By Fred Felton | Apr. 3, 2025
Westown Square opened on 27 March
launching a pathway for more investment, jobs and rates revenue.
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| There was an air of jubilation when eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba and CEO of Fundamentum Development Company Carlos Correia offically opened Westown Square. They were joined by various Provincial and Municipal leaders for the occassion. | Photo: Thuli Dlamini. |
There was plenty of singing, dancing and
even ululations when eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba officially opened
Westown Square.
This new retail and lifestyle development
situated in Shongweni, was described by all the stakeholders as a new dawn for
more financial investment, employment and rates revenue.
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| Westown Square was officially opened on 27 March 2025. | Photo: Thuli Dlamini. |
The R1.3 Billion development began construction
in 2021. This is the first phase of a mega development which will see
2 000 hectares integrated into a mixed-use urban development situated
along the N3 and Kassier Road Interchange.
The development will comprise of nine
precincts, including retail, residential, commercial, logistics, industrial,
and business park precincts.
‘’Once a green field with untapped
potential, Shongweni has now transformed into an economically thriving
community offering endless opportunities for individuals and businesses. It has
become a hub of innovation, attracting investment, driving economic growth, and
creating much needed employment for the people of eThekwini,’’ said Mayor Xaba.
Westown is already being described as the
‘New City of the West’ and is set to generate around R15 billion in investment
over the next 10 to 15 years, 15 000 construciton jobs and 8 500
permanent jobs.
The next phase includes the R2 billion
Balwin Residential development, and the R600 million Westown Private Hospital.
‘’What makes this project even more
significant is that it is strategically located between the N3 and the M13 and
will catalyse development between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. In fact we are
now building a Midrand equivalent in KwaZulu-Natal,’’ noted Mayor Xaba.
According to Mayor Xaba this is going to
be the first real Smart City in KwaZulu-Natal as the developers will manage
Westown through technology while ensuring environmental sustainability.
The eThekwini Municipality has invested
R600 million towards the bulk infrastructure required to support Westown.
So far 1 200 people have been hired
for the construction of the bulk infrastructure and Westown Square. A total of
451 permanent jobs were advertised for Westown Square. Most of the workers come
from Ntshongweni and the neighbouring communities.
Hundreds of young people have also
received construction training through the Westown Training Centre, which was
established by the Westown Foundation and the Stefanutti Stocks Academy.
Westown Square is expected to generate around
R21 million per annum in rates income. The rates income will increase to more
than R500 million per annum at the completion of the Shongweni Urban
Development in 2037.
CEO of Fundamentum Development Company
Carlos Correia said the building of
Westown is a vote of confidence in Durban and the province of KZN.
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