KZN steps up urban renewal
14 July 2003
A multi-million rand project to upgrade the townships north of Durban through the government's urban renewal project is gaining momentum with the commitment of R1.5-billion towards this development.
The townships to benefit from this project, announced by President Thabo Mbeki in his State of the nation address two years ago, are Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu.
The project, dubbed Ink (for Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu), is being spearheaded by national, provincial and local governments.
Ink project executive Thando Magewu, said more than R1.5-billion had been committed to the project over a period of five years.
eThekwini Municipality, under which these townships fall, will put in R750-million while the European Union will contribute R150-million.
"The provincial government will spend R500-million over a three-year cycle and R75-million will come from the national government in the form of grants," said Magewu.
A
delegation from the provincial and national governments, led by eThekwini Mayor, Obed Mlaba, recently visited the townships on a fact-finding mission.
The delegation included the Provincial and Local Government Deputy Minister, Mantombazana Botha, Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin, KZN Premier Lionel Mtshali and Local Government MEC Inkosi Nyanga Ngubane.
Magewu said the visit was partly aimed at lending support to the Ink Urban Renewal Project.
"The key challenges facing the city in the Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu areas have been identified as spatial marginalisation, low levels of economic activity, unemployment, poverty, crime, poor physical environment and the fragmented administrative and regulatory framework," he said.
On the other hand, he said, the opportunities for development in the areas were the rich socio-political history like the Gandhi Settlement, John Dube House and the history of community involvement that had a potential for the
growing tourism industry.
The strategic focus of the programme is on physical development, socio-economic development and safety with special emphasis on women and children.
The project entails infrastructural developments that include roads construction, a regional hospital and a regional Court of Justice.
The KwaMashu City Centre will also be redeveloped with the aim of stimulating the economy and promoting investment in these townships.
Source: BuaNews
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