Applications Open for eThekwini's Smart Energy Pilot

 

By Fred Felton | Jul. 31, 2026

Households that qualify from across eThekwini are invited to apply to be part of a smart energy pilot which is designed to help homes use energy more intelligently.

Apply for eThekwini's Smart Energy Pilot. | Photo: Supplied. 

The midday sun can be used better with solar devices. Peak demand can put pressure on the Municipality’s resources. The biggest portion of electricity bills is electric geysers.

These devices can help reduce your electricity bill. You could save up to R300 on your electricity bill. The project aims to help with peak demand reduction, a cleaner future and energy security. 

Applications are currently open and close at the end of August. Project Smart Solar is backed by the eThekwini Municipality. There are only 280 spots available.

The pilot project is being delivered by the City in partnership with Plentify, a South African energy tech company, and supported by international development partners, including the Agence Franҫaise de Développement, the European Union, and the EU Delegation to South Africa.

‘’Project Smart Solar is an important step in exploring how households can become part of a more resilient energy future for eThekwini,’’ said Sindile Buthelezi, Energy Efficiency Manager at eThekwini Municipality.

Project Smart Solar includes a local skills development section. Youth recruited via the eThekwini Municipal Academy database will be upskilled by professional installation teams from Plentify and employed to support installations where possible.

‘’Skills development is an important part of making the energy transition more inclusive. It offers hands-on experience and transferable technical skills to young people,’’ noted Tumisang Kalagobe, Project Smart Solar Lead at Plentify.

Homes that have solar and battery systems are especially encouraged to apply and could qualify if they have: an electric geyser, solar PV panels, battery storage, a compatible inverter system and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity.

Households without solar, also qualify if they have an electric geyser and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity.

Those selected participants will receive the Plentify Home Energy Management System, which includes SolarBot and/or HotBot devices and access to the Plentify Home App.

A SolarBot is Plentify’s intelligent controller for solar and battery systems that assists households to use more solar energy, rely less on the grid, and stay protected during outages.

A HotBot is Plentify’s intelligent geyser controller that automatically heats water at the right times based on a household’s needs, ensuring hot water is available when needed while reducing unnecessary electricity use.

Professional installation and ongoing support will also be provided at no cost during the pilot.

You can apply for this opportunity here: https://plentify.io/project-smart-solar/

Fashion Designers Apply For 15th Durban Fashion Fair Showcase

 

By Fred Felton | July 30, 2026

The Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) has spent 15 years transforming emerging local designers into successful fashion entrepreneurs.

The programme celebrates its landmark 15^th edition under the theme ‘’Where Legacy Lives’’, and eThekwini Municipality is inviting fashion designers to be part of this milestone showcase.

Applications close on 31 July 2026.

Designers interested in showcasing their collections can apply by completing the online application form at https://forms.gle/9yHiqibirFNaxtLq9

The 15th DFF takes place from 16 to 18 September at the Durban Exhibition Centre ending with the Recognition Awards on 19 September.

Expect to see designers who joined the programme 14 years ago and have since built successful fashion businesses and created employment and showcased globally. It will also include the next generation of fashion household names currently participating in the intensive 10-month DFF Mentorship Programme which highlights the City’s continued investment in developing creative talent and growing the local fashion economy.

‘’For the past 15 years, the DFF has demonstrated that fashion is a powerful driver of economic development,’’ said the City’s Chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee, Councillor Thembo Ntuli.

Through initiatives like the DFF Emporium at uMlazi Mega City and seasonal pop-up shops, the programme continues to empower micro, small and medium enterprises while positioning Durban as one of Africa’s leading fashion destinations.

For more information, contact nondumiso.mthembu@durban.gov.za

Spaar wat jy kan - jou toekoms hang daarvan af

 

Jou hardverdiende geld is lank voor die einde van die maand op, en dit voel asof dit eenvoudig nie moontlik is om vir iets betekenisvols te spaar nie. In plaas daarvan om nog ’n finansiële las by te voeg, stel baie mense spaar uit totdat hulle eendag meer verdien.

Spaar wat jy kan - jou toekoms hang daarvan af.

Maar kom ons wees eerlik: ’n Hoër inkomste lei dikwels tot ’n duurder leefstyl, hoër uitgawes en steeds geen spaargeld nie.

Spaar gaan nie daaroor om vir ’n groter salaris te wag nie. Dit gaan daaroor om die gewoonte te kweek om gereeld geld opsy te sit – selfs klein bedrae – sodat jy mettertyd ’n veiliger finansiële toekoms kan bou.

Hierdie Spaarmaand daag die Vereniging vir Spaar en Belegging Suid-Afrika (ASISA) jou uit om te spaar wat jy kan, want jou toekoms hang daarvan af.

Spaar vir jou toekoms

Daar is twee belangrike redes waarom jy behoort te spaar. Eerstens is die lewe onvoorspelbaar. ’n Noodfonds kan help om onverwagte mediese uitgawes, herstelwerk of skoolkoste te betaal sonder dat jy op duur skuld hoef staat te maak.

Tweedens moet jy vir jou aftrede voorsiening maak. Hoe meer jy vir aftrede spaar, hoe groter is jou finansiële onafhanklikheid en hoe minder afhanklik sal jy van ander wees. ’n Gesonde aftreefonds gee jou ook die geleentheid om jou aftrede met groter gemak en gemoedsrus te geniet.

Dit gaan minder oor hoeveel jy spaar en meer oor die gewoonte om konsekwent te spaar. Selfs R20 of R50 wat gereeld opsy gesit word, kan met verloop van tyd aansienlik groei. Wanneer jou spaargeld belê bly, trek dit voordeel uit saamgestelde groei – met ander woorde, jy verdien rente op rente.

Hierdie Spaarmand daag jouself uit om te spaar wat jy kan deur die volgende mites te ontken:

Mite 1: “Ek kan begin spaar wanneer ek meer verdien.”

Moenie wag vir die perfekte tyd nie. Begin eerder met ’n bedrag wat jy gemaklik kan bekostig en laat dit outomaties op betaaldag na ’n spaarrekening oorplaas word. Hou jou spaargeld in ’n vaste deposito of soortgelyke rekening om onnodige onttrekkings te voorkom.

Spaarwenk: Verminder een klein uitgawe hierdie maand – ‘n koeldrank by middagete of wegneemetes op Vrydagaand -  en plaas daardie bedrag direk in ’n aparte spaarrekening.

Mite 2: “Om klein bedrae te spaar maak geen verskil nie.”

Baie mense dink spaar werk net as jy elke maand baie geld wegsteek. Elke suksesvolle spaarder het klein begin.

Wanneer jy gereeld spaar, groei nie net jou spaargeld nie, maar ook jou selfvertroue. Gebruik ekstra inkomste, soos ’n bonus of stokvel-uitbetaling, om jou spaargeld verder aan te vul.

Konsekwentheid is belangriker as volmaaktheid.

Spaarwenk: Spaar in ‘n spaarrekening vir ’n spesifieke doel, soos ’n “Noodfonds” of “Skoolfonds”. Mense bly makliker gemotiveerd wanneer hulle presies weet waarvoor hulle spaar.

Mite 3: “Dit maak nie saak as ek uit my aftreefonds se spaarpot onttrek nie.”

As jy reeds aan ’n aftreefonds behoort, is jy op die regte pad. Gereelde onttrekkings uit die spaarpot verminder egter jou uiteindelike aftreevoordeel aansienlik.

Jy verloor boonop die voordeel van saamgestelde groei, en onttrekkings is onderhewig aan belasting en administrasiefooie.

Spaarwenk: Bou ’n noodfonds op sodat onverwagte uitgawes nie jou aftreespaargeld in gevaar stel nie.

Spaar wat jy kan

Jy hoef nie perfek te spaar nie. Sommige maande sal moeiliker wees as ander, en dit is heeltemal normaal.

Wat werklik saak maak, is om die gewoonte te vorm om gereeld iets opsy te sit. Klein, gereelde spaargeld vandag kan jou môre meer keuses, groter finansiële sekerheid en groter gemoedsrus gee.

Hierdie Spaarmaand, moenie fokus op hoeveel jy kan spaar nie. Fokus daarop om eenvoudig te begin.

Spaar wat jy kan – jou toekoms hang daarvan af.

Hierdie inhoud word aan jou gebied deur die Vereniging vir Spaar en Belegging Suid-Afrika (ASISA) as deel van sy Spaarmaand-opvoedingsinisiatief om meer Suid-Afrikaners aan te moedig om #SpaarWatJyKan.

Save what you can - your future depends on it

 

Your hard-earned money disappears long before month-end and saving for something meaningful just never seems possible. Rather than worry about what seems like just another financial burden, you put off saving until, one day, you earn more.

Save what you can - your future depends on it. 

But let’s be honest: more money often leads to lifestyle changes, resulting in higher expenses and still no savings.

Saving is not about waiting for a higher income. It is about developing a habit of setting money aside regularly, even in small amounts, to help build a more secure future.

This Savings Month, the Association for Saving and Investment South Africa (ASISA) is challenging you to save what you can, because your future depends on it.

Saving for your future

You need to save for two main reasons. First, life is unpredictable. A small emergency fund can help you pay for unexpected medical costs, replace something that has broken, or cover school expenses without turning to expensive debt.

The second reason is to put money away for retirement. The more you have saved for your retirement, the more independent you can be because you won’t have to rely on your family to help you out. A nest egg in your old age will also enable you to enjoy a more comfortable retirement.

It is less about how much you save and more about making saving a regular habit. Saving R20 or R50 regularly may not seem like much today, but consistently putting something aside helps to build your savings over time. If you leave your savings for some time, the savings you set aside can benefit from compound growth, which means you will earn interest on interest. 

This Savings Month, challenge yourself to save what you can by busting the following myths:

Myth 1: "Starting when I earn more is early enough."

Instead of waiting for the perfect time, start with a small amount you can manage. Even a small amount saved every payday helps create the habit. Arrange for the small amount to be automatically deducted from your everyday account and transferred to your savings account on payday. Your savings should be held in a fixed deposit account to prevent easy access.

Savings tip: Choose one expense you can reduce slightly this month - a cold drink at lunch or takeaways on Friday night - and move that money into a separate savings account.

 

Myth 2: "Saving small amounts isn't worth it."

Many people think saving only works if you can put away lots of money every month. But every successful saver started somewhere.

Once you start, even with small amounts, your confidence grows, and you save more and more. When extra money comes your way, such as a stokvel payout or a work bonus, you can add more to your savings. But don't overlook the power of small amounts saved regularly. Over time, they can make a meaningful difference.

The important thing is consistency, not perfection.

Savings tip: When you save towards a goal, it makes it easier to save consistently. Set up a separate account and name it something meaningful like "Emergency Fund" or "School fees”. Many people are often more motivated to save when they know exactly what they are saving for.

Myth 3: “Dipping into my retirement fund’s savings pot is not a big deal.”

If you are lucky enough to have a retirement fund, you are already saving. But dipping into the savings portion of your retirement fund once a year drastically reduces what you will have available in your old age.

Even if you can replace the money taken from the savings pot in the future, you lose out on the compound growth. The more you take out of your savings pot every year, the less you will have at retirement when you are likely to need it most.

Also, remember that withdrawals from your savings pot are taxed and attract an administration fee.

Savings tip: Aim to build up an emergency savings fund, even if you start small. Instead of having to dip into your retirement savings for every unexpected expense, you can use the money in your emergency fund. This way, you allow your retirement savings to continue growing while avoiding taxes and fees.

Save what you can

You do not need to save perfectly. Some months will be harder than others, and that's okay.

What matters is creating the habit of putting something aside whenever you can. Small, regular savings today can give you more choices, more security and greater peace of mind tomorrow.

This Savings Month, don't focus on how much you can save. Focus on getting started.

Save what you can – your future depends on it.

This content is brought to you by the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) as part of its Savings Month education initiative to help more South Africans #SaveWhatYouCan.

Discover Amazing Thailand

 

By Fred Felton | July 14, 2026

Recently I attended the Amazing Thailand Roadshow 2026. The event aimed to bring Thailand closer to South Africa as demand for meaningful travel grows.

Amazing Thailand. | Photo: Supplied. 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) held a multi-city roadshow in South Africa which connected 20 leading Thai Tourism partners with more than 40 South African professionals to explore emerging travel trends, new tourism products and future collaborations.

In 2025 Thailand welcomed 32.97 million international visitors and generated more than R750 million in tourism revenue, making it one of Asia’s most popular travel destinations.

South Africa is Thailand’s largest source market in Sub-Saharan Africa, more than 72,000 South Africans travelled to Thailand in 2025. On the African continent, arrivals grew by nearly 18% year-on-year, reaching close to 200,000 visitors.

‘’These numbers speak to more than tourism demand. They reflect a growing connection between Thailand and South Africa, built on a shared curiosity, strong partnerships and a genuine interest in exploring each other’s cultures,’’ noted Chiravadee Khunsub, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing Europe, Africa, Middle East and America.

The delegation included hotels, destination management companies and wellness-focused travel providers, showcasing experiences tailored to the SA market. From beach holidays and family getaways to culinary adventures, honeymoon escapes and wellness retreats, the roadshow highlighted the breadth of experiences available in Thailand.

A key theme for Thailand this year is: Unforgettable Experience: Healing is the New Luxury, TAT is placing a big emphasis on wellbeing, sustainability and more cultural experiences.

The aim for TAT is to develop more tailored travel packages while unlocking new opportunities for both markets.

This initiative is supported by Emirates, whose extensive connectivity between South Africa, Dubai and Thailand continues to make travel between the regions more accessible.

TAT says its focus remains on working closely with trade partners and ensuring Thailand continues to appeal to South Africans looking for travel experiences that offer value for money and lasting memories.

Asimile Siyaqhuba - Commercial Sports Facilities

 

Commercial Sports Facilities - Driving Economic Impact Through World-Class Facilities

To highlight the achievements made during the 2021 to 2026 term in office, the City is rolling out its Five-Year Service Delivery Milestone campaign under the theme Asmile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity.

This week the spotlight is on the sporting facilities in the City.

The Commercial Sports Facilities Directorate plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the City’s premier venues operate efficiently while contributing meaningfully to the local economy. Responsible for the management and commercialisation of facilities such as the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium, the directorate oversees event hosting, venue operations, strategic partnerships, and revenue generation initiatives.

By attracting major sporting fixtures, concerts, exhibitions, and corporate events, the directorate maximises facility utilisation while supporting tourism, job creation, and economic growth within eThekwini Municipality. Through strategic planning and strong stakeholder collaboration, the directorate ensures that the City’s world-class venues remain sustainable, vibrant, and accessible to the community.

A key milestone during the five-year period was the successful securing of a dedicated capital budget to implement urgent remedial infrastructure and auxiliary upgrades at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. These critical interventions ensured full compliance with the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act and other applicable regulatory frameworks governing the safe operation and management of major sporting and recreational venues. The upgrades have strengthened safety standards, enhanced operational efficiency, and ensured the stadium’s continued readiness to host world-class events.

To enhance resilience and service continuity across municipal facilities, the directorate installed generators at all community stadia, including King Zwelithini, Princess Magogo, Sugar Ray Xulu, and the Mpumalanga Stadiums at a total investment of R6.8 million. This strategic investment ensures uninterrupted operations during power disruptions and enhances the reliability of these venues for both community and professional use.

At the Mpumalanga Stadium, floodlights were installed at a cost of R8 million, enabling the facility to host night matches and large-scale events, thereby expanding its commercial viability and community accessibility. During the 2023/24 financial year, the change rooms at the stadium were refurbished to meet modern standards. In addition, the directorate completed the refurbishment of change rooms at the Chatsworth Stadium, significantly improving athlete facilities and enhancing the overall user experience.

In the Umgeni precinct, the directorate installed temporary lighting, pre-cast fencing, and guard houses to secure the site in preparation for future utilisation, ensuring asset protection and regulatory compliance.

The implementation of the latest smart access solution at the Moses Mabhida Stadium has been a game changer for event organisers and ticketing agents. With the ability to scan all forms of ticketing, the system has significantly improved the visitor and client experience by offering seamless and efficient access control. This enhancement has increased entry speed while strengthening crowd safety and emergency management measures.

Over the five-year period, the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium has hosted several prestigious sporting events, reinforcing its status as a premier football and multi-purpose events venue. These include major fixtures such as the Nedbank Cup, as well as other high-profile domestic and international football matches and large-scale entertainment events. The stadium continues to serve as a catalyst for economic activity, tourism growth, and the positioning of Durban as a leading sports and events destination.

Asimile Siyaqhuba - Empowering The Youth As The Nation's Future Leaders

 

ASIMILE SIYAQHUBA: EMPOWERING THE YOUTH AS THE NATION’S FUTURE LEADERS

EThekwini Municipality has made youth development a strategic priority through the work of its Youth Development Office, which operates within the Mayoral Parlour.

Highlighting the gains made to empower young people in the City is the Five-Year Service Delivery Milestones campaign being rolled out under the theme Asimile Siyaqhuba: Resilience Through Adversity.

The campaign highlights transformative efforts that have shaped service delivery during the 2021 to 2026 term of office.

The Youth Development Office continues to play a pivotal role in empowering young people socially, academically, and economically. Through a range of targeted interventions, the office is helping to build a generation of confident, skilled, and self-reliant young residents.

HONOURING TOP MATRIC LEARNERS

One of the office's most celebrated initiatives is the annual Matric Awards Ceremony, held at the beginning of each year. The event recognises academic excellence among matric learners across eThekwini.

The programme honours the Top 20 matric achievers, comprising the Top 10 overall best-performing learners in the metro and an additional Top 10 learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

Each of the Top 20 achievers receives a full bursary to pursue studies at a South African university of their choice, in any field of study. Many beneficiaries go on to enrol in scarce and critical skills programmes, contributing to the country's future workforce needs. The Municipality invests close to R1 million annually to support students throughout their tertiary education journey.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPORT

Through its Back-to-School Programme, the Youth Development Office assists learners from disadvantaged communities by providing essential educational resources.

The programme supplies learners with calculators, mathematical sets, school shoes, dignity packs, toiletries, and sanitary products for female learners. During the 2025/26 financial year alone, more than 1 500 learners from 30 schools around the Municipality benefited from the initiative.

STUDENT RELIEF FUND

The office also has a Student Relief Fund that assists deserving students with registration and admission-related costs, including upfront fees required by tertiary institutions.

During the 2025/26 financial year, approximately R1.3 million was allocated towards this programme, helping young people take their first steps towards obtaining qualifications and securing better opportunities for the future.

 

BUSINESS CHALLENGE

Every June, as part of Youth Month celebrations, the Youth Development Office hosts a Business Challenge aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs whose businesses have been operating for more than a year. The Municipality, along with its partners provide practical business resource vouchers that contribute directly to business growth and sustainability.

Under the programme, the top three entrepreneurs receive business support resources valued at approximately R70 000 collectively, while a further 17 participants share resources worth around R170 000.

YOUTH TALENT SHOW

The Youth Talent Show is an annual programme that creates opportunities for young people to showcase their creative abilities. Through this platform, young people gather to present their talents in various categories, with the winner appointed as the “ambassadors” of the Youth Development Office. Previous winners have gone on to make a name for themselves in the creative space.

Furthermore, throughout the year, the Youth Development Office delivers a variety of projects and empowerment initiatives, including sports tournaments, career expos, leadership development programmes, skills development workshops, and community-based interventions designed to equip young people with the tools needed to succeed.

IMPACT OF PROGRAMMES

Speaking about the impact of these programmes, Youth Development Office Manager Nokuthula Hlophe said the Municipality remains committed to ensuring that young people are equipped with the tools and opportunities needed to succeed while eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba said investing in young people remains one of the Municipality's most important priorities.