ETHEKWINI Municipality’s Mayor, Zandile Gumede, tabled a robust plan on Friday during the launch of the CBD clean-up and safety programme that will see the rejuvenation of the Durban Central Business District (CBD).
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With the support of the Durban Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the business community, the plan details strategies and interventions that have been put in place to revive the inner city with the aim of attracting investments and creating employment.
First and foremost, the plan will address cleanliness and safety related issues which will include crime and grime, illegal trading and derelict buildings.
In the past three weeks, the first phase of the programme to ensure cleanliness, compliance and safety was undertaken by city officials.
“To sustain the great strides achieved, the Supply Chain Management process is underway to appoint a dedicated team to take full responsibility of CBD urban management,” said Gumede.
Key elements of the programme which were outlined by Gumded include safety and security, where an outcome-based visible security team is tasked to carry out key protection mandates with clear indicators for each precinct.
The second element is to promote informal trading by streamlining trading areas, providing associated facilities and having a progression plan for street traders who are seen as positive contributors to the local Gross Domestic Product.
The third element of the programme is ensuring a revived waste management plan, which will talk to business needs as well as residents.
The City will also continue to implement its by-law enforcement strategy.
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Furthermore, the City will continue carrying out its environmental awareness campaigns and stimulate interest and active participation from communities to promote, enhance and protect the green areas in the City.
“What I just presented are clear and achievable goals which will result in us attracting more investors, creating 250 000 jobs and accommodating 450 000 people when the plan is fully developed,” she said.
Newly appointed DCCI President Musa Makhunga pledged his commitment to the City’s programme, saying he would utilise all the chamber’s business structures to drive this mandate.
“It is practical and possible as I have seen it succeeding in other cities,” said Makhunga.
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