eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba has reaffirmed the city’s commitment to working closely with the national Department of Transport and its entities to upgrade transport infrastructure and strengthen Durban’s position as a vibrant transport and logistics hub.
The commitment follows a two-day oversight visit by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport, which assessed several major infrastructure and public transport projects across the city.
During the visit, the committee commended progress made by the municipality in implementing the Integrated Public Transport Network, GO! Durban, while also raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the programme as the Public Transport Network Grant is wound down.
Xaba led a joint delegation comprising members of the Portfolio Committee on Transport, officials from the national Department of Transport and the KwaZulu Natal Department of Transport on a site inspection of the GO! Durban C3 route.
The oversight programme began at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre before moving to Pinecrest Mall, where the delegation inspected the C3 route operating between Pinetown and Bridge City.
Portfolio Committee Chairperson Donald Selamolela welcomed the engagement, saying the visit provided valuable insight into both the progress achieved and the challenges faced in delivering a safe, reliable, and integrated public transport system.
Addressing the debriefing session, Xaba thanked the committee for the oversight visit, noting that it offered a clearer understanding of the C3 route, and the supporting infrastructure required to sustain it.
He said the city’s infrastructure drive is supported by a strengthening economic trajectory, pointing to the University of KwaZulu Natal’s Business Confidence Index, which showed eThekwini’s score rising sharply from 52.12 points in the third quarter of 2025 to 63.38 points in the fourth quarter.
“This improvement reflects growing optimism among businesspeople about both the current and future economic climate in Durban. This vote of confidence from the business sector compels us to redouble our efforts to upgrade infrastructure and create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive,” Xaba said.
He added that the municipality continues to work closely with the Department of Transport, its entities, and the private sector to upgrade transport infrastructure and reinforce eThekwini’s standing as a key logistics gateway.
As part of broader efforts to improve freight efficiency, the city is collaborating with Transnet to decongest and improve operations at the Port of Durban. Engagements have also taken place with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa to explore strategies for upgrading and modernising passenger rail infrastructure.
Xaba said partnerships with the private sector and Transnet Freight Rail Infrastructure Manager are progressing rapidly, with a focus on bold initiatives aimed at shifting a significant portion of freight from road to rail.
“A few months ago, we unveiled the R10 billion Insimbi Ridge Development in Cato Ridge, which forms part of our broader programme to establish an inland port and decongest the harbour. Furthermore, SANRAL is undertaking major projects within the city to upgrade the N2 and N3 transport corridors,” Xaba said.