In a few days, delegates from across South Africa, the continent and the Diaspora will gather at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC for reSURGEnce Durban 2026. If this is your first time, welcome. You are joining a movement built on one idea: that access to capital, markets, information and partnerships can change the future of Black and under-represented businesses.
Four days go by fast. The delegates who get the most from reSURGEnce are the ones who arrive prepared, stay curious and follow up afterwards. Here’s how to be one of them.
Before you arrive
Set two or three clear goals
Ask yourself what success looks like by the end of the week. It might be meeting three potential investors, finding a supplier, exploring an export partnership, or learning how government procurement works. Write your goals down. They will help you decide which sessions to attend and who to approach.
Study the programme and speakers
The programme includes the KZN Site Visits and Investment Opportunities tour, the Mayoral Reception, the Economic Revival and Pan-African Dialogue, and full days of conference sessions and exhibitions. Check the schedule and mark the sessions that match your goals.
Look up the speakers too. Knowing that Kampala’s Lord Mayor will speak on cities, or that Silicon Harlem’s Clayton Banks works on digital infrastructure, helps you ask better questions and start better conversations.
Prepare your introduction
You will introduce yourself dozens of times. Practise a 30-second version that covers who you are, what your business does and what you are looking for. End with a question that invites a conversation.
Get your materials ready
- Business cards, or a QR code that links to your contact details
- A one-page business summary, saved as a PDF on your phone
- An updated LinkedIn profile, since many people will look you up after meeting you
- Product samples, if you make something people can see or taste
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothing. Durban in late October is mild, with daytime highs of around 23°C (74°F).
- Business attire for conference days and the Mayoral Reception. [Editor: confirm the reception dress code.]
- Comfortable walking shoes for the ICC and the site visits.
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. The sun is strong even when it doesn’t feel hot.
- A plug adaptor. South African sockets are different from those in the US and UK.
- A power bank. You will use your phone all day.
For international delegates
- Visas. US citizens do not need a visa for business or tourist stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your departure date. Delegates from other countries should check the requirements for their passport.
- Money. The currency is the South African rand (ZAR). Cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for small purchases and tips.
- Health. Make sure routine vaccinations are up to date, and consult your doctor about hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines.
- Connectivity. Buying a local SIM or eSIM on arrival is usually cheaper than international roaming.
- Language. English is widely spoken. You will also hear isiZulu, the most widely spoken home language in KwaZulu-Natal. A simple Sawubona (hello) goes a long way.
Making the most of the four days
Arrive early, stay late
The best conversations often happen before the first session and after the last one. Coffee breaks and lunch are not downtime. They are networking time.
Sit with people you don’t know
It’s natural to stay with your colleagues or travel group. Resist it. Sit at a new table each meal and introduce yourself to the people beside you in sessions.
Ask questions in sessions
Asking a thoughtful question during Q&A makes you visible to the speaker and to everyone in the room. People will approach you afterwards.
Walk the exhibitions properly
The reSURGEnce Durban Exhibitions showcase local businesses and innovation. Take time to talk to exhibitors. They may become your suppliers, partners or customers. If you are visiting from abroad, this is one of the best ways to discover what Durban and KwaZulu-Natal produce.
Take the site visits seriously
The KZN Site Visits introduce real projects seeking investment partners. Come with questions about timelines, funding structures and how outside investors and businesses can get involved.
Make notes after every conversation
After each meaningful conversation, write a quick note on your phone: the person’s name, what you discussed and the next step. By day four you will have met more people than you can remember.
Look after yourself
Conferences are exhausting. Drink water, eat properly and get some sleep. Plan at least one quiet hour each day to recharge and review your notes. Use registered transport services, keep valuables out of sight and follow the advice of your hosts, as you would in any major city.
After reSURGEnce: the follow-up
This is where most of the value is won or lost.
- Within 48 hours, send a short personal message to everyone you want to stay in touch with. Mention something specific from your conversation.
- Within one week, propose a concrete next step: a call, a meeting, a sample or a proposal.
- Within one month, review your goals. What progress have you made? Who do you need to follow up with again?
The real point
reSURGEnce describes itself as a movement, not just a conference. Its purpose is to move from conversation to action. The theme, Decreasing Barriers by Increasing Access, is only realised when delegates turn the connections they make in Durban into partnerships, deals and growth.
We can’t wait to welcome you.
Questions before you travel? Call +1 718-638-6397 (US) or +27 84 843 6537 (South Africa), or email info@resurgenceconference.com.
