Date: 2025-09-30 06:40:36

Town talk highlights strides made to rejuvenate the inner city

Town talk highlights strides made to rejuvenate the inner city

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

19 SEPTEMBER 2025

TOWN TALK HIGHLIGHTS STRIDES MADE TO REJUVENATE THE INNER CITY

EThekwini Municipality is making great strides in revitalsing the Durban inner city. 

The Inner City Regeneration (ICR) Programme is moving from planning to visible delivery, with reinforced enforcement capacity, expanded urban management coverage, and social and infrastructure interventions underway.

This was revealed during a recent Town Talk engagement on the ICR Strategy on 18 September. The engagement updated the public on progress made thus far.  

EThekwini City Manager, Musa Mbhele said: 

“Inner city regeneration is pivotal to unlocking inclusive economic growth and fostering job creation in eThekwini. 

Revitalising the urban core through upgraded infrastructure, safer public spaces, and mixed-use developments can attract investment, stimulate entrepreneurship, and draw more residents and visitors to the City. The ICR assists in business retention, which also plays a role in employment and investment. The programme enables us to build a sustainable City and make a meaningful contribution to the well being of residents.”

Updates on various programmes and their successes were provided, including:

Safety and Security

Regular enforcement is carried out block by block in the inner city, which has resulted in more than 8 000 charges in the last financial year. Since the commencement of the programme, approximately 18 months ago, 375 integrated enforcement operations have been carried out with at least 90 food stores being shut down due to serious non-compliance. Around 1 500 joint clean-up operations were conducted with more than 2 050 tons of waste removed. 

These enforcement and clean-up operations are ongoing, targeting hotspots in the central business district.  

Policing operations are also ongoing in the inner city, with many successes in crimes relating to drugs/drug trafficking, robbery, theft, and other serious syndicated crime.

A new By-law Enforcement and Operations Sub-Directorate has been created, with a digital enforcement tracker and a state-of-the-art CCTV Command Centre under construction due for completion at the end of 2025.

A dedicated task team has been set up to address hijacked buildings, with legal escalations planned via civil and criminal courts.

Urban Improvement Precincts

The Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) project has been expanded to include inner city areas beyond existing special rating area zones. A dedicated multi-disciplinary management team has been appointed, with responsibilities for cleaning, maintenance coordination, and crime deterrence. Ambassadors can be seen in the inner city in bright yellow attire.

Homelessness

The City is also taking steps to assist the homeless. Construction of the Sakhithemba Shelter (with an 800-bed capacity) is underway, with completion of the first phase anticipated by November 2025. This facility will replace current temporary safe sleeping sites.

In the past six months, 232 people have been sheltered, while 59 were trained in technical skills such as electrical, plumbing, computer technology, motor mechanics and other skills to create pathways out of homelessness. Another 364 individuals were assisted with ID applications, 31 people were employed through partnerships, and 56 homeless individuals were reunified with their families.

Inner City Ablution Facilities

In terms of inner city ablution facilities, mobile VIP ablutions were procured and deployed during the festive season to cope with the influx of visitors to the City. Six refurbishment sites (Farewell Square, Soldiers Way, Loco Plaza, Yacht Mole, and the Mynah Bus Rank) are currently under construction, expected to be completed by October this year. Phase two of the refurbishments, planned for January to May next year, will be implemented across Jospeh Nduli Street, Pine Parkade, and other sites.

Strategic Investment Projects  

A basket of strategic investment projects is also in the pipeline. A total of 15 catalytic development projects, such as the Bay Waterfront, Government Mall, River Town, and Light Rail, have been packaged for bankability. These will change the face of the inner city, bringing with it investment, economic development opportunities, job creation, and improved confidence in the City.  

Social Housing

Three priority sites for social housing development have been identified and are in the detailed planning phase. These include 71 Playfair Road, Epsom Road, and Lancers Road.

These will have a combined yield of around 600 units. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.  

Also, buildings donated to the City by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure are undergoing conditional assessments for redevelopment.

ENDS  

Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate.