The KwaZulu-Natal Route Development Committee is currently embarking on a series of in-country activations with the goal of increasing direct connectivity with KwaZulu-Natal to regional and international hubs. Better connectivity will create opportunities that unlock King Shaka International Airport's (KSIA) full potential as an airport of choice for passengers and cargo alike.
The Durban Direct team, whose core mandate is to facilitate direct flights to and from Durban, in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Embassy in SA and Zimbabwe, FastJet Airlines, the Zambia Development Agency, the Tourism Council of Zambia, ProFlight-Zambia and the Zambia Tourism Agency, will embark on a mission to Bulawayo and Harare in Zimbabwe and Lusaka in Zambia, in September 2024.
The mission aims to further strengthen air connectivity between the cities of Harare and Lusaka with Durban. Another aim is to foster business-to-business engagements to enhance investment as well as trade and tourism between the cities.
At present, the route between Durban and Harare is serviced by one airline, Airlink which commenced operations in KSIA in April 2022 with twice a week frequency, which has recently increased in frequency to six times a week. The intention is to continue to grow this route to seven times a week. FastJet (who owns FedAir), a major airline in Zimbabwe, has also been contacted for potential connectivity to Durban.
Zambia’s leading regional airline Proflight Zambia relaunched its direct Lusaka-Durban route in April 2023. The airline operates direct flights between the cities on Mondays and Fridays.
The delegation comprises representatives from the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs; Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal; Tourism KwaZulu-Natal; Invest Durban; Durban Tourism; Dube TradePort; and Airports Company South Africa.
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Rev. Musa Zondi said, “This mission aims to strengthen our air connectivity within the African continent as well as contribute to our goals of facilitating more intra-Africa trade opportunities including travel and tourism between our cities.”
Participating Businesses
The Durban Direct delegation will be accompanied by 11 KwaZulu-Natal-based businesses from various sectors, including retail, manufacturing, agriculture, agri-processing, public administration, and mining. These businesses are:
Angel Footwear: Offers high-quality, locally manufactured footwear. Products are 100% leather and proudly South African.
Bazobona Supply Chain Management: Specialises in geosynthetics, offering a range of products such as geotextiles, gabions, and soil reinforcement, with the ability to customise according to project needs.
Candlelight Bags & Covers: Established in 1994, the business has expanded from upholstery to include the repair and manufacture of Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC) and slings.
East Coast Boards: Aims to expand its market by collaborating with local partners in Zimbabwe and Zambia. The company supplies high-quality melamine and foiled finished paper boards.
Gardinia Coal: Holds a strategic advantage due to its proximity to the Durban and Richards Bay port terminals, located 350km away.
Gugu Mobile Boutique: Offers high-quality traditional African crafts, known for their customisation and exceptional craftsmanship.
I Am Flourish: New to the African market, the company’s products blend fashion with functionality, aiming to fill a unique niche.
Labora Shoes: Designs and produces shoes for leading South African retailers. The factory produces over 200,000 pairs of shoes per month, catering to a range of market needs from everyday wear to high fashion.
Phungela: Offers consulting, communications, and technology services, specialising in software solutions and business transformation.
SAMAC Engineering Solutions: Provides thermal energy storage technology to help businesses stabilise temperatures and reduce energy costs.
Sluvin Trading: Features a unique product line that appeals to both tourists and locals with its vibrant colours, patterns, and styles.
Tourism and Investment Events
The delegation will host a series of Tourism and Investment Events:
Bulawayo: Monday, 16 September
Harare: Tuesday, 17 September
Lusaka: Wednesday, 18 September
Russell Curtis, Head of Invest Durban, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “Durban has a Sister City Agreement with Bulawayo, and I believe that this visit, by providing opportunities for business-to-business engagements, will make our partnership even stronger.”
Stakeholders are invited to participate in these dynamic business-to-business engagement sessions.
For more information, please contact Sbongile Nxumalo at Sbongile@tikzn.co.za.
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