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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DFO-Supported Film Prospers

 

By Fred Felton | Aug. 10, 2024

The film ‘’God’s Work’’ produced in Durban demonstrated the powerful value chain and enabling role that is provided by the Durban FilmMart (DFM) for African filmmakers.

God’s Work, which is currently in post-production, examines the lives of 4 homeless men in Durban.

The film is directed by Michael James, produced by Sithabile Mkhize, with Executive Producer Toni Monty of A.M. Afrika Film.

God’s Work was pitched to financiers at the DFM in 2022, securing funding from local entities, including the National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Durban Film Office, and the PESP Fund.

Production began in May 2024, with completion aimed for November 2024. This will allow it time to be submitted for festivals in 2025.

Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute, said the film exemplifies the market model of DFM, where pitching and connecting with industry stakeholders catalyses a film’s value chain.

The DFM once again played host to over 1 400 film industry professionals this year once again demonstrating its power in providing connections and enabling filmmakers from across the African continent. 

Deadpool & Wolverine Breaks Box Office Records in Africa

 

By Fred Felton | Aug. 5, 2024.

This highly anticipated Super Hero team-up from Marvel Studios has earned the biggest opening weekend of 2024 in South, West and East Africa.

The film has become the largest R-Rated Global Opening Ever.

Deadpool & Wolverine lit up the Box Office, going all the way to the number one opening weekend of 2024. Since its release on 24 July 2024 fans have flocked in their numbers to go and see Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.

The film had a weekend gross of over R14.8 million.

The film also had a huge opening on other parts of the African continent, securing the biggest opening weekend of 2024 at the West African Box Office, with N165,7 million. In East Africa, with an opening tally of Kes 8.2 million. Deadpool & Wolverine has also become the biggest opening weekend of 2024, as well as the biggest post-pandemic opening to date.

Deadpool & Wolverine has also shattered records around the world opening to an estimated $444.1 million globally, including $211 million domestically (US).

Shawn Levy directs ‘’Deadpool & Wolverine’’ and the film features a cast full of surprise characters that pop up from time to time.

Images courtesy Disney.