Durban was applauded when it celebrated receiving the Govan Mbeki Award by the Human Settlement Ministry.
Although the announcement of the award was made in May, the city held a small function to celebrate the achievement at the City Hall on Tuesday.
eThekwini won in the category of best metropolitan in the country.
Mayor James Nxumalo, who represented the city at the Joburg function, presented the R600 000 cheque, a laptop, certificate, and a gold trophy to executive committee at the ceremony.
“We are very excited that our municipality has been honoured in this category of human settlement in the country. we are encouraged to do even better,” said Nxumalo.
During the ceremony in Joburg, Human Settlement Minister, Tokyo Sexwale, said that the awards were the highest expression of appreciating excellence.