Mayor hosts successful post-budget speech breakfast with business stakeholders
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Date: 2025-06-04 16:46:24

Mayor hosts successful post-budget speech breakfast with business stakeholders

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4 JUNE 2025
 
*MAYOR HOSTS SUCCESSFUL POST-BUDGET SPEECH BREAKFAST WITH BUSINESS STAKEHOLDERS*
 
EThekwini Municipality values its relationships with stakeholders, especially the business sector, organised labour, and civil society. After the approval of the City’s R70.9 billion 2025/26 budget last week, eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba held a post-budget speech meeting today, 4 June at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre to highlight pertinent aspects of the budget and allow stakeholders to have their say once again.
 
Mayor Xaba spoke about the reduction in tariff increases as this was something that concerned residents, business, and civil society during the budget consultation process. He also highlighted the focus of the budget which is the replacement and rehabilitation of infrastructure.
He said this will ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
“We have increased our capital budget to 10.3% which is R7.3 billion and in line with the National Treasury norm to expand, replace, and upgrade our infrastructure.”
 
He added that a further 7% of the operating budget has been allocated for repairs and maintenance of assets.
Mayor Xaba said the Water Turnaround Strategy will enhance the financial sustainability of water services and will improve the efficiency of water and sanitation services to meet the growing demand placed on the City.
 
Approximately R600 million will be allocated towards key economic nodes for catalytic projects. This will create 300 000 jobs and will unlock projects worth R217 billion. The Inner City Regeneration Programme will continue to respond to issues like public safety, homelessness, eradication of problem buildings, upgrading of public realms, patching of potholes, and ensuring streetlights are operational.
 
Mayor Xaba added that the increasing of law enforcement personnel is a key component of the programme with the City clamping down on illegal trade and enforcing building by-laws.
 
Attendees welcomed the budget breakdown; with many stakeholders saying they see improvements in the City and are looking forward to the upcoming developments. Others raised issues on clinics, crime and safety, and possible partnerships with the religious sector.
 
EThekwini City Manager Musa Mbhele said the green light given by National Treasury for the budget augurs well for the City that is on an upward trajectory, despite reeling from many natural disasters.
“We are proud of our budget, and we are happy that our stakeholders are supportive of this journey,” he said.
 
ENDS
 
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communications and Marketing Directorate