KZN EDTEA MEC Rev. Musa Zondi Rallies Stakeholders to Drive Inclusive Growth and Job Creation
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Reverend Musa Zondi, has issued a powerful call to action for government, business, academia, and development finance institutions to forge stronger partnerships aimed at unlocking investment and accelerating economic growth across the province.
Speaking at the department’s Post-Budget Speech Business Breakfast in Umhlanga, Zondi unpacked the newly tabled 2026/27 provincial budget.
He emphasised that the budget serves as a practical roadmap designed to take economic opportunities directly to ordinary citizens under the theme: “Taking the Economy to the People: Delivering Inclusive Growth and Opportunities Across KwaZulu-Natal.”
Despite persistent global economic headwinds, Zondi expressed firm confidence in the resilience of the provincial economy.
“The world economy continues to face significant challenges, but history has shown that periods of uncertainty also present opportunities,” Zondi stated. “KwaZulu-Natal has never been a province that waits for opportunity; we create it.”
Zondi outlined several core strategic priorities aimed at future-proofing the province, including, Industrial Expansion: Leveraging Special Economic Zones (SEZs) like the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone and Dube TradePort to drive growth, Infrastructure & Logistics: Strengthening transport and supply chain networks to boost efficiency, Grassroots Economics: Actively supporting manufacturing while intentionally growing township and rural economies and Sustainability: Unlocking new frontiers in the green economy.
Zondi stressed that sustainable economic transformation cannot be achieved by the state operating in isolation.
He highlighted the distinct, vital roles that different sectors must play to catalyse development, The Private Sector: Remaining the primary driver of sustainable job creation, Municipalities: Eliminating red tape to improve the ease of doing business and create investor-friendly environments, Development Finance Institutions: Providing the necessary capital to unlock
