ENSURE UBUNTU ADVANCING SAFETY IN DURBAN’S INNER CITY

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH

A strategic partnership between Ensure Ubuntu and eThekwini Municipality is delivering tangible improvements in safety, cleanliness, and social upliftment in Durban’s inner city.

Through a co-ordinated, multi-faceted approach, the initiative is supporting the City’s vision of a revitalised urban hub that is inclusive, secure, and economically vibrant.

Ensure Ubuntu is proving to be a force to be reckoned with as they work to improve safety in the inner city.

Central to this progress is a strong focus on visible safety and proactive intervention.

Ensure Ubuntu’s deployment of trained street ambassadors, supported by structured operational teams, has enhanced on-the-ground presence in key inner-city precincts.

This visibility plays a critical role in deterring criminal activity, while also strengthening relationships between communities and safety structures.

“There has been a 28 percent reduction in visible serious crime, and 19 percent faster response times resulting in a lower crime rate in the Durban Central Business District.

In the past year, 101 incidents were responded to, and more than 259 arrests were made,” said Kyle Connolly, Chief Executive Officer of Ensure Ubuntu.

Through ongoing clean-up campaigns and co-ordinated maintenance efforts, public spaces are being restored, reducing conditions that enable crime, creating safer environments for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Connolly said this success is built on their close partnership with the South Africa Police Service, the Metro Police, and Municipal departments.

“We work hand-in-hand every day, supporting each other through integrated operations, rapid response, and shared intelligence to deliver real impact on the ground,” he said.

In the last year, Ensure Ubuntu teams collected approximately 416 tons of waste collected, and collected more than 90 000 waste bags, through daily street cleaning, clearing of illegal dumping, and general infrastructure management.

The partnership also recognises the importance of addressing the social drivers of crime.

Proactive interventions assist vulnerable communities through food support, medical assistance, and referrals to shelters and social services. Collaboration remains at the heart of this success.

Nkululeko Mkhize, from the City's Economic Development Directorate, said: “EThekwini Municipality welcomes the positive impact of the Ensure Ubuntu partnership in strengthening safety, improving urban management, and supporting vulnerable communities in Durban’s inner city.

This collaborative approach is not only enhancing safety and cleanliness but is also contributing to economic revitalisation by creating a more attractive and secure environment for investment, trade, and small business growth.

The City remains committed to sustaining and scaling such initiatives to drive long-term urban renewal, economic vitality, and inclusive growth.”

Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate.