South Coast snubbed: Mayor’s oversight visit highlights development disparity
During the recent oversight visit by the mayor, it became clear that the South Coast has no investment projects planned for the near future, whereas there seem to be several other projects underway in other parts of the eThekwini Municipality.
DURING an oversight visit to catalytic projects across the city on August 14 by eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba and the executive committee (Exco), a striking observation became apparent: not a single project is located on the South Coast beyond Prospecton and Isipingo.
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The 16 investment developments, totalling R217 billion and promising over 300 000 jobs, are all concentrated in Central Durban, the northern wards and the Outer West. This glaring omission has raised concerns, especially after the South Coast lost its only catalytic project in April when Toyota South Africa abandoned plans for an automotive supplier park near Winklespruit.
Efforts to relocate the project to the old Durban International Airport site appear to have stalled, with a recent environmental impact assessment (EIA) classifying the area as a wetland. Councillor André Beetge questioned this sudden designation, asking, “While we care for the environment and always strive to protect it, why is it suddenly a wetland when it functioned as an airport for many years?”
Beetge raised the issue of the South Coast’s development neglect with Mayor Xaba, emphasising the need for employment opportunities and growth in the area. “Our people need jobs, too; we also want development,” he stressed.
The eThekwini Communications Department did not respond to queries, leaving the community wondering when they will see investment and progress in their region.
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