Durban ICC celebrates major achievements of 2023

The Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) hosted a successful media breakfast, on Wednesday morning, to release its annual report and celebrate the centre’s major achievements during the 2022/23 financial year.

The event brought together key stakeholders and media representatives to highlight the Durban ICC’s financial performance, prestigious accolades, and significant contributions to the economy and its communities.

Lindiwe Rakharebe, chief executive officer of the Durban ICC, commented, “We are thrilled to share our major achievements with the media and our stakeholders. These accomplishments are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, as well as our commitment to driving economic growth and community development.”

Among the major achievements highlighted at the media breakfast was its remarkable recovery in its financial performance.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Durban ICC demonstrated a remarkable recovery in its financial performance during the 2022/23 financial year.

The entity reported a substantial increase in revenue, reflecting a positive trajectory and a return to pre-pandemic trading conditions. The centre posted a top-line revenue figure of R180 million, representing a 65 percent improvement from the previous year’s revenue of R109 million.

Additionally, the Durban ICC proudly announced its achievement of receiving a clean, unqualified audit opinion for the ninth year from the Auditor General of South Africa.

Commenting on this accomplishment, the entity’s chief financial officer, Melanie Rambally, said, “This achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to sound financial management, transparency, and accountability, and underscores our steadfast dedication to upholding the highest standards of governance and integrity in all our operations.”

This past year, the Durban ICC also achieved a perfect score of 100 percent on its performance scorecard with its shareholder, the eThekwini Municipality.

The entity continued to deliver on its mandate to generate positive economic impact, job creation and raise brand awareness for the destination by meeting and exceeding its key performance indicators.

The centre made a significant contribution to the economy, with a contribution of R5, 7 billion to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the 2022/23 financial year. 

Additionally, the centre created and/or sustained over 11, 000 jobs, further boosting the country’s economic recovery and development.

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The centre’s chief operations officer, John Aritho announced the prestigious accolades the Durban ICC had received at the World Travel Awards and World MICE Awards, reaffirming its position as a leader in the global meetings and events industry.

The centre was recognised for its excellence as ‘Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre’ and ‘South Africa’s Best Convention Centre.’

Aritho went on to share the centre’s significant contribution to its communities through its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) projects.

These projects aimed to uplift and support local communities, aligning with King IV, the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development and the centre’s commitment to corporate social responsibility.

The event was attended by board chairperson, Dr Mduduzi Bophela and board committee chairperson for finance, Ms Linda Ngcobo.

Key stakeholders in attendance were also representatives from the eThekwini Municipality including deputy city manager, Dr Musa Gumede, head of mayoral parlour, Muzi Sithole, Shannon Tulsiram, head of economic development and investment promotion, and Eric Apelgren, head of international and governance relations.