In a bid to restore Durban to its former glory, the eThekwini Municipality has launched a new project aimed at revitalising the inner-city precinct.
The municipality confirmed that plans to rejuvenate the inner city are already "moving swiftly and making a tangible difference."
According to the municipality, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the city's infrastructure and environment.
[WATCH] The city has increased capacity to achieve its ambitious plan to rejuvenate the inner city precinct and deliver a safer, cleaner and greener Durban. pic.twitter.com/RB5DwVjjmT
— eThekwini Municipality (@eThekwiniM) April 8, 2025
"This comes as the City has increased its capacity to deliver on its ambitious plan to revitalise the inner-city precinct, focusing on creating a safer, cleaner, and greener Durban," the municipality said.
The programme includes a range of services designed to address both security and aesthetic concerns. Key measures include the deployment of professional security teams, armed patrol units, and rapid-response squads.
These efforts aim to enhance public safety and ensure that Durban’s urban spaces remain welcoming and well-maintained for both residents and visitors.
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“This landmark initiative marks a significant step forward in improving the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors, while also boosting the local economy through the creation of over 100 new jobs,” the Municipality added.
eThekwini City Manager Musa Mbhele hailed the new project as a game-changer.
“This project is a game-changer for eThekwini. By combining enhanced security measures with proactive facilities management, we are not only addressing immediate safety and cleanliness concerns but also laying the foundation for a vibrant and sustainable inner-city precinct that residents can take pride in.
"We are confident that these efforts will have a profound impact on the revitalisation of the Durban inner city, contributing to its transformation into a more attractive, secure, and economically vibrant area,” Mbhele said.
In recent years, Durban has faced a number of challenges, including high crime rates, hijacked and abandoned buildings, and elevated E. coli levels at the city’s beaches, issues that have driven Some tourists away.
IOL previously reported that data from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) indicates that hundreds of businesses with five to ten employees have either closed down or relocated outside the city.
Some experts have argued that these challenges have contributed to the decline of small and medium-sized businesses in the area.
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