Durban R7.5bn Film City: Anant Singh and eThekwini Municipality provide new update on project

Work on the long-awaited Durban Film Studio is slowly getting off the ground following years of delays. The developer of the studio revealed that they are currently finalising development plans, and work could start as soon as these are approved by the municipality.

Excitement for the project is already being drummed up in Durban, with advertisements put up in parts of the city indicating that the studio is coming soon. In its annual report, the municipality noted that while there are still challenges regarding disputed rates for the property, preparatory work towards construction is slowly getting off the ground.

The development, one of the biggest catalyst projects, has been a source of major frustration, with the developer Anant Singh even pleading for the ANC to intervene in the matter to get the project moving. The film studio is listed in the city's annual report as among the key projects with high impact that are proposed over the next few years. The annual report is currently out for public comment.

The annual report stated that the R7.5 billion Durban Film Studio Development is envisaged to be a world-class film studio complemented by tourism and leisure activities, with over 50,000 temporary jobs and 4,300 permanent jobs.

It added that the site (previously the Natal Command, owned by the SA National Defence Force) was rezoned and transferred to the developer during 2022. The developer fenced the site during 2022 and is currently utilising the Natal Command offices for the construction team.

“The Framework Plan is currently being finalised by the city, and the next steps entail the completion of the Service Level Agreement, submission and approval of building plans, and commencement of construction,” it said.

The city revealed there are still challenges with the programme; among them is the issue of rates. It said the developer is currently pursuing a rate objection with City Revenue and Real Estate, and that the city’s Real Estate is currently preparing formal communication to the developer on the city’s position.

The developer Anant Singh said in a statement, “The approval of the Site Framework Plan and the Service Level Agreement opens the way for the Durban Film City development to proceed. Building plans for the film studios have been developed and are now ready for submission. The provision of bulk services is also a challenge, but we are hopeful that these issues will be resolved,” said the statement.

The developer said they are engaging the municipality with the assistance of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group to resolve the matters, which include the rates issue. “We expect to break ground within weeks of building plans being approved, as we are attending to preparatory work in parallel with the engagements currently underway,” said the statement.

DA councillor Thabani Mthethwa said the delays with this project are concerning. “The planning department has been taking too long to approve plans. There are investors who have had to abandon plans to invest because the planning department is doing as they please.

“As long as the planning department is not scrutinised and people are not held accountable for delays, the municipality will keep losing money on projects that could bring wealth to Durban, like the Durban film studio. The Durban film studio should have been built years ago because it will bring wealth to Durban,” Mthethwa said.

EThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Director Mandla Nsele said statutory requirements and regulatory approvals necessary for the proposed film studio development are underway.

“Once the Site Framework Plan has been approved by the City and a Service Level Agreement has been finalised, the developer will be able to proceed with the project. At this stage, there is no confirmed timeline for when construction will begin. The City has requested that the developer indicate their intended commencement date.”

For more articles from The Mercury, click the link THE MERCURY