25 March, as eThekwini Municipality marked a significant milestone in youth empowerment and economic development.
The graduates were recognised not only for completing an intensive training journey, but for their resilience, discipline, and readiness to contribute to a rapidly evolving economy.
The programme forms part of the Municipality’s broader commitment to building a skilled, competitive workforce that can drive inclusive growth.
Delivered in partnership with key industry bodies including the Ethekwini Furniture Cluster, Durban Chemicals Cluster, KwaZulu-Natal Clothing and Textile Cluster, and Durban Automotive Cluster, the initiative provides participants with practical, industry-aligned skills.
These collaborations ensure that training is directly linked to workplace needs, strengthening both employability and local industry performance.
At its core, the programme reflects eThekwini’s strategic focus on human capital development as a driver of economic resilience.
This approach is embedded in the City’s Sakhe iTheku programme, which prioritises industrial competitiveness, inclusion, skills development, and stronger economic linkages.
Manufacturing remains central to this vision, connecting supply chains, logistics, maintenance services, and export markets, while creating opportunities across the broader economy.
The scale of the training underscores this commitment.
With over 700 modules and more than 6,000 hours of workplace experience, participants engaged in a rigorous, hands-on learning process.
Initiatives such as the Team Leader Development Programme, Lean Bootcamps, and specialised technical training equipped graduates with competencies in problem-solving, production efficiency, quality systems, and leadership.
Municipal officials highlighted that each new skill gained not only improves workplace performance, but also enhances confidence, employability, and long-term earning potential contributing to sustainable livelihoods and stronger communities.
As the ceremony concluded, graduates stepped forward with pride and renewed ambition, ready to play an active role in shaping a more inclusive and dynamic local economy.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate
