Sunday Tribune

Westown to boost local economy

SHANELL DANIEL shanell.daniel@inl.co.za

THE local community and businesspeople in Shongweni, west of Durban have welcomed the launch of the Westown development, aimed at unlocking the economical potential of that area.

Westown would be the first phase of the Shongweni Urban Development – a multibillion-rand mixed-use mini city.

Phase 1, the first precinct of the development of Westown, a 100-hectare retail and urban core hub, would include a new hospital, residential apartments, and commercial, business and logistics sub-precincts.

The development was launched on site on Thursday with a sod-turning event held in partnership between ethekwini Municipality and Durban-based private property developers, Fundamentum Property Group.

As part of the agreement between the stakeholders, Fundamentum and the municipality have undertaken the joint responsibility of covering the infrastructure development bill, with the city carrying the majority of those

costs. The R2.5 billion investment by the developer was expected to catalyse further investment in the area, stimulate job creation, and bring services closer to communities.

The city’s investment of R595 million would cover municipal infrastructure costs including the widening of Kassier Road.

ethekwini Mayor, councillor Mxolisi Kaunda, said Westown was a crucial development.

“This is a major development investment on the western side of our city just to ascertain that people will get employment there. All these developments are an injection of the growth that will enhance our capacity as a city to continue to attract much investments, especially to address the issues of unemployment,” he said.

Kaunda said the development in Shongweni was strategic.

“We made a pronouncement that we want to build our own ‘Midrand’, linking us as a city with the umgungundlovu District. There will be a lot of economic activity between the two cities, so when you drive from Durban to Pietermaritzburg you will be able see the development.

“What is important is how the economy circulates between the two cities and other cities. More than anything else, business opportunities are important, where the economy will open for those locked out of the mainstream economy,” he said.

Speaking on the transport challenges anticipated during development, Kaunda said: “We will be improving the road that links the communities which will also add value in reducing traffic congestion in that area. The development will have adequate parking spaces. We are expecting it to be busier because people from umgungundlovu District will be going there and it will be the closest mall to the freeway. Therefore it is expected to be busier than other malls in the city,” he said.

Carlos Correia, CEO of Fundamentum, said they had partnered with Tongaat Hulett.

“Our biggest partner is the community. The first time we looked at acquiring the land, traditional authority, Inkosi Shozi, was very welcoming. We believe that the outer West is going to be the new growth node of ethekwini. We are going to make Shongweni the most sustainable development in South Africa. There will be no waste of sewer, no water that is lost. We are to create business enterprises that will work with us in urban agriculture, creating local labour and supplies to make us self-sustainable,” he said.

The first phase of the development would see 8 000 jobs created and by completion, 30 000.

Westown was expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2024.

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2022-08-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

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