Elf: The Musical JR Coming to Durban ICC

 

By Fred Felton | Oct 12, 2024

The much acclaimed show Elf: The Musical JR will be making its debut at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) from 16^th – 29^th December 2024.

The Durban ICC is well known for bringing the best entertainment to Durban and this show is certain to attract many bookings for this pantomime.

Elf: The Musical JR is a tale guaranteed to warm your heart. The show captures the spirit of Christmas through the adventures of Buddy. As Buddy tries to find his family in the busy city you can expect themes of love, hope and resilience during the show.

John Aritho, Durban ICC's Chief Operating Officer at the media launch for Elf: The Musical JR. | Photo: Fred Felton 

This musical is the perfect show to see during December with your whole family. You can expect a show filled with laughter, joy and the magic of the holiday season.

The Durban ICC has collaborated with The Young Performers Project and Warner Bros to bring Elf: The Musical JR to the stage. You can expect to see stunning visuals, captivating music, and an emotionally resonant story for everyone.

‘’We are thrilled to be working with The Young Performers Project to bring Elf: The Musical JR to South Africa for the first time,’’ said John Aritho Durban ICC’s Chief Operating Officer.

Those that see the show can expect a set design that brings the North Pole to life; you can also expect a talented cast and crew that will give you many a laugh and cheer.

Actor and Comedian Aaron Mcllroy had the audience in stitches at the launch. | Photo: Fred Felton

Elf is the perfect show for audiences of all ages.

Don’t miss out on the extraordinary celebration of storytelling and artistry.

Get your tickets at www.webticket.co.za

Mayor Xaba Announces Water Curtailment Plans

 

By Fred Felton | Oct 6, 2024

At a recent media briefing eThekwini Municipality Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba along with uMngeni-uThukela announced water curtailment plans.

The eThekwini Municipality Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba led a media briefing to discuss water curtailment plans. | Photo: Fred Felton. 

‘’This post council media briefing takes place after the Department of Water and Sanitation and eThekwini Municipality have announced water curtailment, effective from the 10^th of October 2024,’’ said Mayor Xaba.

The water curtailment is being done to allow for continued water availability, including during periods of below-average rainfall.

If the abstraction limit is not enforced there is a risk, during a drought, that there would be insufficient water in the system for uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW) to continue providing the eThekwini Municipality with a reliable supply of water.

‘’If there is below average rainfall, any restrictions required would be more manageable,’’ noted Mayor Xaba.

The water supply curtailments will be implemented gradually over the next 12 months to make sure that the abstraction from the system is brought to the licenced volumes and maintained at this level.

The eThekwini Municipality receives the bulk of its water supply from the uMngeni-uThukela Water catchment system. The average abstraction from the system over the past year amounts to 1406.4 Ml/d. However, the department has given a directive that the value be reduced to 1287.7 Ml/d which is a reduction of 118 Ml/d.

This reduction is being done to make sure that UUW Board meets the conditions of the Water Use Licence of 470 million m3/annum. This will result in a reduction of current sales and abstraction volume of 8.4%.

Mayor Xaba urged residents to use water sparingly to help with reducing the high consumption. The demand for water in eThekwini far outstrips supply. Mayor Xaba also urged all stakeholders, both residential and business customers, to work with them to address this challenge.

‘’Some of the contributing factors to the high-water usage includes rapid urbanisation, aging infrastructure which causes water leaks and illegal connections,’’ noted Mayor Xaba.

The following interventions will be implemented by the city:

Installation of restrictors in water metres to all consumers.

Pressure reduction in the reticulation network.

Metering all unmetered consumers.

Improve turnaround time in repairing leaks and pipe bursts through deployment of ward-based plumbers.

Community education in water conservation.

Disconnecting of illegal connections.

There will be water rationing where demand is too high or exceeds available supply.

Mayor Xaba has also started visits to water reservoirs that are giving challenges.

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

Catalytic Projects to boost the City's economy

 

EThekwini Municipality has numerous catalytic projects underway which will transform the City and boost the local economy, writes Sohana Singh

There are several catalytic projects underway in the City while others are still in the planning stages. The City’s Catalytic Project Unit is currently working on around 16 projects which will bring approximately R217 billion in investment and create in the region of 300 000 jobs. The partnership between the private sector and government is evident in the investment that is taking place, boosting confidence in the region.

Below is a breakdown of a few of these projects that are transforming the City.

Shongweni Development

The development of the R3 billion Westown Square by Fundamentum Development Company began in 2021 and kickstarted a new era for the outer west region of eThekwini. This is the first 100-hectare precinct of the Shongweni area to be developed, out of a 2 000-hectare integrated mixed-use urban development located along the N3 and Kassier Road interchange. It will comprise of nine precincts which includes retail, residential, commercial, logistics, industrial, and business park precincts. Westown Square is expected to open for business by April 2025.

Brickworks

The Avoca Node Development by JT Ross and Investec is a 15-year programme consisting of three precincts; Brickworks, North Fields, and Caneridge measuring approximately 350 hectares in extent. It has the potential capital investment of over R10.5 billion. 

The City has invested R451 million for infrastructure upgrades which are currently underway on Old North Coast Road to improve access to the area and the increase in traffic.

The City is expecting R206 million annual rates at full development of this light industrial area. There are 51 000 construction jobs, and 19 000 permanent jobs expected to be created.

Giba Business Estate

The Giba Business Estate development by Sultex Holdings PTY Ltd is situated south of the Marianhill Toll Plaza along the N3 freight and logistics corridor from Durban-Free State- Gauteng known as SIP2. 

The R1.9 billion project will develop 200 000 square meters of platformed sites of various sizes which are aimed for sale to the light industrial, warehousing, and logistics sectors.

Phase 1 of the construction consists of 22 platforms and engineering services which commenced in July 2023. Phase 2 will include the construction of top structures.

Regarding jobs created, 492 construction and 4 661 permanent jobs are expected to be created with local community members benefiting from the  development.

Oceans Development

The R5 billion Oceans uMhlanga development is planned to be a mixed-use lifestyle development within the uMhlanga Rocks Village node. This includes a high-end shopping mall, residential apartments, and the Radisson Blu Hotel. The shopping mall and hotel are complete; however, construction is currently underway for residential apartments and a time share hotel. This development is expected to enhance the tourism offering value within the node. Further investment into transport facilities in the area is being discussed.

Inyaninga

Inyaninga is a proposed major multi-modal logistics hub worth R40 billion. The total land area is 1 023 ha for which is a planned total commercial/logistics bulk of approximately 1.617 million square meters, plus some 8 755 residential opportunities.

Inyaninga has been identified as a possible site location for a large scale manufacturing plant. The iNyaninga site offers numerous advantages for such a development, with close proximity to the airport and major transport routes to the port via the R102 and N2 to facilitate access to market.

Sibaya Coastal Precinct. 

Further development being planned or currently being undertaken include Cornubia, the Dube Trade Port, Sibaya Coastal Precinct, Inyaninga, Whetstone Business Park, and in the Durban CBD worth billions of rand.

Work at the Northern wastewater treatment works progressing well

 

THE restoration of the Northern Wastewater Treatment Works is progressing well, with noticeable improvement of treated effluent being discharged.

This follows an oversight visit to the WWTW by Head of the eThekwini Water and Sanitation Unit Ednick Msweli on 31 July to assess the progress of repairs. 

The plant is a hive of activity with the contractor working round the clock to ensure that effluent released from the plant aligns with water quality regulations and prevents contamination of the Umgeni River. 

Some of the interventions that have been implemented to improve quality of effluent and prevent contamination of the environment includes dredging of maturation pond sludge. 

The facility employs a system of ponds for further treatment and polishing of the final effluent prior to its release into the river. There are five ponds with a total of four kilometres combined. 

Periodic dredging of these ponds is necessary to mitigate the accumulation of solid substances within the process. 

Removal of surface vegetation and repair of embarkment is also in progress. 

The Northern Works was damaged during the floods, which left the plant non-operational as the entire facility was submerged underwater. 

The City undertook minor emergency repairs to partially bring the plant online (operational) while major refurbishments were being prepared. 

The contractor undertaking the major refurbishment commenced work earlier this year. The project cost R500 million and is expected to be completed in 2027. 

Refurbishment is being undertaken in different phases. This includes enhancing the quality of the effluent being discharged, repairs of damaged components of the 50 megalitres a day (Ml/d) and 20 Ml/d plants to enable the full plant capacity of 70 Ml/d, sludge handling and disposal. Cleaning of aerated de-gritters, functional repairs, and augmentation of the works to achieve maximum plant capacity are also being done. 

Msweli was impressed with the progress that has been made to date. He said the unit is also focusing on ensuring that nearby wastewater pumpstations are operational to prevent contamination of the environment. 

He said the theft and vandalism of electrical equipment at nearby pumpstations are the biggest challenges, which often result in the pumpstation overflowing into the river. 

''The City will continue to employ various interventions to prevent contamination and test water quality which is currently being done,'' he added. 

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Discussions with Umngeni-Uthukela 

water to improve water provision 

AS PART of an ongoing effort to ensure uninterrupted water supply in the city, eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba led the city's Executive Committee in a meeting with Umngeni-uThukela Water on 26 July. 

Among the pertinent issues discussed in the meeting were interventions to address non-revenue water and water reduction measures while efforts to curtail non-revenue water are ongoing. 

The City leadership also received an update on major water and sanitation infrastructure projects that are currently underway to ensure sustainable water provision. 

Mayor Xaba welcomed the opportunity to meet with the leadership of the water utility to find lasting solutions to water challenges. He urged residents to work with the Municipality and continue to use water sparingly.

UMngeni-uThukela Water Board Chairperson Advocate Vusi Khuzwayo said it was important for the Municipality and the Water Board to continue working collaboratively in pursuit of sustained water provision for all. 

He added that uMnegni-uThukela Water would continue to support the eThekwini Municipality through fast-tracking various water delivery projects such as the Amanzimtoti Water Works and the construction of the uMkhomazi Dam project. 

to 6 AM, over the next three months. 

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Social housing to address need for 

affordable housing in inner city

APPROXIMATELY 7 000 

social housing units are expected to be built in the Durban inner-city in the next few years. This is to accommodate the growth in population and demand for affordable housing. 

This emerged during a Town Talk on social housing opportunities in the inner-city as part of the engagement for the inner-city regeneration campaign. 

With rapid urbanisation, cities are bursting at the seams and are compelled to reinvent the urban core to accommodate this growth in population. EThekwini is already feeling the impact of this rise in population in the urban centres. 

The Inner-City Regeneration Strategy aims to accommodate approximately 450 000 people in the inner city. At least 40 percent of the accommodation provided will be a mix of affordable, gap and social housing. 

Sma Moloi, Deputy Head of Formal Housing in the Human Settlements Department explained that social housing refers to housing which the government partners with the private sector to provide affordable housing for those who are earning a certain income and can enter into a lease agreement with the owner of the property. 

Government provides a partial subsidisation and disburses funding for infrastructure development. 

The City facilitates robust land release strategy to accelerate the development of affordable housing. 

Moloi explained that there are many incentives offered to developers of social housing. 

Land is released over a 50 year period for a highly discount rate of 90 percent. 

Land for gap housing is also discounted at by up to 70 percent making it attractive and viable to develop social housing. The City also offers a reduction in development fees and guides the developer to ensure success. 

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