AMIDST ongoing service delivery failures, the eThekwini Municipality's plan to allocate R2.8 million for a rebranding project has ignited outrage among political parties and ratepayer associations, who argue that funds should be redirected to urgent infrastructure needs.

Thabani Mthethwa, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) caucus leader in eThekwini, said the party has launched a petition to oppose the city's decision to proceed with the costly project.

“We demand that these funds be redirected toward essential services. We call on the residents and businesses of eThekwini to support our petition to stop the rebranding. The petition will be submitted to the council to ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely and in the best interest of the people.”

Mthethwa said the project comes at a time when eThekwini was facing serious financial challenges and service delivery failures.

“Since the initial proposal to change the city’s logo was approved in 2017, we have been vocal in our opposition, arguing that there was no need for such an expensive and unnecessary exercise. Now, in 2025, the municipality is pushing ahead with this ill-advised project, despite the fact that eThekwini is still recovering from multiple crises, including the economic impact of Covid-19, five catastrophic floods, ongoing power outages, water shortages, and a failing infrastructure network.

“Instead of wasting money on a logo change, the municipality should be using every available cent to fix our broken infrastructure, improve service delivery, and combat rampant corruption,” he said.

Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi, leader of the Minority Front (MF), said the ring-fencing of the R2.8 million rebranding project was supported by political parties in 2017.

“The MF’s position at the time was to agree with the proviso that a thorough public consultation process should be undertaken, especially with regard to the emblem to be chosen that reflects the city’s cultural diversity.

“However, it is a glaring fact that in 2025, eight years down the line, development needs have changed. The MF’s reviewed decision is that currently we have to weigh what is of public interest, and service delivery to residents is critical. Therefore, the R 2.8 million would be better spent if this budget was shifted to infrastructure spend,” she said.

Visvin Reddy, an uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party member of parliament said the party has expressed outrage by the city decisions - at a time when the city was “literally falling apart”.

“This is not just a waste of public funds, it is a grotesque display of misplaced priorities by a leadership that seems more concerned with branding than basic service delivery.

“While communities are choking on the stench of raw sewage, surviving without water, and suffering daily power failures, the city thinks a new logo will fix it all. It is like painting a house while the foundations are collapsing; the problem is not the appearance, it is the rot beneath. You don’t redesign the logo of a broken city, you fix the city,” he said.

Ish Prahladh, president of the eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association, said: “This is really not something that is needed by the residents of eThekwini. Service delivery means fixing infrastructure and not throwing away millions for unwarranted usage. Heads must now roll and this must be stopped immediately.”

Daya Naidoo, chairperson of the Merebank Ratepayers Association, said the city was currently grappling with a severe breakdown in service delivery, as ageing infrastructure across multiple sectors continues to deteriorate due to years of neglect and a lack of necessary upgrades and maintenance.

“A critical example of this is the monthly loss of over 40% of water from Umgeni due to burst pipes, an issue that urgently requires attention and prioritisation. Furthermore, sewage systems are equally under strain, with raw sewage frequently flowing through streets and yards for days, sometimes even weeks, before being addressed.

“The community bears the devastating impact, enduring not only the foul stench from the piles of uncollected refuse, but also severe environmental damage, including harm to the ocean life. This, in turn, is devastating the livelihoods of local fishermen who depend on these waters,” he said.

Naidoo said in addition, while the country is facing a critical energy shortage, the municipality has opted to leave streetlights on day and night, as a measure to prevent cable theft.

“Residents are left disappointed with grass and verges only being cut on an adhoc basis, despite repeated requests. The situation worsens when cut grass clogs stormwater drains, causing blockages and flooding in homes, an issue made worse by the lack of regular maintenance on these vital systems.

“Sadly, the municipality’s approach to these challenges is reactive rather than proactive. Community efforts to engage with local authorities are met with excuses, ranging from ‘insufficient budget’ to ‘lack of infrastructure’, with no tangible action being taken. This ongoing crisis requires immediate attention and intervention if we are to avoid further damage to both our environment and the wellbeing of residents,” he said.