THE Umlazi Canal Revitalisation Project has been completed ahead of its deadline, and the Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG) has welcomed the news.

Also read: Floods hit Prospecton industries hard

The R113m project began in 2024 to restore the berm and prevent future breaches of the Umlazi River following the 2022 floods. The project was scheduled for completion in November.

At the time, the river breached the canal and flooded the nearby industries in Prospecton, Reunion, and Mobeni, causing damage estimated at around R17b.

The PeWG was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2024 in response to concerns raised by the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry regarding service delivery challenges and their impact on the local economy

In a statement, the PeWG said that besides the canal project, significant progress has been made on several strategic infrastructure, transport and road rehabilitation projects under Workstream 5, reaffirming the government’s commitment to rebuilding resilient infrastructure and strengthening service delivery across the eThekwini Metro.

Also read: [Video] Amanzimtoti floods prompt warnings

Workstream 5 oversees the repair and upgrade of critical roads and bridges, crucial for logistics and economic activity in the region.

A progress report presented during the monthly meeting of Workstream 5, held on May 7, showed notable achievements across a number of flagship projects, particularly within the City-Wide Road Upgrading and Inner-City Rejuvenation Programmes.

It said the Umlazi Canal Revitalisation Project also created employment opportunities, empowering local subcontractors, and promoting environmental sustainability through responsible construction practices.

“These projects demonstrate the value of co-ordinated collaboration between national, provincial and municipal spheres of government in advancing inclusive infrastructure development,” read the statement.

For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.

Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.