Service delivery, as well as other measures to improve the City will be discussed by eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda during the State of the City Address tomorrow.

IT IS all systems go for the State of the City Address (SOCA) to be delivered by eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda tomorrow, 26 April at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. The annual, issues-driven address by Mayor Kaunda will outline the Municipality’s financial position, progress on capital projects, and will set the agenda for the year ahead. 

Among the dignitaries that have confirmed attendance is the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Nomusa Dube-Ncube, philanthropist and businessman Vivian Reddy, members of the Provincial Legislature, Amakhosi, and the business fraternity. Road users are advised that there will be minimal traffic disruptions on Dr Pixley KaSeme Street and Walnut Road which will be used for the parade, drill, and official salute before SOCA. The SOCA will be followed by an ordinary Council meeting. There are a series of activities planned prior to SOCA. This includes a colourful parade starting at the Durban City Hall and ending at the Durban ICC Arena at 09h00. This will be followed by a law enforcement drill and official salute at 09h30. 

This will start at Walnut Road and end at the Durban ICC Arena. The SOCA will follow thereafter at 10h30. The SOCA will be delivered under the theme ‘Through our unity of purpose, we can build a solid foundation for a resilient and economically inclusive City’. The address by Mayor Kaunda aims to bring hope to eThekwini residents and the business sector. It will outline bold and tangible interventions to ensure no one is left behind. In ensuring that eThekwini remains a world-class City, Mayor Kaunda has identified five key priorities which are;

“We are happy that as a result of our interventions, we are beginning to see the economy bouncing back and returning to pre COVID-19 growth levels. This can be attributed to the Economic Recovery Plan which we continue to use as a blueprint to respond to disasters,” said Mayor Kaunda. He said they are encouraged that businesses that were forced to halt operations during the hard lockdown were able to reopen and retain most jobs. “During this period we were able to attract foreign direct investment of close to R4 billion. We commend the private sector for continuing to show confidence by investing in our City,” he concluded.