Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda with some of the workers who will be involved in the project
EThekwini Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, visited the Durban Beachfront to inspect and assess progress on the new investment project at the promenade. The eThekwini Municipality has invested R33 million to maintain the beachfront, a prime tourist attraction that has kept the city as the number-one domestic tourist destination. The project seeks to develop and maintain the beachfront as a key asset that contributes significantly to the local tourism sector, job creation and the economy. This was revealed by Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda as he welcomed tourists to Durban on 1 April.
“The city has invested millions of rands in the facility to ensure that we have a world- class recreational facility for people to enjoy when they visit Durban. As the city, we are reinvesting in our beachfront and inner city to welcome tourists to a well maintained, attractive and safe beachfront. The investment in the beachfront and inner city aligns with the Economic Recovery Plan which focuses on reinvigorating the domestic tourism sector, which was highly impacted during the hard lockdown,” he said.
The Beachfront Public Space Management project will augment the work currently being done by the municipality’s Parks and Cleaning and Solid Waste Departments on the beachfront, and ensure that the beachfront is kept in good condition throughout the year while creating employment and skills development for 95 people. The project is valued at over R33 million for a period of 3 years.
The project includes carrying out maintenance in landscaping, irrigation, coastal dune maintenance, beachfront fencing maintenance and sand drift removal of the promenade. “Last year, 12 beaches within the eThekwini Municipality were awarded the National Blue Flag status. This initiative will ensure that our beaches maintain their Blue Flag status. It will also assist us to keep our environment clean. The Public Space Management project will encourage and attract domestic and international visitors to the City’s biggest tourist attraction.”
Mayor Kaunda introduced the Easter holiday theme – ‘Rediscover Durban Safely’ saying that Durban is ready, willing and able to make your holiday break a safe and memorable one, with world-class tourism and leisure options in and around the City, this Easter break.” He added that the city has gone on an aggressive media campaign to market the its various key source markets. These campaigns are aimed at ensuring increased brand visibility and to ensure that Durban remains top of mind for potential visitors, both locally and abroad.
In terms of the socio-economic impact, the occupancy rates are estimated to be around 55 percent. About 42000 visitors are expected with a direct projected spend of R61 million. It is expected that there would be a R151 million contribution to the GDP with 325 employment opportunities created over the Easter weekend. “Durban is ready and open for business. We encourage visitors to come to our city and enjoy their holidays within the confines of the Covid-19 protocols. We have developed an integrated plan encompassing the element of law enforcement to ensure that our visitors are safe wherever they are. Our Metro Police will be also on high alert to ensure general safety and that visitors comply with COVID-19 safety protocols,” he said. About 170 lifeguards, 25 law enforcement officers, 18 safety protection officers and 34 beach guards will be deployed in South, Central, Bluff and North beaches to ensure the safety of bathers. “As a caring city we are providing safe and adequately serviced facilities. We value our facilities and these should be utilised with great care and be left in good and working condition,” Kaunda said.
