Durban launches endless waves of tranquility summer campaign

 

NONDUDUZO NGCONGO

THE City is the place to be this summer. And to further position Durban as a destination of choice, eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba unveiled the City’s summer campaign ‘Endless waves of tranquillity’ on 11 September.

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba unveiled the City's summer campaign on 11 September at the Coastal Beach Resort. Mayor Xaba said projections indicate over 1,3 million visitors will flock to the City during the 2024/25 summer season. | Picture: THULI DLAMINI. 

The launch took place at the Coastal Beach Resort that overlooks Umgababa Beach, which is considered one of the City’s tourism hidden gems.

Addressing the media and industry stakeholders, Mayor Xaba said such campaigns are crucial in marketing destination Durban. He said the launch will kickstart a series of destination promotion roadshows on digital platforms and through media to ensure the message reaches a wider audience.

“The campaign aims to unpack our festive season plans including holiday packages and safety measures that will be implemented. We encourage tourists to start booking their summer holidays in Durban. Through this campaign we want to ensure an increase in the projected number of visitors to Durban.”

Picture: THULI DLAMINI.

Mayor Xaba revealed that projections indicate over Durban launches endless waves of tranquillity summer campaign 1.3 million visitors will flock to eThekwini during the 2024/25 summer season.

“An occupancy rate of more than 65 percent is estimated. The direct spend is expected to be around R2.5 million contributing approximately R6.3 million to the GDP, while creating about 11 423 employment opportunities. Tourism is one sector which has a multiplier effect on the economy. This is one of the main reasons we fully support tourism promotion initiatives,” he added.

This, said Mayor Xaba, is testament that the City continues to support employment creation in the tourism sector. He cited the Coastal Beach Resort as an example, saying the establishment started in 2015 as a Shisanyama and by 2021 had developed into a fully-fledged resort offering 25 accommodation rooms, a restaurant, lounge, pool and was an events venue for hire. He said the resort has created 11 employment opportunities.

Destination promotion activations that Durban Tourism will be embarking on were also unpacked during the launch. This includes route development discussions for Zambia and Zimbabwe taking place from 12 to 16 September, an international tourism trade show in Europe from 16 to 20 September, and market roadshows taking place across Gauteng from 19 to 22 September.

Issues of safety and security were also highlighted to reassure visitors and residents that their safety is a priority. Mayor Xaba highlighted the progress of smart policing explaining how the City will use technology to proactively prevent crime.

During the launch, attendees experienced some of the activities offered at the resort such as horse riding along the beachfront. Nearby tourism offerings were also highlighted such as shark diving, Splash Waterworld, deep sea fishing, African Watersports Aliwal and more.

The upcoming Blue Economy Week, from 24 to 28 September, activation was also held on the day. The week aims to showcase coastal and ocean resources and activities to promote economic growth.

Mayor Xaba intervenes to resolve water challenges in the North

 

Mayor Xaba intervenes to resolve 

water challenges in the North 

ETHEKWINI Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba, together with the uMngeni-uThukela Water board member Diana Hoorzuk, conducted a site inspection at the Durban Heights Water Treatment Works following the interruption of water supply in the northern parts of the City. The prolonged water interruption was due to algae growth which was contained in raw water from Inanda Dam. This resulted in the clogging of filters at Durban Heights Water Treatment Works, causing reduction in the quantity of treated water. 

''Our visit to this water treatment plant was necessitated by calls we have received from residents complaining about the lack of water in the northern parts of the City for a considerable number of days. As the leadership, we saw it appropriate to visit the plant to see first-hand what the challenges are,'' said Mayor Xaba. 

The Durban Heights Reservoir is critical for the supply of water in eThekwini as it provides 590 megalitres of water per day. Mayor Xaba said he was grateful that the management of the water utility took them through their plans to resolve the problem leaving them satisfied about the interventions they are implementing. ''We want to plead with residents to be patient as our teams are working tirelessly to restore water supply in all affected areas,'' he added. 

The Mayor also assured the people of eThekwini that there were ongoing engagements with uMngeni-uThukela Water to resolve all water challenges in the City and practical solutions are being implemented to urgently turn the situation around. The process of reservoir recovery has commenced with some reservoirs expected to recover sooner than others. 

High level zones or tower zones will take longer to recover. The Municipality and uMngeni-uThukela Water urge residents to continue to use water sparingly as the demand remains high. 

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New house for Waterloo resident 

following devastating fire

A 64 YEARS OLD Lynna Mkhize-Wester from Waterloo, Ward 58, was given a new lease on life when she was handed the keys to her brand-new house. 

This comes after her previous home burnt in a fire in 2018. The house was handed over by Chairperson of the Community and Emergency Services Committee Councillor Zama Sokhabase. 

An overjoyed Mkzhize-Wester's eyes brimmed with tears as she received the keys to her house which she shares with two of her children and three grandchildren. 

''We have waited for this moment since 2018 after our house caught fire. Through the adversity, we never gave up hope and today, we wish to thank the Chairperson, Ward Councillor and the Municipality for ensuring we have a place to call home,'' said Mkhize-Wester.

Sokhabase thanked Mkhize-Wester's neighbours for their generosity during the family's time of need. 

''The repairs were long overdue. We wish to thank their close family, friends and neighbours who have housed the family during their difficulties,'' she said.

Sokhabase said through Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) programmes, they will continue to fast-track ward-based service delivery initiatives through house handovers and infrastructural repairs. She made the commitment during her announcement of a joint housing and infrastructural programme that will be implemented throughout the City. ''As part of OSS and working with the Human Settlements Unit and ward councillors, we will be implementing an infrastrucural repair that will prioritise our people.'' 

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City leadership engages with 

ratepayers on service delivery

ETHEKWINI Mayor Cllr Cyril Xaba, together with Speaker of Council Cllr Thabani Nyawose, held a meeting with the ratepayers' associations on 16 August. 

This engagement was part of a series of dialogues aimed at addressing ongoing service delivery issues. 

The meeting presented an opportunity for the City leadership to provide feedback on several concerns raised in a previous meeting held in April. 

During the meeting, Mayor Xaba expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to engage with ratepayers and committed to ongoing dialogue with each association. ''We have an obligation to to listen to our ratepayers because we want them to be happy customers. 

Together, we can make this City work, not only for us but also for future generations,'' said Mayor Xaba. 

The City has taken several key actions since the last ratepayer association meetings, including enhanced law enforcement with the City recruiting more police officers and enforcing accountability to combat crime and ensure responsible governance. 

In terms of infrastructure improvements, measures are in place to fix water leaks, remove illegal connections, and upgrade water metres. 

The City has also started constructing the Upper Umkhomazi Dam to meet further water demand. Service delivery enhancements include a new service provider ensuring regular meter readings with a user-friendly billing format set to launch by November. 

Residents are also encouraged to use the Municipal app for convenience. Environmental upgrades include the City working to improve beach water quality by upgrading wastewater treatment plants. 

Norman Gilbert, representing the Provincial and Bluff Ratepayers Association, expressed satisfaction with the progress made in engaging with the City on behalf of residents. 

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Vote At World Travel Awards for City Businesses

 

By Fred Felton | Sep 3, 2024

Durban has eight top business travel and tourism establishments nominated in some of the awards’ most cherished categories for the 31^st World Travel Awards.

The Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre is a nominee in the World Travel Awards 2024. | Photo: Fiona Wainwright 

This year eThekwini has received four nominations including Africa’s Leading Festival and Event Destination 2024 (which Durban has won for the last three years).

There are also nominations for the City for Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination 2024, Africa’s Leading City Destination 2024 as well as Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conferences Destination 2024.

There are further nominations for Africa’s Leading Airport 2024 (King Shaka International Airport), Africa’s Leading Cruise Port 2024 (Port of Durban), Africa’s Leading Luxury Hotel 2024 (The Oyster Box), and the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) was nominated as Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre 2024.

"Festivals and big events have an enormous impact on boosting local tourism and the economy,” noted eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba.

The voting for these awards is open to the public on the World Travel Awards website and closes on 8 September 2024. The public is encouraged to vote for those nominated and support the tourism industry.  The winners will be announced at the World Travel Awards Grand Final 2024 which takes place on the scenic islands of Madeira on 24 November 2024.

 ‘’We call on all residents to rally behind the City by casting their vote in order to bring these awards home,’’ said Mayor Xaba.

To register and make your vote, follow this link: https://www.worldtravelawards.com/register

Visit www.durban.travel for more information on Durban offerings or follow them on social media @DBNTourism