EThekwini Municipality Unveils Plans Ahead of the Hollywoodbets Durban July

 

By Fred Felton | July 2, 2025

The City is getting ready to host Africa’s largest horseracing event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July taking place on 5 July at the Greyville Racecourse.

Mayor Xaba was joined by City officials, representatives from Hollywoodbets and Gold Circle along with models at the media launch for the Hollywoodbets Durban July at Westown Square. Photo: Fred Felton

The City’s tourism and hospitality industry is all set to welcome scores of visitors in Durban for the event, while safety and security have also been finalised.

The theme for the event is ‘Marvels of Mzansi’, this prestigious horseracing event and fashion extravaganza is expected to attract around 50 000 visitors for Durban with a hotel occupancy of 80 percent. This year’s theme encourages the celebration of cultural heritage, diversity, and landscapes.

Mayor Xaba unpacked the City's state of readiness. Photo: Fred Felton

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba today, 2 July unpacked the City’s state of readiness and unveiled planned events during the Durban July Grand Experience media launch which was held at Westown Square.

‘’Our law enforcement agencies have developed an integrated safety plan, supported by the private security industry. Visitors are guaranteed a safe stay in the City with high police visibility, particularly around the Greyville precinct and other strategic sites across the Municipality,’’ said Mayor Xaba.

According to Mayor Xaba, the economic impact on eThekwini from the Durban July weekend is far reaching. This is due to several events taking place.

‘’The direct spend is estimated at R278 million with a total of R700 million contribution to the eThekwini GDP and a total number of 4 000 jobs to be created,’’ said Mayor Xaba.

Partners for the event, Hollywoodbets and Gold Circle representatives said they are excited for the event, with plans in place to ensure a successful day.

You can expect plenty of fashion at the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Photo: Fred Felton

The Hollywoodbets Durban July also provides a platform for both upcoming and established fashion designers to showcase their creative talent. There will be 25 designers showcasing their ‘Marvels of Mzansi’ collections on the main stage, as part of the Durban July Fashion Experience – a collaboration between eThekwini Municipality and the Hollywood Foundation.

The fashion programme has the following three categories:

The Young Designers Awards which features 10 student finalists competing for top honours. The top three winners will receive bursaries and a fashion travel package.

The Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars category presents nine emerging designers, supported by eThekwini Municipality’s Fashion Development Programme. Winners will share a R250 000 cheque for business development.

The Invited Designer Showcase includes six established designers, four of whom are graduates of the same Fashion Development Programme and are now successful industry names. Through this event, designers will get exposure to thousands of attendees and potential buyers.

Expect Durban to come alive this weekend. Photo: Supplied

There will also be major events all around Durban and the townships over the weekend. These events include Fact Durban Rocks, Any Given Sunday, Anywhere in the City, and Mojo’s July Weekend.

‘’It is time to celebrate the vibrant spirit of Durban as the City transforms into a hub of glamour, excitement, and world-class entertainment,’’ noted Chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee Councillor Thembo Ntuli.

For more info go to www.visitdurban.travel or follow @DBNTourism on social media.

City Unveils Easter Plans

 

By Fred Felton | Apr. 17, 2025

The time over Easter is set to be a memorable experience for all in Durban with a mix of adventure and relaxation for everyone.

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba unpacks the City's Easter and Holiday Season Campaign.  Photo: Thuli Dlamini. 

A few days ago eThekwini Municipality revealed its Easter and Winter campaign themed ‘’Endless Fun Season’’. Tourism stakeholders were treated to a trip around Durban with stops at various tourist attractions including PheZulu Safari Park and the new Westown Square Shopping Mall.

Durban has a wide range of attractions from world-class shopping malls, vibrant markets, wonderful waterfalls and safari experiences.

It is estimated that around 1.3 million visitors will descend on the City over the Easter holiday while the hospitality industry is expected to see hotel occupancy rates at 63 percent, which is an increase from last year’s 50 percent.

There is also expected to be a boost for the local economy with direct spending estimated at around R2.5 billion and a GDP contribution of around R6.1 billion, with 11 000 employment opportunities created over this time.

Westown Square was a hive of activity as the City launched Easter Plans. | Photo: Fred Felton.

According to eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba this campaign is being done so that the City can highlight Durban’s rich tourism attractions, to make sure visitors explore more adventures, cuisine, attractions, and experiences.

‘’We want to assure our visitors both locally and internationally, that we are ready to deliver a safe and enjoyable holiday. Security measures have been put in place with a safety and security plan developed by the Metro Police and stakeholders to ensure visibility at all key tourism attractions,’’ said Mayor Xaba.

Last week the City rolled out its programme of rejuvenating the inner city precinct to deliver a safer, cleaner, and greener Durban. This programme has a wide range of services including deployment of professional security teams, armed patrol units, and rapid response squads.

Mayor Xaba said this landmark initiative marks a significant step forward in enhancing the quality of life of residents, businesses and visitors while boosting the local economy.

Durban has also received nominations in the World Travel Awards for various categories including Africa’s Leading Festival and Events Destination. There are several signature events lined up for visitors including the Joyous Celebration Easter Mega Fest, One-Man Show Concert, eThekwini Surf Pro and the Durban International Marathon.

You can also expect activations in Amanzimtoti, Shongweni, uMhlanga, Inanda, and the Beachfront.

‘’As the ultimate holiday destination, Durban is offering an opportunity to unwind and explore the fun and diverse attractions as we usher in the Winter season,’’ said Mayor Xaba.

For ideas on what to do in Durban go to www.visitdurban.travel or follow @DBNTourism on social media.

Westown Square Opens

 

By Fred Felton | Apr. 3, 2025

Westown Square opened on 27 March launching a pathway for more investment, jobs and rates revenue.

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.

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.