KwaZulu-Natal's Premier outlines transformative priorities for business growth

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has outlined three priorities that the provincial government believes will transform the province into a socially stable hub for business and investment.

Ntuli made the comments in a pre-recorded video message which was played during a business breakfast hosted in Durban on Monday morning, as he was unable to attend in person. The KZN Business Futures Executive Breakfast took place at the Hilton Garden Inn, Umhlanga.

The exclusive event convened around 100 senior executives, policymakers, and investors to discuss trade, logistics, and investment opportunities within the province.

Keynote addresses were also delivered by other dignitaries, including Nilvana Darama, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, and Jabu Mdaki, CEO of Transnet Port Terminals.

Their contributions focused on KwaZulu-Natal’s opportunities for international partnerships and the vital role of port and logistics infrastructure in unlocking regional growth.

Ntuli emphasised that leadership demands visible commitments and measurable outcomes. He invited those assembled to join the government in three concrete actions:

• Publicly support and invest in crime reduction and community safety initiatives in priority municipalities.
• Commit to at least one catalytic investment or partnership within the next 12 months that delivers measurable local jobs and supplier development.
• Join a dedicated public-private working group on economic modelling and investment to agree on specific interventions, financing approaches, and timelines to clear backlogs and increase capacity.

One of the organisers of the event, Dr Roger Latchman, noted the importance of the gathering, stating: “This platform is about positioning KwaZulu-Natal as a hub of trade and investment while ensuring that the province’s business community has direct access to both government leadership and global partners. It is an opportunity to showcase achievements, build confidence, and open doors for future growth.”

THE MERCURY