Page 7 - KZN Business Sense

BUILDING KZN’S FUTURE THROUGH

PARTNERSHIP

Insights from Invest at the Richards Bay Container STARTING THE
Durban’s Russell Curtis Terminal and the Durban CONVERSATION
Container Terminal. For Curtis, Curtis was clear that
ussell Curtis, such arrangements are vital. “If businesses should not simply
head of Invest you want to unlock funding from wait for opportunities to
RDurban, the private sector, they need to appear. “I would like to
recently see an element of equity share encourage businesses, whether
commented and have a seat at the table to domestic or international, not
on the critical ensure effective implementation to wait passively for tenders,”
role of public of both public and private he said. “Legislation allows
private funds,” he explained. for unsolicited bids, and
partnerships, TRANSFORMING conversations can be started
or PPPs for KZN’s development DURBAN’S with government entities to
goals. These collaborations, INFRASTRUCTURE see whether projects in sectors
Curtis argued, are central to such as IT, energy, water, or
solving some of the country’s Closer to home, Invest Durban wastewater can be packaged Illuminated in vibrant colour, the KE Masinga Substation reflects
most pressing challenges and has already facilitated a major more quickly.” renewed strength in the City’s energy network.
unlocking new opportunities PPP in eThekwini. “We have
for growth. closed on approximately £100 When asked how
million in a public private companies might begin these A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE partnerships, government,
Curtis explained that public partnership in wastewater conversations, Curtis drew on ACTION business, and communities can
private partnerships now treatment works,” Curtis an entrepreneurial mindset. “It tackle problems that have too
hold a level of acceptance and said. The project, which has is no secret in entrepreneurial For Curtis, South Africa’s often seemed insurmountable.
credibility that was previously attracted global bidders, is thinking that the best place public sector cannot alone
lacking. “As most who have being adjudicated with advisory to start is where the biggest meet the scale of challenges For Curtis and Invest
been following South Africa’s support from institutions such problem lies. If you are in in infrastructure, energy, Durban, the challenge now
headlines will know, we can as the World Bank. An award is business, whether medium, and service delivery. Nor can is to keep the momentum
now gratefully say that we expected early next year. large, or small, or even part of the private sector flourish going, turning conversations
have crossed the Rubicon with a community group, and you without stable, reliable systems into tangible action and
public private partnerships,” According to Curtis, are feeling the direct impact of that enable business growth. ensuring that South Africa’s
he said. “These partnerships the initiative will bring a problem, you already have a Partnerships, therefore, are not economic future is shaped
are now ideologically and transformative change. “This vested interest in solving it.” optional but essential. not by negativity but by
politically accepted, they are will fundamentally alter how At the end of October 2025, shared solutions.
fiscally productive, and we wastewater is treated in the city. He suggested that discussions through collaboration with Invest Durban is the city’s
are seeing them deliver very It will address what has been can begin at a very local national, provincial and metro official investment promotion
practical results.” something of an Achilles’ heel, level, such as with ward business bodies, municipal agency – a trusted “First Stop
particularly after the storms councillors, and extend into
He pointed to the national damaged infrastructure. We organised business bodies. and business teams have Shop” for investors. Backed
energy sector as a case in are all tired of seeing beaches “These conversations can successfully crafted a watershed by strong partnerships across
point. Partnerships between closed due to pollution, and be launched in any business partnering policy framework, the public and private sectors,
government and business have this project will bring in global association, whether among which has been adopted by Invest Durban provides free
already played a significant expertise, hard currency, property owners, automotive council. This policy will investment facilitation services,
role in addressing the power and significant technological manufacturers, or chambers of set the stage for new forms strategic advisory, promotion,
crisis, providing a model of upgrades in two brand new commerce. In Durban, there are of accelerated partnerships and aftercare for both local and
how such collaborations can wastewater treatment plants, also formalised structures such where stakeholders come international investors. 
work effectively. The challenge along with associated pipes and as the presidential eThekwini together with the municipality
now, he suggested, is to extend pump stations.” working groups, which cover and address infrastructure Russell Curtis
the model beyond the national Such developments highlight areas from water and power opportunities together with E: Russell.Curtis@durban.gov.za
level. “We need to see many to tourism, infrastructure, funds and implementation W: www.invest.durban | www.durban.gov.za
more of these partnerships at how PPPs can move beyond and communications. These expertise drawn from all sides.
theory and deliver concrete
provincial and metropolitan solutions to longstanding platforms offer opportunities As Durban and the wider
levels,” he added. for businesses to begin KwaZulu-Natal region look to
problems. For Durban, the
Transnet has already begun project is set to enhance both conversations about public the future, the message is one
to move in this direction by environmental sustainability private partnerships and to work of collaboration. By working
offering equity partnerships and economic competitiveness. collaboratively on solutions.” together through innovative

The City, together with private-sector partners Fundamentum Property Developers, Investec EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba hosted an engagement with local Chinese business
and the Adeo Group, marked the sod turning of KwaZulu-Natal’s first Leroy Merlin store. leaders to strengthen cooperation, attract new investment, and remove barriers to trade.

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