The eThekwini Municipality will spend R11.3 million to upgrade the Inkosi Albert Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) for the 46th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit.
Image: SADC-Facebook
The eThekwini Municipality will spend R11.3 million to upgrade Durban's ICC for the 46th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit.
The Durban ICC is currently hosting the SADC industrialisation week until July 31. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to attend the SADC summit of heads of state and government between August 3 and 18.
The municipality had to reprioritise various projects within the 2026/2027 Capital Budget to support what they termed “critical infrastructure and building upgrades” required to ensure the venue is fully prepared to host the summit.
The municipality has not provided the finer details of the upgrade projects. It was previously reported that R11 million would be spent solely on upgrading the toilets, but the city has since clarified that the budget also covers other upgrades, including air conditioners.
A report before the eThekwini Executive Committee (Exco) on Tuesday outlined that the funds for the reprioritisation from the 2026/27 capital budget are: R6 million for the replacement of the defective building management system (BMS); R2 million budgeted for the mechanical upgrade of front-of-house emergency doors and R3.3 million earmarked for the refurbishment of operable wall systems.
The municipality stated that the investment will not only ensure the successful hosting of the summit but also strengthen the Durban ICC’s long-term value as a strategic municipal asset.
The 46th SADC Summit is expected to bring together heads of state and government from the organisation's 16 member states, as well as senior government officials, policymakers, business leaders and development partners from across the region.
"Hosting the summit presents a significant opportunity to showcase Durban as a premier destination for international conferences and events, while reinforcing the City's strategic role in advancing regional cooperation, trade and economic development," the municipality stated.
Ramaphosa announced that eThekwini will be the venue in recognition of the sterling work and noticeable progress made by the municipality following the establishment of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG). An additional workstream focusing on economic development has been established as part of the PeWG.
According to the municipality, the summit will see South Africa assume the chairship of SADC for the next 12 months, providing an opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation, economic integration, peace and security across Southern Africa.
The SADC is an intergovernmental organisation of 16 countries. Expected member states include: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.