The eThekwini Municipality has invested some R260 million in capital projects over past the three financial years from 2024/25 to 2026/27, to upgrade informal trading infrastructure, improve traders’ working conditions and expand economic opportunities.
The investment was highlighted at the fifth eThekwini Informal Economy Summit held recently at the Durban Exhibition Centre, which brought together traders, government departments, financial institutions and other sector stakeholders.
The summit provided a platform to showcase existing support programmes, outline future plans, explore funding opportunities and identify practical ways to strengthen businesses and grow the informal economy.
Presentations covered capital projects, destination markets, the state of the city’s informal economy, spaza shop funding, township economic development and banking solutions.
Traders also viewed a video showcasing completed projects, including the recently launched Mansel Road Market and Lucky Mngwengwe Traders Precinct, as well as progress on developments currently underway.
At the summit, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba described the informal economy as a critical source of livelihoods and employment in the city.
According to Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey, approximately 260 000 people in eThekwini work in the informal sector, including approximately 75 000 in informal trade.
The city recorded an unemployment rate of 21.2% in the second quarter of 2026, the lowest among South Africa’s metropolitan municipalities.
“The informal economy plays a vital role in the lives of eThekwini residents. It creates employment opportunities, supports families, and grows our local communities,” Xaba said.
Award-winning traders
The summit also recognised 32 informal traders from across the city’s regions at the Informal Traders Recognition Awards.
The awards were presented in four categories, namely: Youth-Owned Business, Innovative Business, Job Creation and Outstanding Compliance with Municipal By-laws.
The winning businesses operate across various sectors, including hair and beauty, fashion and design, automotive services, recycling, photography, herbal trading and food retail.
Innovative ventures recognised included an internet café, drone services and beauty and massage services.
The prize money totalled R224 000, while Standard Bank provided each winner with a point-of-sale device valued at R6 000 to enable electronic payments.
Chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee for the eThekwini Municipality, Thembo Ntuli, reported progress on commitments made at the previous summit.
These include the refurbishment of more than 200 trading sites, the construction of the Brook Street storage facility in the central business district and the funding secured for improvements at Bridge City, where work is expected to begin in December 2026.
Additional projects are in the final stages of approval for implementation over the next three years.
The planned developments include small business facilities, storage infrastructure, container trading sites at Sbusiso Mdakane and BB Section in uMlazi, the Berea Herb Market, the Bovine Head Market in Warwick Junction near Dalton and the KwaMashu motor repair site. – SAnews.gov.za
