ETHEKWINI Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda has welcomed the City’s admission to the Global Network of Learning Cities. With this rare membership, eThekwini Municipality is joining a global network of cities that are excelling in rolling out lifelong learning programmes to all. 

Credit goes to the Municipal Institute of Learning (MILE) under the eThekwini Municipal Academy (EMA) for this achievement. Among other things when assessing the application, UNESCO looks at the calibre of staff that are the brains behind the learning programmes. They also pay attention to the curriculum of such programmes in comparison with international peers. 

This network is one of the vehicles used by this United Nations agency to meet the mandate of the Sustainable Goal (SDG) 4 (Quality Education). It aims to ensure that cities boast inclusivity, equitability, and quality education. It also calls for cities to promote lifelong learning. Mayor Kaunda said: “It is elating that we have been accepted. Our priority is to
ensure that the City remains an international centre of learning excellence. We believe that accessing education is going to enable residents to make informed decisions that will help our City .” EMA Head Professor Mpilo Ngubane said the admission to this prestigious network of cities is a clear demonstration that the City’s learning initiatives are convincing and are making a huge difference across the globe. “We are very heartened by this news and are determined to continue to catapult the City on the world map. Knowledge is power and we strongly believe imparting knowledge to all will help eThekwini to live up to its vision of being a ‘liveable and caring city by 2030’.”