WESTOWN SQUARE OPENING USHERS IN A NEW DAWN OF MORE INVESTMENT, JOBS, AND RATES REVENUE

There was song, dance and ululation when eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba officially opened Westown Square today, 27 March.

The fanfare accompanying the opening of the new retail and lifestyle development in Shongweni, was described by investors, stakeholders and locals as a new dawn, ushering in more investment, jobs and rates revenue. 

The construction of the R1.3 billion development, which began in 2021, is the first phase of a mega development that will see the 2 000-hectare integrated mixed-use urban development located along the N3 and Kassier Road Interchange.

It will comprise nine precincts, including retail, residential, commercial, logistics, industrial, and business park precincts.

“Once a green field with untapped potential, Shongweni has now transformed into an economically thriving community offering endless opportunities for individuals and businesses. It has become a hub of innovation, attracting investment, driving economic growth, and creating much-needed employment for the people of eThekwini,” said Mayor Xaba.

Westown, termed the ‘New City of the West’, is set to generate some R15 billion in investment over the next 10 to 15 years, create 15 000 construction jobs, 8 500 permanent jobs, not to mention many other socio-economic impacts.

The next phases will include, among others, the R2 billion Balwin Residential development, which was launched today, and the R600 million Westown Private Hospital.

“What makes this project even more significant is that it is strategically located between the N3 and the M13 and will catalyse development between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. In fact, we are now building a Midrand equivalent in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Mayor Xaba.

He described eThekwini as a place of endless prospects for growth, saying today’s event highlighted the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector in implementing projects that will help develop and grow the economy.

“With the increase in business confidence in the City, I am confident that we are going to witness many more similar projects in all our regions. This is going to be the first real Smart City in KwaZulu-Natal as the developers will manage Westown through technology while ensuring environmental sustainability, which will, in turn, enhance the quality of life,” explained Mayor Xaba.

EThekwini Municipality has invested R600 million towards the bulk infrastructure required to support Westown.

Mayor Xaba said: “The socio-economic impact of this investment alone has been tremendous. To date, 1 200 people have been hired for the construction of the bulk infrastructure and Westown Square. A total of 451 permanent employment positions were advertised to the public for Westown Square alone. Most of the beneficiaries of job creation come from Ntshongweni and the neighbouring communities such as KwaNdengezi, Tshelimnyama, Dassenhoek, Cliffdale, and Hammarsdale. Local stakeholders have also been included in the development through a stakeholder development committee, which is represented by traditional leadership, ward councillors, and local businesses.”

Mayor Xaba added that the active participation of local stakeholders in the development has resulted in the empowerment of 27 companies to date.

“Of these, 21 are 100% black-owned, two are 100% black women-owned, two are less than 50% black women-owned, and two are owned by military veterans.”

Through the Westown Training Centre, established by the Westown Foundation and the Stefanutti Stocks Academy, hundreds of youths received training in the construction industry.

Mayor Xaba explained that Westown Square is expected to generate approximately R21 million per annum in rates income.

Moreover, he said, it is anticipated that the rates income will increase to more than R500 million per annum at the completion of the Shongweni Urban Development in 2037.

“The project we are launching today underlines the importance of collaboration among all social partners. It is only when we work together that we can build an inclusive economy and address the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment, and inequality,” concluded Mayor Xaba.

CEO of Fundamentum Development Company Carlos Correia said the building of Westown is a vote of confidence in Durban and the province of KZN.

“With a primary catchment area stretching from Westville to Cato Ridge, Westown’s pull is attractive. Our location and ease of access, what we are offering, how it has been designed, and our broad demographic appeal are just some of the benefits,” said Correia.