eThekwini Municipality’s City Manager, Musa Mbhele, has endorsed the newly launched street ambassador program as a strategic move to improve safety, cleanliness, and economic vitality in Durban’s inner city.
The initiative, part of the city’s broader urban regeneration plan, sees the appointment of private contractor Ensure Ubuntu to deploy ambassadors alongside metro police. The program includes armed patrols and a dedicated command centre to ensure more efficient coordination.
Speaking during a briefing with metro police officers and street ambassadors on Thursday, Mbhele described the initiative as a “game changer” for Durban. “A lot has been achieved, but some elements have not gone quite as optimally as intended,” he noted.
He emphasized that a truly caring city is one free of crime, where residents are supported socially, economically, and in health-related aspects of life. “A caring city is one where every resident can maximise their potential for human development,” Mbhele said.
He also addressed the tensions between formal and informal trading sectors, calling for a balance that ensures fair competition. “Legal informal trade must coexist with formal businesses without undermining those who pay taxes and contribute to municipal revenue,” he stressed. “When tax-paying businesses struggle due to unregulated trading, the city itself loses the ability to serve its people effectively.”
The street ambassador program is expected to enhance both public safety and urban order, fostering a more vibrant and inclusive city environment.