Page 7 - Business Sense-11.3 Rajesh Lutchman eBook

SHAPING TOMORROW’S DURBAN

Insights from Invest to harness the potential of area where the tugs boats are.
Durban’s Russell Curtis this prime area. “The current We’ve been through a planning
administration has reconfirmed exercise with visionary
ussell Curtis, this is the golden goose. In fact, architects and are engaging with
representing it’s the golden heart of the golden current inner-city investors and
RInvest Durban, goose. So, we have to double property redevelopers.”
recently shared down on our efforts to clean the The new Durban Bay Marina
insights into feathers, to feed the goose, and to is part of a broader vision that
the city’s bold have her laying golden eggs every links to the MSC-Nelson Mandela
steps toward single day.” Cruise Terminal, and around to
inner city To this end, the city has the elevated promenade on the
rejuvenation. established Inner City Indian Ocean. “It’s a complete
Speaking passionately about the Regeneration (ICR) work streams. link from the Umgeni mouth,
transformation underway, Curtis “We as the executives are sitting which will ultimately come
outlined both the vision and the every single Tuesday afternoon, around the Durban harbour, past
tangible progress being made in sometimes past dinner time, the cruise line terminal, and then Courtesy of eThekwini Municipality
downtown Durban. much to the chagrin of our link up all the way along what
families. But it’s for a good cause, some might know as Victoria
“It’s no secret that every city
goes through its heyday, and working on all of the key issues Embankment, now renamed
then certain parts of bigger in that inner city regeneration,” Margaret Mncadi Avenue.”
cities go into various forms of said Curtis. “Whether it be Curtis highlighted recent
decline,” he explained. “But the beachfront, crime issues, international recognition. “We
those then become platforms homelessness, derelict buildings, just returned from the Global
of opportunity for people with public sanitation facilities, Superyacht Congress in Tuscany,
vision and determination to pavement maintenance, or parks Italy. The International Marinas
and greening. We have over a
grab hold of that latent value, Association was also present. We
that embedded opportunity, to dozen work streams focusing invited them to Durban last year
reinvest, double down on the on that inner city regeneration.” just to come and have a look, and
Some of our ardent critics have
efforts, and then ride the upside now been posting positively when they came, they were blown
of capital appreciation. The same away. So much so, they invited
is happening right now with the and regularly on social media, Durban to be the sole city profiled
endorsing the visible and
broader CBD of Durban.” at the Superyacht Congress,
sustained improvements.
Curtis provided context about “One of the terms some stating they really want to partner Courtesy of eThekwini Municipality
with us in transforming the new
the size and scope of the city. Durbanites may have heard in Durban Bay Marina.”
“For those who don’t know, our this process is the ‘Woza Basket’ significant competition amongst traction in those spaces – for
city, the eThekwini metropolitan of investments – ‘woza’ meaning A 3D flyover of the project those investors trying to find our children’s benefit and our
region, it’s about two and a half come, come and see what we’ve has already been created by the worst buildings they can, to grandchildren’s benefit.”
thousand square kilometres, with got in our inner-city basket international and local partners. acquire them, turn them around,
four and a half million people and of investment opportunities. “It allows one to start dreaming – and reinvest in downtown As the city of Durban continues
100 kilometres of golden beaches Currently, one of the standout like the Dubai Marina times five, Durban. Investment actions are its journey of rejuvenation, Curtis
on the Indian Ocean.” actually,” Curtis remarked. left one final thought: “Watch this
projects is the proposed massive like “herd mentality”. Once one
A central focus of the inner-city redevelopment along the CBD- He emphasised that this is or two come, then the herd takes CBD space.” 
efforts has been the revitalisation Port edge, the various small craft not merely a dream. “We have notice and starts moving in the
of the beachfront. “Many would harbours – these to become a very real interest from those same, good direction.” Russell Curtis
know of the Golden Mile. It’s truly world-class Durban Bay who want to use it from a Curtis closed with a call to E: Russell.Curtis@durban.gov.za
actually not a mile. It’s nearly ten Marina experience,” Curtis said. tourism, leisure, and hospitality action and a vision for the W: www.invest.durban | www.durban.gov.za
kilometres now that we’ve built He described the marina as perspective, as well as from future. “It’s around partnerships.
a world-class, well-lit and safe the interface between Durban’s those who want to invest in the We need to continue to remain
promenade from the Umgeni skyline and the working commerce and industry aspects servant-hearted, humble,
River all the way through to the harbour. “It is where we have of marina development.” thinking of others more highly
Durban harbour mouth,” he said. the yacht mall, the yachting Curtis also pointed out a than ourselves. We need to
The city and business clubs, the motorised yachts, growing trend among CBD push the boundaries of being
leadership are determined and the Port Harbour Master’s investors. “There is now efficient, impactful, and getting

ETHEKWINI REMAINS IN GOOD FINANCIAL STANDING

ith the backing of Mbhele convened the media “It is important for us to eThekwini remains in good statement that the Municipality is
international rating briefing at City Hall, where regularly engage with you, financial standing. “We are the ‘turning the corner.’
Wagencies, who have he addressed pertinent the members of the media, highest ranked municipality
The City Manager also noted
rated eThekwini as the highest eThekwini administration so that we can share the among the eight Metropolitan that the improved level of
performing municipality on issues, including a range of strides our beautiful City municipalities. This is backed by
financial management among pressing matters and notable is making, particularly on international rating agencies,” cleanliness across the City reflects
the eight Metros in the country, achievements that demonstrate the development and service he said. the gains made by the ongoing
the City remains in good the Municipality’s ongoing delivery front,” he said. efforts to beautify eThekwini.
financial standing. commitment to service Mbhele reaffirmed the City’s “We are also ensuring that
delivery, sound governance, Mbhele highlighted the objective of attaining a clean the public realm is well taken
This was the firm reassurance and legal compliance. eThekwini Municipality’s audit, saying the administration
from eThekwini City Manager impressive economic performance, is working diligently towards care of, with clean and well-
Musa Mbhele during a media Mbhele opened the revealing that the City has that goal. maintained spaces throughout
briefing on 12 June. engagement by reaffirming the City,” he said.
the City’s mission to successfully created 70,000 jobs, “We are confident that the Mbhele, along with the
“We also maintain a healthy maintain transparency and which is more than any other direction we are taking will
revenue collection rate of 93 consistent communication metropolitan municipality in the lead us to achieve that status,” City’s Director of Legal and
percent and continue to receive with its constituencies and country, according to Statistics he assured. Compliance Directorate Malusi
unqualified audit opinions stakeholders, including South Africa. Mhlongo also provided clarity
from the Auditor-General,” residents and the media. Mbhele also referred to President on the City’s official response to
said Mbhele. He proudly announced that Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent recent legal matters. 

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