eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba has reaffirmed the city’s commitment to working closely with the national Department of Transport and its entities to upgrade transport infrastructure and strengthen it’s position as a vibrant transport and logistics hub.
The commitment follows a two-day oversight visit by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport to assess various major infrastructure and public transport projects in the city.
During the visit, the committee commended progress made by the municipality in implementing the Integrated Public Transport Network, GO! Durban, while also raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the programme amid the winding down of the Public Transport Network Grant.
Xaba led a joint delegation comprising members of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, officials from the Department of Transport and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport on a site inspection of the GO! Durban C3 route.
The oversight programme began at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre before proceeding to Pinecrest Mall, where the delegation inspected the C3 route, which operates between Pinetown and Bridge City.
Committee Chairperson Donald Selamolela welcomed the engagement, saying the visit provided valuable insight into both the progress achieved and the challenges faced in delivering a safe, reliable and integrated public transport system.
Addressing the debriefing session, Xaba thanked the committee for the oversight visit, noting that it offered a clearer understanding of the C3 route and its supporting infrastructure.
He said the city’s infrastructure drive was underpinned by growing economic trajectory, citing the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Business Confidence Index, which showed a marked increase in eThekwini’s score from 52.12 points in the third quarter of 2025 to 63.38 in the fourth quarter.
“This improvement reflects growing optimism among businesspeople about both the current and future economic climate in Durban. This vote of confidence from the business sector compels us to redouble our efforts to upgrade infrastructure and create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive,” Xaba said.
He added that the municipality continues to work closely with the Department of Transport, its entities and the private sector to upgrade transport infrastructure and reinforce eThekwini’s position as a vibrant transport and logistics hub.
As part of broader efforts to improve freight efficiency, the city is collaborating with Transnet to decongest and improve operations at the Port of Durban. Engagements have also been held with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa to discuss strategies for upgrading and modernising passenger rail infrastructure.
Xaba said partnerships with the private sector and Transnet Freight Rail Infrastructure Manager are moving swiftly to implement bold initiatives aimed at shifting a significant portion of freight from road to rail.
“A few months ago, we unveiled the R10 billion Insimbi Ridge Development in Cato Ridge, which forms part of our broader programme to establish an inland port and decongest the harbour. Furthermore, SANRAL [the South African National Roads Agency] is undertaking major projects within the city to upgrade the N2 and N3 transport corridors,” Xaba said. – SAnews.gov.za
