'From the dual perspective of human need and the imperative to foster economic opportunities and growth, cities must be the critical sites of development.'

'U

Urban development lies at the heart of a productive society

RBAN development lies at the heart of the country’s vision of a productive, democratic and non‐racial society.

'While cities generate 80% of the country’s wealth and have higher than average economic growth rates, they also house the largest concentrations of poverty with 40% of the urban population living under the poverty line. More than half the people who are unemployed in South Africa live in cities.

'So, from the dual perspective of human need and the imperative to foster economic opportunities and growth, cities must be the critical sites of development intervention in the second decade of democracy.' (A Business Plan Framework for the South African Cities Network 2006‐2011,2)

With this in mind, it makes sense that the primary drivers of the SACN are the nine member cities.

Our members

Buffalo City (East London, King William's Town and Bhisho)
The local government structure of Buffalo City takes in the three major towns of East London, King William's Town and Bhisho. Some 880 000 people live here.
News stories from Buffalo City.

City of Cape Town
This widespread and culturally diverse city is the seat of the South African Parliament.
News stories from Cape Town.

Ekurhuleni (Kempton Park and Germiston through to Springs and Daveyton)
The metropolitan municipality is the industrial heartland of South Africa, with more than 8 000 industries represented. It is home to more than 2.5-million people.
News stories from Ekurhuleni.

eThekwini, a view from the ocean

City of eThekwini (Durban)
The large municipal area of eThekwini covers almost 2 300km² and is home to more than 3 million people.
News stories from eThekwini.

City of Johannesburg
Seen as the economic hub of the country, Johannesburg is home to a vast number of multinational and national corporations. It is also a magnet for job seekers from all over the country and beyond our borders.
News stories from Johannesburg.

Mangaung Municipality (Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu)
Located in the centre of South Africa, Mangaung is the judicial capital of the country. It is also in the centre of one of the largest maize producing regions in southern Africa.
News stories from Manguang.

Msunduzi Municipality (Pietermaritzburg)
Located in the rolling midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, this municipality has both rural and urban populations.
News stories from Msunduzi.

Nelson Mandela Metro (Port Elizabeth)
Home to several motor industry manufacturing plants, Port Elizabeth has a busy port on the eastern seaboard of South Africa.
News stories from Nelson Mandela Metropole.

City of Tshwane (Pretoria)
This metropolitan municipality is the home of the administrative capital of the country, with many government services housed here. It is also the base of many diplomatic missions.
News stories from Tshwane.

Other partners

We also work closely with all spheres of government and are therefore in a position to serve as a vehicle for the promotion of city development strategies as a tool for urban development.

• South African Local Government Association (SALGA)
• Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
• Department of Trade and Industry