eThekwini Municipality
AFRICA'S MOST CARING AND LIVEABLE CITY
Durban has becaome known around the world as a major African city. The name Durban, which strictly speaking relates to the City of Durban, has come to be associated more broadly with the local government area officially known as the eThekwini Municipality. The eThekwini Municipality Area consists of 2297km2, of which 36% is rural and a further 29% is peri-urban. The municipal area stretches from Umkomaas in the south, including some tribal area in Umbumbulu, to Tongaat in the north, moving inland to Ndwedwe, and ends at Cato Ridge in the west.
The city has a number of challenges and social needs such as providing equitable access to water, sanitation, energy and transport. While significant progress has been made in all areas, there is still some distance to go towards addressing these many challenges. The city's vision is that "By 2020, eThekwini Municipality will be Africa's most caring and liveable city." To realise this vision, there are basic elements that all citizens, the business community and visitors must have:
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Ease of movement in the city
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A safe environment in all parts of the municipal area
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Access to economic opportunities
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Resources to afford what the city offers
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A clean and green city
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Homely neighbourhoods
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Access to services, in particular municipal, health and education services
Continued economic growth and the steady improvement of living standards, access to reliable transport and better working conditions in the city will ensure that Durban's economy grows. It is imperative to create a city which is more accessible and where people can happily live, work and play. In addition, having work and home closer together with better transport will lower the cost of living as well as stimulate the local economy. More efficient transport systems would enable business operations to stay open for longer hours and provide shifts to their work forces, boosting both employment opportunities and profits. eThekwini also aims at being a smart city. The fibre optics cable network that has been established enables broadband connectivity between government department, schools and businesses which allows better communication and reduces the cost of doing business. An aim of the network is to see that every young person, irrespective of location, has access to the internet.
The eThekwini Municipality has three main thrusts in order to grow the economy and provide much needed employment opportunities, these are:
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Ports and logistics
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Manufacturing
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Tourism and eventing