eThekwini Municipality, Durban — Economic Development and Planning Committee Decisions
The following decisions were taken at the Economic Development and Planning Committee (ECOD) meeting held recently. These recommendations are still subject to final approval by Full Council.
City continues to support green economy initiatives
In support of the green economy, the City of Durban continues its partnership with USE-IT, an initiative within the eThekwini Waste Material Recovery Industry Development Cluster. USE-IT drives innovation in the recycling and waste beneficiation sectors and has launched the flagship Hammarsdale Waste Beneficiation Centre, which is a multipurpose facility supporting green start-ups and township industrial development.
In collaboration with the Hammarsdale Waste Beneficiation Centre, USE-IT recently trained township entrepreneurs to make building blocks using recycled glass, with future plans to expand into plastic waste solutions.
SMME empowerment workshops rolled out
The Economic Development Directorate conducted 29 Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) empowerment workshops across the City, reaching 2 529 participants. These workshops equip small businesses with essential tools in compliance, finance, and market access, and are delivered in collaboration with both internal directorates and external stakeholders, including the South African Revenue Service, the National Youth Development Agency, and the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Strategic land use in eThekwini / Durban
The Clairwood area is a 248-hectare suburb that is strategically located within the Back of Port Precinct of Durban. The committee discussed a scheme amendment to create a 174-hectare precinct that will balance logistics and mixed-use development, including supporting social, cultural, and heritage land use. This proposal is supported by a master plan for Clairwood. The plan will support the municipality’s role as a regional economic gateway and align with the City’s 2030 spatial vision.
It is important to emphasise that this amendment is not a rezoning. Schools, heritage sites, and cultural centres will be preserved and respected throughout the implementation of the scheme. The purpose of the amendment is to guide future development of the area, at the same time providing certainty to residents, businesses, and the municipality. This will help bring greater structure, clarity, and long-term sustainability of the area in its role as it relates to Durban as a port city.
Progress made to address audit findings
The Development Planning, Environment, Management and Municipal Entities Portfolio Committee released its Quarter 4 Audit Log Monitoring Report for the 2024/25 financial year, detailing the status of significant internal and external audit findings as of 30 June 2025.
In the Municipal Planning Department, 26 percent (5 out of 19) of internal audit findings were resolved by the end of June 2025, compared to 33 percent (3 out of 9) at the end of March. Ten new issues were raised and two resolved in the quarter. One Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) finding was also successfully addressed by management during this period.
Regarding Municipal entities, the Durban Marine Theme Park (uShaka Marine World) showed progress, resolving 69 percent (37 out of 54) audit issues by June 2025 up from 47 percent (24 out of 51) in March. Of the four AGSA findings raised in 2023/24, three have been resolved.
The Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre similarly showed an improvement, resolving 62 percent (36 out of 58) audit findings by June 2025, up from 57 percent in February.
Investing in Durban
The City of Durban (eThekwini Municipality) is South Africa’s second largest industrial region.
Invest Durban act as a partnership between the Metro City Council and the private business sector, offering a free investor advisory service, plus key promotion, facilitation, aftercare services between all investment stakeholders.
Organizations seeking more information are invited to start a conversation with the Invest Durban team; please send a brief introduction to your business objectives, and the team will get back to you!
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