ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
14 July 2023

EThekwini Municipality Council has approved a significant partnership with the National Department of Cooperative Governance to host the important 2023 BRICS Urbanisation Summit.

This decision, taken on July 13, 2023 at the sitting of the Full Council under the chairmanship of Acting Speaker Councillor Thembo Ntuli, sets the stage for an impactful and knowledge-sharing event. The summit is themed "Urban Resilience for Sustainable Urban Development" and will delve into the critical realm of urban planning and its global impact on cities.

The chosen theme is particularly relevant in light of the ongoing global urbanisation phenomenon, with an increasing number of individuals flocking to cities worldwide. One of the noteworthy aspects of the 2023 urbanisation forum is its alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a universal call to action adopted in 2015. Specifically, the forum contributes to Goal 11, which focuses on Sustainable Cities and Communities, as well as Goal 17, centred on Partnerships for the Goals. By addressing key urban development issues, the forum aims to explore how cities worldwide are strengthening their resilience.

As part of the summit, attendees will have the opportunity to embark on a site visit hosted by the City, showcasing its urban resilience initiatives and sharing best practice. This hands-on experience will allow participants to witness first-hand the progress being made in building resilience within the City.

Co-hosting the BRICS Urbanisation Summit provides a platform for the City to highlight its own efforts in building resilience amid compounding challenges. It also facilitates strategic partnerships to support the implementation of the municipality's resilience-building programs. Furthermore, the summit offers an ideal opportunity to exchange promising practices in disaster preparedness and responsiveness, aligning with the overarching theme of human security within the 2023 sustainable development agenda.

In addition to the partnership for the BRICS Urbanisation Summit, Council has also approved grant funding for two prominent entities in the City. The Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) and uShaka Marine World, a pioneering establishment committed to building an inclusive economy, will receive financial support from the approved 2023/2024 budget. The allocated funds amount to R15,000,000.00 for various capital projects at the Durban ICC, including the replacement of a leaking roof and the procurement of essential equipment. 

For uShaka an amount of R129,000,000 has been approved. These funds will be disbursed to support the work undertaken by the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), uShaka Operations, capital projects, and repairs and maintenance.
In a further significant decision, Council has extended the 2023/24 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). This extension underlines the City's unwavering commitment to generating employment opportunities, reducing poverty, and securing a better future for historically disadvantaged individuals. Presently, the EPWP program supports 4,237 participants through Incentive Grant (IG) funded projects. The success of this program, which aligns with the City's Integrated Development Plan (IDP), is reinforced by various measures in place.

Recognizing its role as a substantial contributor to national poverty and unemployment reduction initiatives, the municipality has set a target of creating 83,893 work opportunities during the current administration.
During the meeting, the Acting Speaker directing DA Councillor Andre Beetge to leave the proceedings in accordance with Rule of Order 15(1) (h).

ENDS

Issued by the eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit.