Clermont makes international waves
Zazi Road to be developed for tourists
ZAZI Road in Clermont, situated in the west of Durban is getting international acclaim as a tourist destination. Named after the late activist and businessman Zazi Khuzwayo, the road has become home to a mix of traders ranging from vendors, grocery stores, taverns and shisanyama restaurants.
Its township vibe has attracted both local and international visitors and now plans are afoot by Durban Tourism to revamp the street into an upmarket urban precinct while still maintaining the township atmosphere. People are already lapping up the experience. Recently a group of tourists from Ireland were taken on a tour of Clermont and Kwa-Dabeka.
Local businessman and founder of Clermont and Kwa-Dabeka tourism development, Nkosinathi Phili, said the idea was to market current businesses and attract tourists.
“The city of Durban has already started with phase one of the road infrastructure. Durban tourism under the eThekwini municipality management are busy doing a study where we are going to develop Zazi Road as a lifestyle precinct. The idea is to bring in the same model of Florida Road, developing urban improvement precinct (UIP) programmes where issues of crime, safety, cleaning, and greening will be taken care of,’’ said Phili.
Phili said the development plan was expected to begin by the end of the year. None of the current businesses should fear being shut down.
“The whole idea is to bring together businesses and come up with a common goal of making sure that the area of Zazi Road is more user friendly, well-lit and the safety of our travellers or tourists is taken care of. Part of the program is to assist the so called unlicensed businesses to easily obtain their licenses. We want to take the area to another level and when everything has started, all businesses will do well,’’ he said.
Clermont and Kwa-Dabeka tourism development has already started hosting international tourists in the area.
Tourist Patrick Gallagher (31) from Belfast in Ireland said it was his first time eating pap.
“The food is delicious, I like how they cook pap, and I wish they could teach me. We came to Durban as a group of youths from Mountainhill youth club. What I noticed here is that people are so friendly and were open to us,’’ said Gallagher.
Among the tourism sites in Clermont is the oldest Lutheran church, the house of Joseph Shabalala, the founding member of Grammy award winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Zakhe, place of safety for abandoned and orphaned children.
Tour guide Sipho Cele said Clermont was also known to be the home of well-known political activists.
“Politicians who are from Clermont include former deputy president Phumzile Mlabo Ngcuka, the late Lionel Mtshali, Archie Gumede and Zazi Khuzwayo. In our area we also have one of the biggest hostels in the country. There’s a lot to be learnt about the history of Clermont. Most of the businesses here were opened long ago,” said Cele.