Municipality’s big plans to put city on the map

IT IS going to be a great 2016 for eThekwini Municipality if its plans for the year are anything to go by.

From hosting the annual international Essence Festival this year and next year, to launching its inner city master plan at a carnival in May, to getting in gear to properly execute the new proposed by-laws launched last year, the city is doing everything it possibly can to put Durban on the map.

At the top of eThekwini’s plans is the preparation for the local government elections; and there is still a lot to organise as host to the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

The Essence Festival is the culmination of a three-year partnership between eThekwini and New Orleans in the US.

City manager, Sibusiso Sit- hole, said it was a historic moment. “Hosting a festival of this calibre would promote our city internationally, which will result in increased international visitors to Durban that will ultimately help us reach the target of 5 million visitors by 2020.

“This festival builds on other major milestones we achieved, including being awarded the rights to host the Commonwealth Games. It shows what we as a city can accomplish,” he said.

Sithole said despite the R18 million investment needed over the next three years to host the festival, the benefits outweighed the money the city would put in.

“The festival would have great economic and social benefits. There would be many economic opportunities for residents, and it would help promote the transfer of skills through capacity building and empowerment for local businesses.

“The music concert at the festival would feature local and international artists across the different genres. There would also be creative and talent development workshops for local and international artists.”

Although the dates have not been confirmed for the fourday event, Sithole promised a fantastic line-up. Some events would be free while others would be “reasonably priced to ensure people can attend”.

The municipality has also introduced its inner city local area plan, that aims to ensure the inner city of Durban will be a vibrant and integrated city centre to provide a suitable environment for eco- nomic, residential, sporting and leisure opportunities.

The precinct plans are expected to be completed in May, and the regeneration plan by the end of this year. The carnivalwill launch the inner city master plan to illustrate the changes planned for the city, while at the same time activating the inner city precinct.

Head of communications for eThekwini, Tozi Mthethwa, said the launch would be an administrative and political revival of the City Hall as a key Durban city hub of interaction and democratic decision-making.

“This event will be the catalyst to activate continuous dialogue, collaboration and active interaction between the city, businesses and communities. At these events, city leaders and officials will be promoting Durban’s diverse culture, encouraging strong public-private sector involvement while also mobilising resources to facilitate the creation and constructive management of the urban realm in the city.”

The inner city rejuvenation strategy will also tackle issues of crime and grime in the inner city as well as traffic congestion, derelict buildings and water and electricity interruptions,” added Mthethwa.

Finally, the municipality is hard at work to ensure that the recently gazetted municipal bylaws, namely the Nuisance and Behaviour in Public Places, and Problem Buildings, are enforced this year.

There will be education programmes to showcase to residents what the new by-laws are about.