City Manager Leads Efforts to Resolve Development Bottlenecks in eThekwini

An eThekwini Municipality task team focused on accelerating investment, creating job opportunities and removing development bottlenecks within the entity will convene a meeting on Tuesday to advance its objectives.

The task team has recorded significant progress in service delivery, business confidence, and the addressing of infrastructure and socio-economic challenges since its establishment in April 2024.

According to its latest progress report, business confidence in the city increased from 38.42% in the first quarter of 2024 to 63.01% in the third quarter of the same year. This was cited as affirmation of the municipality’s commitment to economic development in the region and its determination to push ahead with major projects.

City Manager Musa Mbhele, accompanied by the City’s Executive Management Team, recently undertook another round of eThekwini Investor Fridays site visits. These visits form part of the city’s broader strategy to engage directly with investors and developers and to address operational and regulatory challenges that could hinder development projects.

Also in attendance were representatives from the Operations Management, Catalytic Projects and Technical Services directorates.

Catalytic projects are earmarked to boost the municipality’s rates base, transform the local spatial footprint and create numerous employment and business opportunities. These projects are selected for their scale in terms of job creation, investment size and potential revenue generation.

Ideally, catalytic developments should include a mix of functions such as retail, commercial and residential components, while aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The delegation visited several major development sites, including the Oceans Umhlanga Precinct Development, the DEVMCO Sibaya Precinct Development and the Link Hills Lifestyle Centre.

At Oceans Umhlanga, attention focused on resolving issues relating to a temporary taxi rank, which is critical for ongoing construction operations. To minimise disruption while maintaining operational efficiency, the eThekwini Transport Authority has proposed an alternative solution along the C9 corridor.

The C9 corridors are key 14-kilometre Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes under the GO! Durban Project, which the city embarked on more than a decade ago to improve public transport services.

The municipality has prioritised stakeholder consultations, particularly with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), to ensure community concerns are adequately addressed.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Mbhele is expected to confirm project costs, identify funding avenues, finalise stakeholder approvals and determine implementation mechanisms for the projects.

Developers involved in the Oceans Umhlanga initiative are expected to receive formal feedback by February 6. The announcement is highly anticipated given the public safety risks and significant commercial losses attributed to ongoing delays, as outlined by Vivian Reddy, a representative of the Oceans Umhlanga project.

In response to these concerns, Mbhele has apologised for the setbacks and reaffirmed the City’s commitment to supporting investors throughout the process.

In addition to reviewing progress on existing developments, the meeting will also revisit deviation plans and proposed parking reductions. The submissions include a comprehensive report assessing digital mobility solutions, parking utilisation and the site’s designation as both a Catalytic Project and a special zoning area. City officials have assured stakeholders that these variables will be considered during the approval process.

Meanwhile, the VEMCO Node 6 Development is gaining momentum, having secured critical approvals from the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) for much-needed upgrades to the M27 and M4.

Construction of the shopping mall at the new Salta Boulevard near Umdloti is now in its final stages, with an anticipated opening scheduled for October 2026. The development is expected to be complemented by the addition of three- to five-star hotels aimed at enhancing the area’s commercial landscape.

Mbhele has emphasised the importance of expediting outstanding amendments from the eThekwini Transport Authority. He said the municipality is committed to restoring investor confidence, unlocking job opportunities and ensuring that catalytic projects continue to drive development across Durban and its surrounding regions.

DAILY NEWS