Deputy President Paul Mashatile praised the Presidential eThekwini Working Group for its work on service delivery and economic growth in Durban, according to SAnews.
Mashatile met the group on Friday at the eThekwini City Hall in KwaZulu-Natal. The group gave him an update on its progress, its problems and its plans for phase two.
“[We must build] on this momentum, strengthen collaboration and accelerate implementation so that the Presidential eThekwini Working Group leaves a legacy of investment, growth, job creation and improved quality of life for the people of eThekwini and the province at large,” Mashatile said.
According to SAnews, the group’s latest Co-Chairs Report said the city’s finances have become more stable. The report also said better governance has led to improved compliance and accountability.
The report pointed to progress in cutting water losses and in promoting tourism. It also listed investment projects worth more than R32 billion that are moving forward, the government said.
Mashatile said he was pleased with how priority projects were going. He looked at projects that are on track, projects that are delayed and those that need higher level help.
The working group raised safety concerns in Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu, known as the PINK areas. It welcomed the President’s decision to send the South African National Defence Force to deal with recent unrest in the province. The group asked for a similar step in the PINK areas.
Mashatile said a safe, clean and well run city centre would show that eThekwini is open for business. He said this would support growth that benefits all residents.
Working group Co-Chair Mike Mabuyakhulu said the joint work of all spheres of government and social partners is starting to show real results.
“We are seeing meaningful progress in key areas such as infrastructure development, transport, investment attraction and service delivery,” Mabuyakhulu said.
“While challenges remain, our focus is on accelerating delivery and ensuring that residents and businesses experience the benefits of these interventions,” he added.
The group was set up in 2024 after President Cyril Ramaphosa met the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They discussed the city’s biggest problems. These included water cuts, old infrastructure, falling tourism, crime and slow port operations.
Mashatile also chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Service Delivery. The government said the working group’s efforts add to the work of that committee.
For the next phase, the group plans to find funding for the uMlazi Canal upgrade. It also wants to speed up rail recovery, reduce water lost before it is billed and improve coordination, according to SAnews.
Mabuyakhulu said the group will soon hold stakeholder accountability sessions through its communication and marketing workstream. He said the aim is to keep residents informed about the group’s progress.
Source: this article is based on reporting by SAnews.gov.za. Image: GCIS via SAnews.gov.za. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.