South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has embarked on a two-day working visit to KwaZulu-Natal, amid rising tensions in Durban. The visit comes after sporadic looting of small businesses, anti-immigration protests, and the killing of a foreign national in the city's central business district last week. Ramaphosa addressed the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry's 170th anniversary gala dinner, where he emphasized the need for unity and warned against those exploiting public sentiment around illegal migration to stir up communities.
Ramaphosa stated that the government would not be intimidated and would take necessary measures to maintain its authority. He authorized the deployment of the South African National Defence Force in the province until the end of November. The President also mentioned that an investigation is underway into the killing of a man in the Durban CBD last week. He added that while the incidents have been isolated, the government is taking no chances to prevent further escalation.
During his visit, Ramaphosa engaged with residents in eMagabheni, south of Durban, where he heard about the daily struggles with water shortages. As ANC president on the campaign trail ahead of the November 4 local government elections, he went door-to-door in ward 99, promising to resolve the long-running water crisis. The President also celebrated the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the oldest and largest metropolitan chamber on the continent, with 170 years of resilience.
Ramaphosa established the Presidential eThekwini Working Group after listening to local businesses that raised concerns about the state of the city. He reported that the intervention has already shown positive results, including improved municipal utility collections, reduced non-revenue water figures, and increased spending on repairs and maintenance. The police are also improving visible policing in priority areas through Operation Shanela.
The President reflected on the progress made in Durban, citing a record R124.5 billion in investment commitments at the recent KZN Investment Conference and a tourism rebound with 1.2 million visitors last festive season. Durban ranked 14th in Time Out's Best Places to Travel in 2026, and eThekwini recorded the lowest unemployment rate of the eight metros, with employment at 1.29 million, up 90,000 year on year.
Ramaphosa emphasized that Durban remains KwaZulu-Natal's economic heart and needs capable, visionary leadership to build on gains made after an extremely difficult period. He urged the business audience to vote for progress and recovery in the November 4 polls. The President highlighted the importance of unity and encouraged the community to work together to overcome challenges.
Ramaphosa's visit to Durban aimed to address the city's challenges and promote unity and economic growth. He acknowledged the city's resilience and potential, citing its ranking as one of the best places to travel in 2026. The President's message of hope and progress resonated with the business community, who are eager to work with the government to overcome the city's challenges and achieve economic growth.
Key points
- President Ramaphosa deployed the South African National Defence Force in KwaZulu-Natal until the end of November to maintain order.
- The President established the Presidential eThekwini Working Group to address local businesses' concerns and improve the city's state.
- Ramaphosa encouraged capable, visionary leadership to build on Durban's progress and achieve economic growth.
