The executive mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni had a virtual meeting with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to South Africa on April regarding the development of a Disneyland Amusement Park and Formula One Grand Prix race track in the metro.
The meeting between Clr Mzwandile Masina and HE Mahash Saeed Alhameli via Zoom was arranged to discuss, among other things, the City’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and economic opportunities in the region.
On March 28, during his State of the City Address, Masina announced plans to offer the private sector bulk land parcels for the development of the first Disneyland Amusement Park in Africa and a race track in the City of Ekurhuleni.
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Ambassador Alhameli has expressed interest in both these large scale developments and has committed to facilitating a meeting between
UAE investors and the City of Ekurhuleni after the Covid-19 pandemic has subsided.
“We are humbled by the positive engagements I had with Ambassador Mahash Saeed Alhameli. The City of Ekurhuleni and the City of Dubai are two aerotropolis cities which need to continually collaborate in developing our respective local economies,” said Masina after the meeting.
“We look forward to meeting with investors in the UAE after this Covid-19 pandemic and hope we can begin work on these two catalyst projects which will change the face of Ekurhuleni forever.”
The Disneyland Africa and Formula One Grand Prix projects form part of the broader aerotropolis masterplan which is anchored by the Ekurhuleni University of Science, Technology and Innovation, which was recently announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address.
“Furthermore, the City is proceeding with other strategic projects which are at an advanced stage, including but not limited to the Ekurhuleni Botanical Garden, the Ekurhuleni Zoo and the Ekurhuleni International Convention Centre. All these projects will be in collaboration between Government and the private sector to stimulate the local economy,” added Masina.
The ambassador was also briefed on the socio-economic impact of Covid-19 in the City of Ekurhuleni.
