ASIMILE SIYAQHUBA – FIVE YEARS OF ADVANCEMENT TOWARDS GROWING AGRIBUSINESS

SIGNIFICANT strides have been made in the Agribusiness sector. Highlighting the gains made in this regard is the Five-Year Service Delivery Milestones campaign. It is being rolled out under the theme: Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilence Through Adversity. In this  edition we unpack gains made in the Agribusiness value chain. The Agribusiness Division of eThekwini Municipality, which falls under the Economic Development Directorate, supports agri- micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating across the agricultural value chain. Its work is guided by the eThekwini Agribusiness 10 Year Masterplan approved by Council in 2020. The Masterplan prioritises five strategic commodities: cannabis, sheep, piggery, vegetable crops, and poultry (broilers and egg layers). Between 2021 and 2025, the division implemented targeted infrastructure investment, enterprise incubation, skills development and market facilitation programmes. Over the past five years, the division has strengthened the agricultural value chain, expanded market access for small scale producers, and created sustainable employment.

KEY AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES:

AGRIPARKS INCUBATOR PROGRAMME

The AgriParks Incubator Programme promotes inclusive participation through access to infrastructure, processing facilities, incubation support, and market linkages.

The Municipality operates three AgriParks:

• Cato Ridge AgriPark (West Region)

• Cottonlands AgriPark (North Region)

• Ottawa AgriPark (North Region).

Between 2021 and 2025, the three AgriParks collectively invested approximately R42.5 million in infrastructure. This includes broiler production facilities, an intensive sheep feedlot, agro-processing facilities, storage units, fencing, irrigation systems, electrification of poultry houses, coal-fired stoves, and water infrastructure.

Impact of the three AgriParks (2021-2025):

• Enterprises supported: 19

• Jobs created: 375

• Estimated economic benefit generated: R70 million

• City’s investment: R42.5 million

• Over 1 million chickens sold since 2022 resuscitation at Cato Ridge.

These investments strengthened production capacity, expanded agro processing, and improved market access. They also revitalised poultry and livestock operations across the metro.

FARMER SKILLS AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The Farmer Skills and Enterprise Development Programme improves productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness through structured training and mentorship. It began in 2022 and is implemented in phases. Across phase one and phase two, the programme reflects a combined investment of R32 million, initially funded through the Public Employment Programme.

Impact and Targets:

• Agri-MSMEs supported: 673

• Beneficiaries skilled and mentored: 457

• Job opportunities created and projected: Over 1 050

 • City’s investment: R32 million.

Support includes technical and managerial training, business planning, financial management, and sustainable farming practices.

NEW VENTURE CREATION LEARNERSHIP

In partnership with the Food and Beverages Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority, the Municipality secured R6.2 million in 2024 and 2025 to train 100 unemployed youth and women on a National Qualifications Framework Level 4 New Venture Creation Learnership in Business Management Skills.

• Duration: 12 months
• Beneficiaries: 100
• Monthly stipend: R3 000 per beneficiary
• City’s investment: R6.2 million
• Additional equipment and infrastructure funding: R12 million from the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency.
• Total programme value unlocked: R18.2 million.

The programme enabled 100 beneficiaries to establish and strengthen mainly township-based enterprises.

TOTAL VERIFIED IMPACT (2021-2025)

• Infrastructure investment: Over R20 million
• Farmer Skills and Enterprise Development Programme investment: R32 million
• New Venture Creation total value unlocked: R18.2 million
• Total Agri-MSMEs supported: 662
• Beneficiaries skilled and mentored: 457
• Jobs created and facilitated: Over 1 000.

Collectively, these interventions demonstrate measurable impact in enterprise growth, job creation, and food security within eThekwini.

INKOSI ALBERT LUTHULI INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE (DURBAN ICC)

DURBAN ICC’S STORY OF ONGOING SUCCESS

THE story of the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, referred to as the Durban ICC, is one of success. Highlighting this success is the City’s five-year service delivery milestones campaign being rolled out under the theme: Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity. It looks at service delivery gains made from 2021 to 2026.

The Durban ICC has continually affirmed its leadership in governance and operational excellence by securing its 11th consecutive clean audit from the Auditor General of South Africa for the 2024/25 financial year. This clean audit confirms that the Centre’s financial statements are free from material misstatements and that there were no compliance findings, and no fruitless, wasteful, or unauthorised expenditure recorded. The result reinforces the organisation’s strong ethical culture and disciplined financial management. 

The Durban ICC Chief Executive Officer Lindiwe Rakharebe praised the achievement as a testament to the organisation’s unwavering commitment to accountability and responsible stewardship of public resources. The Centre continues to deliver substantial economic benefits. An independent economic impact assessment reported that the Durban ICC contributed over R7 billion to South Africa’s GDP in the past financial year and supported 12 464 annualised jobs through its operations and event hosting activities. These results demonstrate its vital role as a catalyst for regional and national economic growth.

 The clean audit comes during a year marked by several high-profile accolades. The Durban ICC received the Future of HR Award for Employer of Choice: Public Sector Organisations, recognising its progressive, people-centred leadership and commitment to employee wellbeing, development, and transformation. Internationally, the centre retained its title as Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre at the World Travel Awards—its 20th win—cementing its reputation as a world-class business events destination. The Durban ICC also achieved Green Star certification, affirming its dedication to environmental sustainability and responsible operations. In another landmark development, the centre was awarded a World Trade Centre licence, officially establishing the World Trade Centre Durban. This positions Durban within a global network of major trade and investment hubs. It continues to host a wide range of local and international events across the meetings, exhibitions, entertainment and trade sectors.

DID YOU KNOW

·      The Durban ICC has been voted ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre’ by the World Travel Awards 20 times in the past 27 years.

·      The Durban ICC is Africa’s largest convention centre.

·      The Durban ICC was South Africa’s first international convention centre built, making it the most experienced.

·      The Durban ICC is the host venue of Africa’s Travel Indaba, which is Africa’s biggest travel and tourism show.

·      With all its internal doors open, the Durban ICC is big enough to park four Boeing 747s nose to tail.

EThekwini Transport Authority

ETHEKWINI TRANSPORT AUTHORITY: FIVE YEARS OF PROGRESS IN BUILDING A SMARTER, SAFER, AND MORE CONNECTED TRANSPORT NETWORK

OVER the past five years, the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) has made significant strides in transforming the City’s transport landscape through strategic infrastructure investment, innovation, safety interventions, and progressive mobility planning. Highlighting these gains is the City’s Five-Year Service Delivery Milestones campaign being rolled out under the theme: Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity.

These milestones made by ETA reflect the City’s commitment to building an integrated, efficient, safe, and sustainable transport system that supports economic growth, urban regeneration, and improved quality of life for all residents.

 ADVANCING TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT

A key focus area has been the implementation of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), which seeks to create connected, accessible urban spaces centred around public transport corridors.

The pilot that is being implemented in Pinetown will reshape how people live, work, and move by encouraging mixed-use development, reducing travel distances, and improving access to public transport services.

This initiative has allowed the City to assess practical interventions, gather operational insights, and refine strategies that can be replicated across other strategic transport nodes in eThekwini.

SUPPORTING INNER CITY REGENERATION 

Transport infrastructure continues to play a vital role in supporting the regeneration of Durban’s inner city. Strategic upgrades to road networks, pedestrian facilities, public transport systems, and traffic management have contributed to improving accessibility, supporting commercial activity, and creating a more functional urban environment.

REDESIGNING PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR THE FUTURE 

Over the past five years, significant work has gone into redesigning public transport systems to improve efficiency, reliability, and user experience. This includes route planning improvements and operational integration efforts as part of the broader Integrated Public Transport Network (IPTN), and the development of systems such as closed-circuit television cameras on buses aimed at creating a more seamless public transport network for commuters.

LAUNCH OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT CALL CENTRE

As part of its sustainability agenda, discussions and plans have reached an advanced stage for the City to shift toward the electrification of public transport. This milestone supports environmental objectives by reducing emissions, lowering operational costs over time, and positioning eThekwini to embrace cleaner mobility solutions.

ELECTRIFICATION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT

As part of its sustainability agenda, discussions and plans have reached an advanced stage for the City to shift toward the electrification of public transport. This milestone supports environmental objectives by reducing emissions, lowering operational costs over time, and positioning eThekwini to embrace cleaner mobility solutions.

SHEPSTONE ROAD CONVERSION 

The successful conversion of Shepstone Road marks another important infrastructure milestone. This intervention has improved traffic flow, enhanced road safety, and strengthened network efficiency within and around the Point precinct.

SHAPING THE FUTURE THROUGH CIPT 2024–2029 

The development of the Comprehensive Integrated Public Transport (CIPT) Plan 2024–2029 sets a clear strategic direction for the next phase of transport transformation. The plan outlines key priorities aimed at improving public transport accessibility, strengthening modal integration, and responding to evolving mobility needs across the City. 

SAFER ROADS THROUGH GUARDRAIL AND SPEED HUMP IMPLEMENTATION 

Road safety remains a core priority. The implementation of guardrails and speed humps across strategic locations has helped reduce risks for both motorists and pedestrians, contributing to safer road environments, particularly in high-risk areas. During the past two financial years, the City has implemented approximately 130 traffic calming projects across multiple wards, with an estimated investment of R12 million. The projects are aimed at reducing speeding, improving pedestrian protection, and enhancing safety in residential areas, school zones and other high-risk locations.