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Ntuli launches fibre pilot at Empangeni housing development

Published

The pilot lays fibre infrastructure for 405 households under construction at the Empangeni Phase 1A Housing Development. It is a partnership between the KwaZulu-Natal government, Huawei and Openserve, and was launched in Richards Bay on Thursday.

Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli launched the project. He said: "We are constructing pathways to opportunity, to connectivity, and to inclusion."

Huawei Solution Manager Li Yanbang said installing fibre during or before road construction can cut costs. He said it also stops later excavation from damaging roads.

Charles Cheng of Huawei South Africa said fibre pre-provisioning should be considered for municipal building codes and the national housing strategy. The approach aims to cut the cost of installing connectivity later. It could serve as a model for similar housing developments across South Africa.

Key facts

Who
Thamsanqa Ntuli (KwaZulu-Natal Premier); Xolani Ngwezi (uMhlathuze Local Municipality Mayor); Lindani Khoza (KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements Chief Director); Rendani Musetha (Chief Director for Digital Government at the Department of Communications and…)
What
The project was launched in Richards Bay on Thursday and is being implemented at the Empangeni Phase 1A Housing Development, where 405 households are under construction.
When
22 October 2026
Where
Empangeni, Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Status
Reported

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