DURBAN ICC AFFIRMS GOVERNANCE EXCELLENCE WITH 11th CLEAN AUDIT 12th February 2026 - For immediate release
- Dylan Naidoo
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
By: Durban ICC
Durban, South Africa – The Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) has once again demonstrated exemplary standards of governance, accountability and operational excellence, having achieved its eleventh clean audit from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The clean audit outcome confirms that the Durban ICC’s financial statements are free from material misstatements, with no findings relating to compliance or internal controls, and notably, no fruitless, wasteful or unauthorised expenditure recorded during the reporting period. This result reflects the organisation’s disciplined financial management and strong ethical culture.
Commenting on the achievement, Ms Lindiwe Rakharebe, Chief Executive Officer of the Durban ICC, said the outcome speaks to the organisation’s sustained commitment to responsible stewardship of public resources. “Our clean audit record is not an end in itself. It is a foundation that allows us to innovate, grow sustainably and continue serving as a catalyst for economic development, transformation and global engagement for Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa.”
Beyond governance excellence, the Durban ICC continues to make a substantial contribution to South Africa’s economy. According to an independent economic impact assessment, the Centre contributed in excess of R7 billion to South Africa’s GDP during the past financial year, while 12,464 annualised jobs were created and/or sustained as a direct result of the Durban ICC’s activities. These outcomes underscore the Centre’s role as a key economic catalyst for KwaZulu-Natal and the broader national economy.
The Centre’s Chief Financial Officer, Melanie Rambally, noted, “An eleventh clean audit is a significant milestone that reflects the dedication, professionalism and integrity of our Board, management and employees. It is a clear affirmation that strong governance and accountability are deeply embedded in how the Durban ICC operates as we continue to deliver meaningful value to our city, province and country.”
The Durban ICC’s Board Chairperson, Dr Bophela, emphasised the importance of governance stability in enabling the organisation to fulfil its strategic mandate, commenting, “Consistent clean audit outcomes provide assurance to our shareholder, stakeholders and the public that the Durban ICC is governed with diligence and foresight. This strong governance foundation enables the organisation to pursue strategic growth, attract global events and continue delivering socio-economic benefits at scale.”
The clean audit achievement coincides with a period of significant recognition and accolades for the Durban ICC, both locally and internationally. During the year under review, the Centre was honoured with the Future of HR Award for Employer of Choice: Public Sector Organisations, recognising outstanding leadership, people-centred practices and excellence in human resource management. This accolade reinforces the Durban ICC’s standing as a progressive employer committed to employee wellbeing, development and transformation.
The Centre also retained its position as Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre at the World Travel Awards, a prestigious international benchmark that acknowledges excellence. across the global travel and tourism industry. This year marked the 20th time that the Durban ICC was recognised with this accolade, reflecting its world-class facilities, service excellence and its contribution to positioning Durban and KwaZulu-Natal as a leading business events destination.
Further strengthening its global standing, the Durban ICC achieved Green Star certification, affirming its leadership in environmental sustainability and responsible operations. In addition, the Centre successfully secured the retention of Africa’s Travel Indaba for a further five years, ensuring that the continent’s premier tourism trade show remains hosted in Durban, with significant long-term benefits for the regional economy.
In a landmark development, the Durban ICC was also awarded a World Trade Centre (WTC) licence, formally designating the Centre as the home of World Trade Centre Durban. This milestone positions Durban as part of a globally connected network of cities focused on trade, investment and international business collaboration, further enhancing the city and province’s attractiveness to high-impact global events.
Throughout the year, the Durban ICC hosted a diverse portfolio of high-impact local, continental and international events spanning the meetings, exhibitions, entertainment and trade sectors. These included major conferences, exhibitions, government summits, cultural showcases and live entertainment events that collectively reinforced Durban’s standing as a leading destination for business and leisure tourism.
Looking ahead, the Centre’s forward events calendar remains robust, with a strong pipeline of national and international conferences, exhibitions, trade events and cultural performances confirmed for the coming year. This positive outlook reflects continued market confidence in the Durban ICC’s world-class infrastructure, service excellence and strategic positioning.
As a wholly owned municipal entity of the eThekwini Municipality, the Durban ICC remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance while driving inclusive economic growth, job creation and destination competitiveness.
