Durban City Chairman Farook Kadodia expressed optimism ahead of the start of the new Betway Premiership season, asserting that the club has laid a solid foundation. He emphasized that the player recruitment was closely linked to preserving the identity that contributed to the team's recent success.
Kadodia noted that the pre-season training went very encouragingly, and he is satisfied with the work of the technical team and players during training. He added that every new season offers an opportunity for improvement, and the main focus was on being fully prepared for upcoming challenges.
Despite the statements, the Pietermaritzburg businessman actively worked during the off-season, preparing the team for its second season in the top division. Following an impressive debut in the top flight, Durban City made changes to both the technical staff and the player squad.
The club quickly appointed Khalil Ben Youssef as head coach after Pitso Dladla's departure to Golden Arrows. Ben Youssef has a good reputation, having helped Kaizer Chiefs finish third in the league last season. He is tasked with leading the team through a demanding season that includes domestic and international competitions, including the CAF Confederation Cup.
Furthermore, the club strengthened its support staff by inviting Musu Nyatama, a former Orlando Pirates midfielder, as assistant coach. Nyatama joins Ben Youssef after starting his coaching career at Moroka Swallows and Upington City, bringing valuable PSL experience to the Durban City technical department.
Kadodia stated that the team worked to strengthen the squad where necessary while maintaining the culture and ambitions that define Durban City FC. He expressed enthusiasm for the coming season and confirmed the team's commitment to delighting fans both on and off the pitch.
These appointments demonstrate Kadodia's commitment to continuity rather than complete overhaul. Although faces in the coaching staff may change, the club's management consistently stresses the importance of protecting the culture that helped Durban City become one of South Africa's fastest-growing clubs. This philosophy extended to player recruitment, as experienced athletes were included to complement an already competitive squad, not to disrupt its foundation.
Having exceeded expectations last season, Durban City enters the new campaign with heightened demands. With a strengthened squad, an experienced coaching staff, and a chairman striving to maintain the club's ambitious culture, the KwaZulu-Natal team considers itself well-prepared for competition on multiple fronts and to continue its remarkable ascent.
Xolani Ngwezi has increased his chances of returning to the mayoral post after being elected to the influential position of chairperson of his sub-region.
The mayor of the local municipality of Umhlathuze, Xolani Ngwezi, may return to his position if the IFP party maintains control over the municipality after his re-election as the party chairperson in the sub-region. Ngwezi, who was previously a Member of Parliament, recently obtained this significant role as the party prepares for local elections.
Thanks to his election as chairperson, campaigns will be led by him and his executive council, which will give him more opportunities for reappointment for a second term should the party win. Responding to his victory on Wednesday, Ngwezi thanked all comrades who entrusted him with the responsibility of leading the party for a second term.
He stated that his duty, along with the collective leadership's duty, is to guide all IFP members, unite the party, and increase its membership to keep the municipality with the party. The IFP does not announce mayoral candidates before the elections; mayors are appointed only after winning in the municipalities.
Ngwezi emphasized that with the support of the public, the IFP will continue to support infrastructure, improve the supply of centralized water and electricity, and ensure these vital services are connected to all residents. He added: 'We are determined to continue our economic growth program and create more jobs. We can truly achieve this and more, given the very solid foundation we have laid during the current term of office.'
The municipality, located on the northern coast of KwaZulu-Natal, is the second largest in the province, surpassed only by eThekwini, and has a budget of 6.4 billion rand. It is expected to be an arena of battle between the IFP, ANC, and the MK party. The municipality is considered one of the strategic territories alongside eThekwini, Munduzi in Pietermaritzburg, and Newcastle due to its large budgets.
Under Ngwezi's leadership, the municipality has consistently received clean audits since the 2021 local government elections. Last year, the municipality received an award for another clean audit for the 2024/25 financial year at the Service Excellence Awards ceremony in Durban. Ngwezi noted that consistent clean audits have contributed to increased business confidence, leading to investments of nearly 1 billion rand. Major investments include the construction of an Eskom gas power station and the expansion and relocation of the airport.
According to the mayor, these and other projects should create additional employment opportunities for local residents. The municipality is home to the Richards Bay port, the deepest in Africa. The port contributes significantly to the provincial gross domestic product through its economic activities, especially coal exports.
Bheki Mtolo, a former ANC KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary, has promised to keep all five municipalities in the Harry Gwala region for the ANC following the local elections scheduled for November.
In an interview conducted on Thursday, Mtolo stated that he is using all his political experience and influence to prevent even one municipality in his region from being captured by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MKP) party. He emphasized that the ANC is not panicking about the potential loss of one of the province's largest strongholds.
During the 2024 general elections, MKP successfully gained a significant share of votes from the ANC in this region. The region includes the municipalities of Johannes Fumani Fungula, Kokstad, Umzimkulu, Dr Nkosasana Dlamini-Zuma, and the Harry Gwala District Municipality. Due to the good results and the fact that the party's national secretary, Sibonelo Nomvalo, hails from this region, many speculate that MKP could displace the ANC and take control of all municipalities, including the Harry Gwala District Municipality.
Despite being removed from office during the reorganization of the provincial executive committee last year, it is reported that he still holds influence in many regions, especially in his home region of Harry Gwala in the southern province. He stated: 'We are not worried about MKP everywhere in the province. In my region, in particular, the party will not win a single municipality. Let's wait until November and see. Tell Nomvalo I will give him all my cattle if his party wins Harry Gwala.'
As a former provincial secretary, Mtolo is expected to assist the party in election campaigns, including in his home region of Harry Gwala. Before being elected to provincial leadership, he managed the region as a secretary for several years. In 2011, he was appointed mayor of Kokstad for two consecutive terms, and in 2021, he was re-elected for a third term, but was forced to resign after being elected provincial secretary in 2022, as this position is full-time. He is also a former provincial secretary of the ANC Youth League.
Both Nomvalo and Mtolo were born in Umzimkulu, but Mtolo later moved to Kokstad, where he became mayor. Umzimkulu, which previously saw many political killings, is expected to be the battleground for control over the Harry Gwala District Municipality between the ANC and MKP. This municipality, with 22 electoral wards, is the largest in the district and previously contributed to the ANC's victory in the district. However, with Nomvalo's prominence as MKP's national secretary, time will tell whether the ANC can hold onto it and the district itself.
