PEWG WORKSTREAM 8 ADVANCES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH COLLABORATIVE ACTION
ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15 OCTOBER 2026
The Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG) Workstream 8 continues to make steady progress in advancing key economic development initiatives through its four Focus Intervention Teams (FITs), reflecting the commitment of government, business, and strategic partners to driving investment, growth, and job creation in eThekwini.
Established to address critical economic challenges and unlock opportunities for development, Workstream 8 has focused on strengthening partnerships, improving coordination, and advancing practical solutions across priority intervention areas.
Progress Across the Four Focus Intervention Teams
FIT 1: Private Sector Partnerships in Infrastructure has advanced a public-private partnership framework, secured business support for a Partnership Steering Committee, and established the Infrastructure Project Preparation and Partnerships Office (IPPPO), which has identified 21 projects for development and investment.
FIT 2: Manufacturing and Industrial Zones has progressed planning for industrial growth corridors, advanced work on strategic development sites, and strengthened collaboration on Special Economic Zones, Urban Improvement Precincts, and Special Rating Areas.
FIT 3: Development Planning and Charges has improved coordination through enhanced reporting and action tracking while focusing on development charges, infrastructure planning, case management, and regulatory improvements to support investment.
FIT 4: Problem Buildings has conducted joint inspections of priority sites and developed a comprehensive dashboard to improve oversight and guide interventions for problematic and under-utilised buildings.
Addressing Challenges and Unlocking Delivery
While important progress has been achieved, challenges remain, including governance processes, infrastructure constraints, stakeholder participation, and the implementation of interventions relating to problem buildings.
To address these challenges, partners have committed to operationalising key governance structures, accelerating project implementation, resolving infrastructure bottlenecks, strengthening intergovernmental coordination, and improving accountability through clear deliverables and reporting mechanisms.
Chairperson of PeWG Workstream 8 and the city’s Executive Director for Operations Management Department, Lindo Mkhize, said: "Workstream 8 has built a strong foundation for collaboration between the public and private sectors. We have seen encouraging progress across all four Focus Intervention Teams, from advancing strategic partnerships for infrastructure delivery to addressing long-standing challenges related to industrial development, development planning, and problem buildings. The commitment shown by all partners gives us confidence that we can overcome the remaining obstacles and create an environment that attracts investment, supports business growth, and drives inclusive economic development across eThekwini."
Co-Chair of the KwaZulu-Natal Growth Coalition, Andrzej Kielpiela, said: "As partners, we remain committed to working together to unblock key challenges, accelerate implementation, and unlock opportunities that will strengthen Durban's competitiveness, attract investment, and create sustainable jobs. The city needs to consider allocating more budgets to areas that matter most, plan ahead to ensure that infrastructure is available in key development nodes, and ensure that development and property rates are revised to ensure Durban’s investment climate is more competitive."
The continued participation of government departments, organised business, and strategic partners reflects a shared commitment to building a more competitive, investment-ready, and resilient eThekwini economy. Through focused interventions and strong partnerships, Workstream 8 is creating a platform for sustainable economic growth and long-term job creation.
Issued by the eThekwini Municipality's Communications and Marketing Directorate.
