ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FULL COUNCIL DECISIONS
APPROVAL TO UPDATE THE HOUSEHOLD COUNT FIGURE FOR PLANNING AND REPORTING
Council approved an updated total household count of 1,339,259 for the 2025/2026 financial year, based on Statistics South Africa’s General Household Survey: Selected Development Indicators 2024.
This approval forms a critical part of the Municipality’s ongoing efforts to ensure accurate, consistent, and data-driven planning across all areas of governance.
The updated household count ensures the Municipality’s planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting processes are aligned with the most recent and reliable data.
All municipal strategic and planning documents will be updated accordingly to reflect the revised household figure.
Council further resolved that this household count, or any future updated figure provided by Statistics South Africa, will continue to be utilised until a new, Council-approved methodology for determining household figures is developed.
To ensure consistency across the institution, all Directorates within the Municipality will uniformly apply the approved household count in their planning and reporting processes.
The revised household count, together with the updated indigent household figures, will be incorporated into key municipal planning instruments, including the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and the Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP) for the 2025/2026 financial year and beyond, in line with prescribed processes.
CITY TO ENTER INTO A COLLABORATION AGREEMENT WITH THE ENERGY AND WATER SECTOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING AUTHORITY
The Council has noted progress in the establishment of the Youth for Energy Transition Programme (YETP), a strategic initiative aimed at advancing skills development and linking training opportunities to confirmed energy infrastructure projects within the City.
In line with this, Council has approved that the Municipality enters into and signs a Collaboration Agreement with the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) to support the implementation of the programme.
The Youth for Energy Transition Programme is designed as a forward-looking intervention that prepares young people for participation in the evolving energy economy. It focuses on equipping unemployed youth with relevant skills aligned to the anticipated demands of energy infrastructure projects, ensuring readiness ahead of implementation phases.
Through the collaboration with EWSETA, the Municipality is expected to unlock both financial and technical support to strengthen the design and rollout of the YETP training programme.
This partnership will enhance the City’s ability to deliver targeted, sector-specific training that responds to labour market needs, while supporting the transition towards a more inclusive energy economy.
CITY TO IMPLEMENT THE JUNCAO TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMME
The City is set to implement the Juncao Technology Programme, as part of its broader Agribusiness development initiatives aimed at strengthening food security, sustainable agriculture, and local economic development.
The programme will introduce Juncao grass technology within the City to support livestock feed production, mushroom cultivation, and land rehabilitation.
This innovative agricultural system is expected to contribute to improved productivity, environmental restoration, and the expansion of sustainable farming practices.
The introduction of Juncao technology presents a significant opportunity for the Municipality to advance an integrated agricultural model that supports food security, enhances livestock feed production, promotes sustainable mushroom cultivation, and contributes to ecological rehabilitation.
The programme is aligned with the strategic objectives of the eThekwini Agribusiness Masterplan.
The Agribusiness Masterplan identifies priority commodities for commercial development, including sheep, poultry, vegetables, and piggery.
The Juncao Technology Programme is expected to complement these focus areas by creating enabling conditions for increased productivity and new enterprise opportunities for emerging and established farmers.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL TAXI COUNCIL FOR GREATER NORTH REGION
Council granted City Manager the authority to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Site Location Agreement with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) Greater North Region.
This agreement will facilitate the establishment of both temporary and permanent public transport holding facilities within the Cornubia and Umhlanga precincts, forming part of the eThekwini Transport Authority’s approved transport infrastructure programme.
The purpose of the agreement is to formalise governance arrangements, operational frameworks, and the identification of designated sites for public transport holding facilities in the Greater North Region.
In the short term, an interim programme will be rolled out to address immediate operational challenges and reduce congestion in the area. This will include the provision of approximately 73 parking bays across two sites.
In the longer term, the Municipality is progressing plans for a permanent public transport holding facility at Portion 2 of Erf 26, Cornubia, near the Cornubia Makro precinct. This facility, currently in the design and feasibility phase, will be developed to meet future demand and ensure a sustainable, well-managed public transport system in the area.
ADOPTION OF REVISED ETHEKWINI DISASTER MANAGEMENT POLICY FRAMEWORK
Council has formally approved the revised eThekwini Disaster Management Policy Framework, in accordance with Section 42(1) of the Disaster Management Act.
The updated framework provides a strategic foundation to strengthen disaster risk reduction and enhance resilience across the City. It emphasises the integration of disaster risk management into all aspects of municipal planning, service delivery, and operations, ensuring a proactive and coordinated approach to managing risks.
According to the report tabled at Council, the previous Disaster Management Framework, adopted in September 2008, has been in place for over a decade.
Since then, the disaster management environment has evolved considerably, necessitating a comprehensive review to align with current risks, best practices, and legislative requirements.
In August 2024, Council adopted the eThekwini Disaster Risk and Response Management Level 2 Plan, developed following a city-wide risk and vulnerability assessment. Building on this foundation, the revised policy framework has been developed by the eThekwini Disaster Management Directorate, in close collaboration with Provincial and National Disaster Management Centres, ensuring alignment with national guidelines and frameworks.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate
