Durban: KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has called for unified and coordinated action across all spheres of government, warning that fragmented approaches continue to undermine service delivery and erode public confidence. Speaking at the Special Premier's Coordinating Forum (PCF) at the Archie Gumede Conference Centre in Durban, Ntuli emphasized the need for sharper alignment between national, provincial, and local structures to improve developmental outcomes.
According to South African Government News Agency, the forum convened national, provincial, and local political champions, Members of the Executive Council, mayors, municipal leaders, Amakhosi, civil society representatives, and the private sector. The gathering aimed to strengthen cooperation and ensure strategic alignment across government. This session followed the Special Extended President's Coordinating Council held on 18 September 2025, where President Cyril Ramaphosa urged all spheres of government to strengthen coherence and reinforced joint planning and implementation.
In response, KwaZulu-Natal convened the expanded PCF to clarify roles, streamline responsibilities, and enhance the District Development Model (DDM) as the foundation for integrated planning. Ntuli stressed that the PCF remains a critical platform for aligning government strategies, addressing systemic challenges, and ensuring that national, provincial, and municipal programs complement each other. A key focus of the meeting was the institutionalization of the DDM.
'The DDM is not simply a coordination tool but a practical mechanism for synchronizing planning, mobilizing resources, and ensuring that all spheres work collectively through the One Plan for each district and metro. The bi-annual reports on DDM progress must now be submitted to both the President's Coordinating Council and Cabinet, strengthening accountability and oversight,' the Premier stated.
Local government capacity featured prominently in Ntuli's address. He emphasized that municipalities are the frontline of service delivery and must be strengthened to fulfill their constitutional mandate. 'The province is prioritizing support for municipalities to improve financial management, stabilize governance, enhance infrastructure planning and accelerate investment in water, sanitation, electricity distribution, road maintenance, and climate-resilient development,' Ntuli said.
The Premier further highlighted community safety, social cohesion, and crime prevention as essential drivers of sustainable local development. He committed the province to deeper collaboration with SAPS, traditional leaders, Community Policing Forums, youth formations, faith-based organizations, and civil society to build safer communities and protect economic activity.
Ntuli also underscored the need for stronger partnerships beyond government, including with traditional institutions, the private sector, academia, and development partners, to ensure that solutions are rooted in community realities and that implementation benefits from diverse expertise. Encouraging open and constructive dialogue during the session, he urged stakeholders to reflect honestly on successes, shortcomings, and opportunities for strengthening intergovernmental coordination.
The forum marked the beginning of a renewed cycle of collaboration and implementation, with Ntuli calling for continuous communication and mutual support beyond the meeting. Closing the session, Premier Ntuli expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their commitment to building a coordinated, capable, and developmental state. He reaffirmed the provincial government's dedication to strengthening intergovernmental relations and ensuring that the people of KwaZulu-Natal feel the impact of aligned planning, unified governance, and collaborative leadership.
The Special Premier's Coordinating Forum will continue its work through structured engagements and follow-up sessions to monitor progress, implement decisions, and support the realization of KwaZulu-Natal's developmental priorities.