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KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal is a province on the east coast of South Africa, with its capital in Pietermaritzburg. It is the country's second-most populous province and a major economic contributor, accounting for about 16% of national gross domestic product. The province's largest city and economic engine is Durban, which operates Africa's busiest container port and serves as a gateway for trade with Asia and the Indian Ocean rim. Key sectors include manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, logistics and petrochemicals. The province produces significant volumes of sugar cane, timber, maize and citrus, and hosts automotive assembly plants, aluminium smelters and oil refineries. KwaZulu-Natal's coastline and game reserves, including the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and uKhahlamba-Drakensberg mountains, underpin a substantial tourism industry. The province is culturally diverse, with a large Zulu-speaking population and significant Indian and English-speaking communities. Its economy benefits from the Durban–Gauteng freight corridor, one of sub-Saharan Africa's busiest logistics routes. The province was formed in 1994 by merging the former Natal province with the KwaZulu homeland.

KwaZulu-Natal News


The above image depicts a worker operating a crane
Materials handling market sees rapid growth
29th May 2026 By: Lynne Davies

Several key factors, such as the impact of Operation Vulindlela, have seen the materials handling market in Southern Africa undergo a rapid change in recent years, to the extent that the market is... 


Department lays the groundwork for South Africa’s future water security
29th May 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) continues to advance national bulk water and national resource projects across South Africa. During her Budget Vote speech this month, Water and... 


Redefining value through the bioeconomy
Redefining value through the bioeconomy
28th May 2026

Every day, millions of people interact with products made from trees - often without realising it. Whether in the form of packaging, clothing fibres, food additives, or personal care ingredients,... 


Image of a Solenco dehumidifier installed on an interior wall
Managing moisture in modern buildings 
22nd May 2026

Green building standards aim to make modern buildings more energy efficient and airtight. Older buildings are also increasingly being retrofitted to improve energy performance and insulation. While... 


image of dehumidifier in a room
Airtight buildings heighten moisture control challenges
22nd May 2026

Increasing airtightness in modern buildings is creating a growing moisture management risk that is not always addressed in design, says air treatment technology specialist Solenco. Buildings are... 


IFISA's Mohale Rakgate and the IFC's Cláudia Conceição signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to strengthen project preparation, improve bankability, and accelerate the delivery of high-impact infrastructure.
New initiative aims to grow pipeline of ‘bankable’ water and sanitation projects
22nd May 2026 By: Terence Creamer

A newly formed government agency set up to mobilise private sector participation in public infrastructure has concluded a cooperation agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in a... 


King Shaka International Airport
King Shaka International Airport playing major role in KwaZulu-Natal economy
22nd May 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Airports Company South Africa has highlighted that May 1 marked the sixteenth anniversary of Durban’s King Shaka International Airport (KSIA), which is now the country’s third busiest airport. KSIA... 




POWER POSER: The Hillside Aluminium smelter in KwaZulu-Natal marked its thirtieth anniversary this month, while indicating that it is seeking another competitive long-term electricity agreement to sustain operations. Hillside’s current negotiated pricing agreement has been key to the business, but has also proved controversial for its opacity and for having been sustained while other consumers faced steep hikes and power cuts. As with other electricity intensive operations in South Africa, Hillside wants both a low tariff and progressively cleaner supply.
POWER POSER:
22nd May 2026

The Hillside Aluminium smelter in KwaZulu-Natal marked its thirtieth anniversary this month, while indicating that it is seeking another competitive long-term electricity agreement to sustain... 


Artisan Training image
Why Artisan Training Institute is leading South Africa’s skills revolution
22nd May 2026

South Africa stands at a dangerous crossroads. Industries are crippled by severe skills shortages, while thousands of young people remain unemployed or underemployed. The National Development Plan... 


Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
Ramokgopa visits Tronox smelter in push to revive industrial growth
19th May 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

South Africa’s efforts to stabilise energy supply and support industrial recovery were highlighted during Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s visit to titanium feedstock... 


Nersa aims to make ferrochrome tariff call by end May as it launches public consultations
Nersa aims to make ferrochrome tariff call by end May as it launches public consultations
15th May 2026 By: Terence Creamer

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has set aside May 25 for public hearings into Eskom’s application to amend negotiated pricing agreements (NPAs) with Samancor Chrome and... 


Image of South Africa map/flag
Titanium beneficiation complex, South Africa – update
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The proposed project entails the construction of a titanium beneficiation facility for the manufacturing of titanium pigment. 


Transport Minister Barbara Creecy
Creecy highlights private prospects in freight logistics on eve of rail announcement
12th May 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that major private sector participation (PSP) projects in the freight logistics sector will be brought to market in the current financial year and... 


The Hillside smelter
Hillside marks 30 years amid push for long-term power solution
8th May 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Diversified miner South32’s Hillside Aluminium smelter in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, could continue operating for another 20 to 30 years if a competitive long-term electricity agreement is... 


Image of a graph
Interactive tool gives insights into grid reliability across S African municipalities
8th May 2026

A publicly available dataset reveals wide disparities in grid reliability across South Africa’s municipalities — with the average power outage lasting under 2 hours in some areas and exceeding 24... 


An image of Johann Nell
Private investor’s role in logistics renewal spotlighted
8th May 2026

In an opinion piece, real estate investment trust Redefine Properties national asset manager and development head Johann Nell noted that the transport and shipping narratives in South Africa are... 


Image of a box of rare-earth samples
Zulti South project, South Africa
8th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Mineral sands producer Richards Bay Minerals plans to start construction on the project imminently. 


Image of Kangra processing plant
Menar coal projects, South Africa – update
8th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Menar, through its subsidiaries, will have the capability to produce almost 20-million tons of coal a year from 2025. 


Rittal’s Repair and Maintenance Services Drive Up to 30% Boost in System Efficiency
Rittal’s Repair and Maintenance Services Drive Up to 30% Boost in System Efficiency
5th May 2026

(Virtual Showroom) Following the expansion of its local sales and services network, Rittal South Africa continues to offer comprehensive on-site installation, repair and maintenance services to... 


Nersa aims to make ferrochrome tariff call by end May as it launches public consultations
Nersa aims to make ferrochrome tariff call by end May as it launches public consultations
28th April 2026 By: Terence Creamer

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has set aside May 25 for public hearings into Eskom’s application to amend negotiated pricing agreements (NPAs) with Samancor Chrome and... 


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