Forward Durban

Forward Durban The economic landscape in eThekwini has shifted & is undergoing significant transformations that impact business.

Join us to keep informed about the opportunities & support available for your business & join the movement to the narrative.

04/09/2026

Exciting news!

We are hosting a Business Thanksgiving and Prayer Meeting for business for the rest of 2026.

Not to be missed. Can you afford not to ensure that the favour of God is on your business and the economy for the remainder of the year?
Looking forward to an important time of connecting in unity for your business, sector and the economy.

Invite all business owners, leaders and people - all welcome!

Date: 10 Sept 2026
Time: 13h00 for 13h30 start until 15h30
Venue: Open Skies Church, Kloof
RSVP: Please register by completing the Google Form by 8 Sept 2026 - https://forms.gle/YXWg2kfr5uWWRT3FA.

No cost/charge 😊 No edible refreshments. We will have a coffee/tea station available.

See you for a powerful time together!

Infrastructure recovery is a critical part of rebuilding confidence in Durban.Recent reporting notes that eThekwini is m...
04/09/2026

Infrastructure recovery is a critical part of rebuilding confidence in Durban.

Recent reporting notes that eThekwini is making progress on sewer rehabilitation and sanitation recovery, with approximately 21 sewer rehabilitation projects implemented and more than R141 million spent since 2023 as part of flood recovery efforts.

This kind of work is not always glamorous, but it is essential.

Sanitation infrastructure affects public health, communities, business confidence, tourism, beaches, investment and the overall functioning of the city.

For Durban to move forward, infrastructure repair and preventative maintenance must remain a priority — not only when things break, but as part of a long-term resilience strategy.

Changing the narrative means recognising the hard infrastructure work that helps restore trust, protect communities and strengthen the city’s foundation.

Source:
https://witness.co.za/news/2026/08/19/ethekwini-accelerates-sewer-repairs-as-city-works-to-restore-sanitation-network/

04/09/2026

A meaningful update from the Forward Durban Health & Wellness Sector Action Team.

On 7 August 2026, in collaboration with Nation Changers, One Health and Forward Durban, the Health & Wellness Sector supported a preventative oral hygiene programme at Poshane Primary School in Embo, KwaZulu-Natal.

The programme focused on helping young learners understand the importance of oral health, encouraging healthier choices, building positive habits and shifting perceptions around preventative dental care.

These are the kinds of community-based interventions that can make a lasting difference — not only by responding to health needs, but by helping children understand how everyday choices can support long-term well-being.

Changing the narrative means showing up early, educating with care and working together to support healthier communities.

Join the Finance & Investment Sector Action TeamDurban’s growth needs strong financial networks, investment confidence a...
03/09/2026

Join the Finance & Investment Sector Action Team

Durban’s growth needs strong financial networks, investment confidence and access to capital.

The Forward Durban Finance & Investment Sector Action Team brings together investors, financiers, business leaders and stakeholders who want to help unlock opportunity and support sustainable economic growth across Durban and KZN.

Interested in being part of the conversation?

Join the Finance & Investment WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HfcQw3A09FsCdYBBfGMXvG

Small businesses need more than encouragement. They need practical support, fewer barriers and better access to resource...
03/09/2026

Small businesses need more than encouragement. They need practical support, fewer barriers and better access to resources that help them grow.

A recent eThekwini and Department of Small Business Development initiative focused on cutting red tape and unlocking opportunities for MSMEs, including machinery support for 31 MSME beneficiaries and funding support for local cooperatives.

This is the kind of practical intervention that can make a real difference.

When small businesses are supported with equipment, compliance guidance, operational tools and clearer pathways, they are better positioned to create jobs, serve communities and strengthen the local economy.

For Durban, MSME growth is not a side issue. It is central to inclusive economic development.

Changing the narrative means supporting the people who are building businesses from the ground up.

Source:
https://economic.durban.gov.za/press-statement/ethekwini-and-small-business-development-join-forces-to-cut-red-tape-and-unlock-opportunities-for-msmes

What will matter most for brands in 2026?AI is changing how people discover businesses. Social media is increasingly bec...
02/09/2026

What will matter most for brands in 2026?

AI is changing how people discover businesses. Social media is increasingly becoming a search engine. Influence is shifting from audience size to trust. And in a world where technology can generate endless content, authenticity may be becoming more valuable than ever.

In the latest ASP Trends, Briony Bosse explores five shifts she believes brands and marketers should be watching:

• AI is changing brand discovery
• Social media is becoming search
• Authenticity matters more
• Influence is changing
• Brand still matters

Briony is a global Business and Brand Management Consultant and Strategist, Head Lecturer in Brand Management at IMM Graduate School, Speaker, Mentor, Facilitator and Executive Educator.

Her perspective brings the conversation back to something increasingly important:

Technology may change how we market, but understanding people will always be at the heart of building meaningful brands.

Read the full article: https://forwarddurban.com/brand-marketing-trends-to-watch-in-2026/

Knowledge shared is opportunity multiplied.

Progress is not only about attracting investment. It is also about removing the barriers that stop investment from movin...
02/09/2026

Progress is not only about attracting investment. It is also about removing the barriers that stop investment from moving forward.

Recent reporting indicates that eThekwini is working to unblock 20 strategic investment projects across the metro, with half already reportedly resolved.

That matters for Durban.

When private developments are delayed by administrative, regulatory or operational obstacles, the impact is felt beyond the project itself. It affects jobs, business confidence, supplier opportunities, construction activity and long-term economic momentum.

For Durban to grow, we need investment to move from planning into delivery.

Changing the narrative means recognising the importance of practical problem-solving, faster approvals, stronger coordination and a city environment where businesses and investors can move with confidence.

Source:
https://iol.co.za/business/2026-08-17-ethekwini-unblocks-20-strategic-investment-projects-as-durban-unemployment-falls-to-212/

Progress is not always loud.Sometimes it looks like a conversation that opens a door.A business that chooses to stay.A c...
02/09/2026

Progress is not always loud.

Sometimes it looks like a conversation that opens a door.
A business that chooses to stay.
A community project that gains momentum.
A sector team that keeps meeting.
A local leader who keeps showing up.

Durban’s future is being built in layers.

Durban’s tourism economy continues to show resilience.According to recent tourism reporting, eThekwini recorded approxim...
01/09/2026

Durban’s tourism economy continues to show resilience.

According to recent tourism reporting, eThekwini recorded approximately 1.8 million domestic trips between January and May 2026, generating an estimated R14.5 billion in visitor spending, with international tourism also showing signs of recovery.

This is encouraging.

Tourism supports far more than hotels and attractions. It feeds into restaurants, transport, events, retail, informal trade, creative industries, tour operators, hospitality jobs and small business opportunities across the city.

For Durban and KZN, tourism remains one of the strongest ways to connect place, people, culture, coastline, business and community.

Changing the narrative means continuing to back the city’s visitor economy, improve the experience and tell the stories that make people want to come back.

Source:
https://visitdurban.travel/news/tourism-in-ethekwini-shows-resilience-amid-global-market-pressures

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