Inside Education Reporter
eThekwini Municipality has renewed a three-year partnership with five of South Africa’s leading universities, saying that in doing so, it is reaffirming its commitment to knowledge, innovation and collaboration as tools to drive inclusive growth and improve service delivery.
The agreement, signed on Friday, brings together the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Stellenbosch University, the University of South Africa, Durban University of Technology, and the Mangosuthu University of Technology.
Through a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the city said it was taking “a bold path” in its transformation journey, pledging to continue building a smarter, more liveable and opportunity-rich Durban.
The initiative was first established in 2011 and has since become a cornerstone of the municipality’s development strategy. It is designed to merge academic expertise with the city’s development agenda to tackle pressing real-world challenges.
According to officials, the partnership is aimed at improving service delivery, strengthening skills development, and creating pathways for residents to thrive.
eThekwini Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba, described the MOA signing as a powerful recommitment to the city’s transformation agenda.
“This agreement is more than a renewal, it is reaffirmation of the power of collaboration, the spirit of innovation, and our shared commitment to building a better future for the city and its people,” he said.
The mayor added that working alongside universities would help create a city that was “not only smart and sustainable, but also inclusive and just.”
At the heart of the partnership lies the Municipal Institute of Learning (MILE), which has positioned Durban as a global centre for municipal learning and innovation.
MILE serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, drawing researchers, policymakers and community leaders to collaborate on urban solutions. City officials said the programme had made Durban a “beacon of knowledge exchange” and a hub for thought leadership.
The arrangement was described as mutually beneficial. Academic institutions provide research, innovation and intellectual capacity, while the municipality offers opportunities for applied learning and community engagement.
The city said that the partnership has helped eThekwini secure the distinction of having the highest number of PhD holders in South Africa, affirming its commitment to intellectual growth and excellence.
Universities involved in the agreement have pledged to work closely with municipal departments to co-create solutions for development challenges facing Durban and its residents.
“It is through collaboration, shared vision, and collective action that we can build a city that is resilient, equitable, and full of possibility,” Xaba said.
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