Toyota reaffirms commitment to Durban as partnership with eThekwini strengthens
Image: Supplied
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to long-term investment in Durban and the broader KwaZulu-Natal region.
This affirmation emerged during a high-level engagement between eThekwini Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba, and TSAM President and CEO, Andrew Kirby, aimed at enhancing cooperation on crucial infrastructure and economic development efforts.
The meeting centred around essential components for industrial growth, such as upgrades to road networks, ensuring a stable electricity supply, and improving water and sanitation infrastructure within the Prospecton Precinct, where TSAM operates its manufacturing facilities.
In a bid to bolster industrial activity in Prospecton, the municipality is investing over R450 million in various road infrastructure projects that are currently in different stages of implementation.
A significant water infrastructure upgrade is also underway, which involves replacing a 375mm asbestos cement pipeline with a new 400mm steel pipeline. This long-anticipated development is expected to markedly improve water supply to the area.
In light of recent flood damage, more than R120m has been allocated for the repair and upgrade of sewer networks and pump stations.
Moreover, the City has made substantial progress in refurbishing power substations that serve TSAM and the surrounding industrial landscape, ensuring a reliable source of electricity for operations.
Recognising TSAM as one of eThekwini's most significant investors, Xaba emphasised the importance of their longstanding partnership, which has flourished over the past five decades.
"We are not taking this relationship lightly. That's why we are committed to accelerating current infrastructure projects by shortening lead times for construction and repair work," Xaba said.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
Xaba also assured TSAM of the city's ongoing support, with a dedicated team led by the City Manager working closely with the automaker to tackle infrastructure challenges and provide regular progress updates.
Echoing the commitment to collaboration, TSAM President Andrew Kirby reiterated the company's dedication to being an integral part of Durban's economic future.
"Even after the catastrophic floods, it was never a consideration to leave Durban. The strength of our relationship with the city has always been a key factor," said Kirby.
TSAM currently contributes R18 billion in national taxes annually, with the municipality collecting over R6m in rates from the company each year.
This financial impact highlights the mutual benefit both TSAM and the city experience from their partnership.
BUSINESS REPORT
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
17 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Toyota to introduce three EV models to South Africa in 2026
Toyota plans to introduce three fully-electric models in South Africa in 2026, a senior executive said on Thursday, entering a nascent electric vehicle (EV) market where Chinese rivals such as BYD are already competing with European carmakers. Volvo dominates EV sales in South Africa, followed by BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but Chinese EV makers are starting to flood the market as they seek new markets amid restrictions on exports to the US and Europe. Toyota only sells hybrid EVs in South Africa, but leads with a commanding 67% of the market for hybrids and plug-in hybrids in 2024, with models such as the Corolla Cross. 'We're launching battery EVs at the beginning of 2026, so we will have three new battery EVs,' Toyota South Africa CEO Andrew Kirby told Reuters on the sidelines of a car components conference, without providing further details. 'We do not believe one powertrain is going to dominate in the future. So we'll have internal combustion engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery EVs, fuel cell EVs and potentially a carbon neutral internal combustion engine.' Low incomes, high import duties, unreliable power availability and a lack of sufficient charging infrastructure have long hampered manufacturers' efforts to sell EVs in South Africa, whose share of total sales is still low. On Chinese competition, Kirby said while he welcomes competition, 'it's a strategic concern for us and we need to make sure we respond in the right way and as quickly as possible. It's a big challenge'. South Africa's automotive sector 'is at an inflection point', he added, with fairly flat production volumes, a drop in local content and a surge in imported vehicle sales. This has prompted the big local car manufacturers, including Toyota, BMW, Isuzu and Volkswagen, to put together a policy recommendation document sent to the trade and industry minister on how to support and protect the industry, Kirby said. 'We have some taxation structures that are a bit counterproductive and so we've made some fiscally neutral policy proposals,' Kirby said, adding that proposals also include the restructuring of the rebate system. 'We are hoping that in the next six months there will be some short-term interventions that can be announced.'
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Calls for extension of eThekwini Municipality's debt relief programme
Two legal bodies have written to eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba requesting an extension of the debt relief programme. Image: eThekwini Municipality / Facebook A call has been made for the eThekwini Municipality to extend its special debt relief programme as it has given a major boost to Durban's property sector. This is the view of professional bodies, including the Black Lawyers Association and the KwaZulu-Natal Legal Practitioners Association. The organisations have written to Mayor Cyril Xaba, urging the extension of the programme, stating that it has addressed serious challenges that had been stifling the property sector. The Mercury has seen the correspondence from these organisations addressed to Xaba. Their view is shared by ratepayers and opposition parties in the council, who believe the programme has provided much-needed relief for ratepayers. Mayoral spokesperson Mluleki Mntungwa confirmed that it had received the correspondence but said it would not be appropriate to discuss the matter through the media. The Special Debt Relief Programme was implemented by the municipality during May and June this year. The programme's structure offers a 50% write-off on qualifying arrears upon full settlement of the remaining balance. The Legal Practitioners Association stated that the initiative provided much-needed financial relief to ratepayers across the municipality, particularly those affected by economic hardship and undetected water leaks. 'The programme's structure—offering a 50% write-off on qualifying arrears upon full settlement of the remaining balance—was both pragmatic and compassionate. It enabled many households and businesses to restore their municipal accounts and avoid service interruptions while also promoting responsible payment behaviour. 'As property lawyers, we have seen firsthand how this programme has positively impacted property transactions and ownership stability. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'Clients who were previously unable to proceed with transfers or obtain clearance certificates due to arrears were able to regularise their accounts, thereby unlocking stalled transactions and reducing legal disputes. It has contributed to smoother conveyancing processes and improved confidence in municipal cooperation,' said a representative from the Legal Practitioners Association. 'In light of its success and the ongoing financial challenges faced by many residents, we respectfully request that the municipality consider extending the Special Debt Relief Programme for a further period of three months. This extension would allow greater exposure of the relief to a wider public audience and ensure that more ratepayers—especially those who may have missed the initial window—can benefit from this important initiative. 'We also kindly request that, should the programme be extended, the municipality publish clear and comprehensive information regarding the eligibility criteria and required documentation. This should include specific guidance for: Individuals applying for relief Companies seeking to regularise their accounts Deceased estates, where executors or legal representatives may need to act on behalf of the estate The Black Lawyers Association confirmed they have written to the mayor and echoed the same sentiment in their letter. 'This intervention has made a meaningful difference for numerous residents and businesses, many of whom have faced financial strain due to prevailing economic pressures and undetected utility losses. 'By providing an opportunity to write off 50% on qualifying arrears upon settlement of the outstanding balance, the municipality demonstrated not only fiscal sensitivity but also a proactive commitment to social responsibility. Further, this demonstrates that we are led by a council which cares!' 'As legal professionals—many of whom work extensively in property law and municipal compliance—we have witnessed the tangible benefits of the initiative. 'Clients who had long been unable to finalise property transfers or access services due to account arrears were finally able to bring their accounts up to date. This has supported both the local property market and the broader legal ecosystem, fostering smoother transactional processes and increased legal certainty.' It urged the municipality to consider extending the programme for an additional four months. Asked about whether an extension should be considered, eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association president Ish Prahladh said: 'Actually, yes, it has had a positive impact on the property and business industry. Remember, all ratepayers and businesses are cash-strapped owing to our economy. It would definitely be a big help if it was extended.' IFP councillor Jonathan Annipen said the party fully supported the call to extend the programme. 'We believe this initiative has proven effective in addressing long-standing challenges faced by ratepayers and has helped to stabilise the property industry. Last month, the IFP submitted a motion to the council calling for the reinstatement of this programme. Unfortunately, this was rejected by the Speaker of council.
The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Major vehicle assembly plant opens up in Durban
A popular car manufacturer has opened its largest vehicle assembly in South Africa, right along the sunny shores of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Mahindra South Africa officially inaugurated its new vehicle assembly plant on 12 August at Durban's Dube TradePort's Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The launch marks a major expansion in the country's automotive manufacturing landscape. This purpose-built facility, adjacent to Mahindra's original 2018 assembly site, replaces the semi-knocked-down (SKD) setup and enables full nuts-and-bolts assembly of the Pik Up range (both single- and double-cab variants). With capacity to assemble over 1 000 vehicles per month, the plant is designed for flexibility and future growth, including accommodating new models and increasing local component sourcing. The launch was attended by eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development Musa Zondi, Mahindra South Africa CEO Rajesh Gupta, and other dignitaries. Mayor Xaba described the move as a new chapter in local manufacturing, particularly in the automotive sector. This new Durban plant also coincides with Mahindra entering its third decade in South Africa. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
