I WOULD like to congratulate the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) for being voted as Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre at the 30th anniversary of the World Travel Awards. The awards took place in Dubai on 15 October. This is the 18th time that the Durban ICC has been bestowed with this award. It is therefore a clear demonstration that the Durban ICC is indeed the best meetings and conference centre in the world. 

In the 23-year history of the award category at the World Travel Awards, this marks the 18th occasion that the Durban ICC has been bestowed with this prestigious title. That is testament to its unwavering commitment to ensure excellence. Also, the Durban ICC is a Municipal entity that has achieved clean audits year after year. This speaks to the calibre of leadership and staff that we have trusted with the responsibility of running the Durban ICC.

Congratulations for this momentous achievement and keep up the good work! October is commemorated as Mental Health Month in South Africa. I want to encourage eThekwini residents to join the call of reducing the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illness are often subjected to. We are reliably informed that an estimated 400 million people worldwide suffer from mental or neurological disorders or from psychosocial problems. It is for this reason that we also want to join the movement of those saying that mental health awareness shouldn’t be confined to one month but should be taking place all year long. It is important to raise awareness of mental health to dispel the stigma around it. This will allow those who require assistance to not be afraid to do so. Information is power in order to change people’s mindsets around mental health. 

They need understanding during this difficult time. Let us display the true spirit of Ubuntu and take care of one another and instead of discriminating against those who are suffering with mental health issues. We should be rallying around them to offer our support. We all know that mental illness may get worse if it is left untreated, so acting quickly to get the help needed is vital.