Municipality Strengthens Ties With Portugal

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba yesterday welcomed the Portuguese Ambassador to South Africa, His Excellency Carlos Costa Neves, and his delegation to Durban.

The visit provided an opportunity to discuss areas of collaboration between eThekwini Municipality and cities in Portugal, with a focus on preserving shared cultural heritage and exploring strategic socioeconomic partnerships.

During the meeting, Mayor Xaba announced plans to relocate the statue of renowned Portuguese writer and poet Fernando Pessoa from the Durban Central Business District to the Durban Botanic Gardens.

Mayor Xaba said the proposed relocation of the Fernando Pessoa monument to the Durban Botanic Gardens, which is Africa’s oldest surviving botanical institution, will ensure its long-term preservation while positioning it within a safer, more accessible tourism and heritage destination.

“Fernando Pessoa occupies a unique place in Durban’s history. He lived in the City during his formative years from 1895 to 1905 and attended Durban High School. It was here that he mastered the English language, a skill that profoundly influenced his early literary works and contributed to his international acclaim,” said Mayor Xaba.

In addition to discussions on cultural heritage, Mayor Xaba and Ambassador Costa Neves agreed to explore formal sister-city partnerships between the City of Durban and the Portuguese cities of Lisbon and Porto.

“These proposed partnerships will strengthen cooperation and promote mutual growth in key sectors such as maritime trade, tourism, municipal infrastructure, and knowledge exchange,” said Mayor Xaba.

Added the Mayor: “As a City, we view these developments as a significant step towards enriching Durban’s cultural landscape while unlocking new opportunities for international trade, investment, and tourism.”

Here’s a version without a direct quotation:

Ambassador Costa Neves welcomed the Municipality’s decision to relocate the Fernando Pessoa statue to the Durban Botanic Gardens, and expressed support for strengthening collaboration between eThekwini and Portuguese cities.