The Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG) has reported significant progress on several key infrastructure, economic, and water security initiatives aimed at unlocking development in the city.
The updates were presented during the PeWG's July monthly co-chairpersons meeting, where workstreams outlined progress on a range of strategic interventions being implemented through collaboration between the Presidency, national government and the eThekwini Municipality.
Among the major economic developments is Toyota South Africa Motors' reaffirmed investment of R10 billion in its eThekwini manufacturing plant to produce the next generation of the Toyota Hilux, signalling continued investor confidence in the city's automotive sector.
To protect this critical sociology-economic footprint in the South Durban Basin, the PeWG is also accelerating plans to upgrade the Umlazi Canal.
Following a high-level financing workshop convened by the Presidency, stakeholders have finalised the scope of a R310 million feasibility study that will assess measures to reduce flood risks and secure blended public-private financing for the eventual R4.5 billion canal infrastructure overhaul.
The working group also reported significant progress across spatial and transport networks.
The eThekwini Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN) remains on track for its planned launch in December 2026, while the multimillion-rand rehabilitation of Everton Road has been completed, restoring an essential suburban-business artery.
In addition, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), through Workstream 5, is overseeing 18 community development projects worth R391.5 million along the critical N2 and N3 transport corridors.
The municipality has also reported improvements in water service delivery through the eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) Unit.
According to the PeWG, the unit has successfully established its turnaround and governance frameworks, supported by initiatives such as leak detection, valve maintenance and ongoing customer data cleansing.
These interventions have contributed to a three-percentage-point reduction in non-revenue water, lowering losses to 55.7%.
On the public safety front, the metro has intensified efforts to crackdown on illegally occupied buildings in Durban's central business district, while expanding the operational footprint of its municipal closed-circuit television (CCTV) network.
More than 58% of the city’s command-centre cameras are fully operational and are being used to support criminal investigations and prosecutions.
The PeWG also highlighted the formal transition of the Partnerships Framework to the newly established Economic Development Workstream (Workstream 8), aimed at strengthening collaboration between government structures and the private sector.
By driving targeted interventions through specialised teams, the PeWG continues to systematically remove legislative, financial, and logistical bottlenecks, supporting efforts to restore Durban’s full economic potential.
PeWG Chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu said President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the improvements being made in eThekwini, through the initiative.
"We regularly report to the President on the progress made each month. I must say that the President is pleased and is closely monitoring the work we are doing in Durban against the 18-month target, which runs until late 2027," Mabuyakhulu said.
Mabuyakhulu also indicated that work has begun to integrate the PeWG into the District Development Model (DDM), with the intention of phasing out the working group by November 2027.
"Part of the work we are undertaking involves phasing out the PeWG by November 2027, and integrating its functions into the DDM, provided everything proceeds according to plan," Mabuyakhulu said. – SAnews.gov.za
