The Presidential eThekwini Working Group conducted a series of inspections across Durban on Thursday, assessing progress on several major upgrade and maintenance projects aimed at improving service delivery and boosting investment in the metro.
Established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the working group is tasked with identifying and addressing infrastructure and service delivery challenges in the city to make eThekwini more attractive to investors and tourists alike.
The inspection tour began at Moses Mabhida Stadium, part of the city’s sports precinct currently undergoing long-overdue rehabilitation. The stadium has not received significant maintenance since it first opened ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
A R280-million rehabilitation project was announced in October last year, focusing on key structural issues such as concrete deterioration, slab damage, and steel corrosion. The upgrades will also restore popular attractions including the SkyCar, viewing platform, and adventure walk all of which have been closed since 2018.
The inspection team, which includes representatives from the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is also visiting various project sites in the Durban CBD.
Later in the day, the delegation will assess progress on the Southern Aqueduct construction and the Umlazi Canal Expansion Project both regarded as vital to the city’s long-term water security and infrastructure resilience.