THE business community has committed to working with the Municipality to grow Durban’s economy. This transpired during a working engagement between business and the Municipality which was led by City Manager 
Musa Mbhele at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 21 October. 

The working engagement aimed to establish common ground to solve socio-economic challenges, make the City more competitive as an investment destination, and explore opportunities for crowd-resourcing to influence the 
City’s economic growth trajectory. The engagement was attended by the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), KZN Growth Coalition, the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the South African Property Owner’s Association. 

Mbhele said the engagement provided an opportunity for dialogue between business and the Municipality to explore ways for the City’s economy to grow as well as solutions to deal with various challenges that may be stifling the economy. “As the Municipality, we recognise the role that business plays in growing the City’s economy. It is therefore important to get a partnership working. The business sector has raised several concerns, including the challenges around water and sanitation infrastructure and the cost of doing business in eThekwini. We have committed to resolving these challenges,” said Mbhele.

Chief Executive Officer of the DCCI Palesa Phili said they appreciated the opportunity to share their views as the business sector. “We are impressed with the speedy response the City Manager has provided concerning challenges around the water and sanitation infrastructure but also the attention he has paid to the challenges in the South Durban Basin. We all have a vested interest to get the City working and performing well. Municipal employees can do their part by ensuring timeous service delivery,” she said. The business sector welcomed the engagement with the City.