Property Developer- Feb 2014
Candace King
By 2013, eThekwini will be Africa’s most caring and livable city. This is the city vision of Durban – and it’s a bold but believable one. The coastal metropolis is already a renowned destination and forms part of KwaZulu-Natal – rated as one of the “big three” provinces that rule the South African roost. Stipulated on the official City of Durban website, this vision will be achieved by growing Durban’s economy and meeting people’s needs so that all citizens enjoy a high quality of life with equal opportunities in a city that they are truly proud of.
The driving force behind this vision is the no-nonsense activist executive Dr Naledi Moyo, the Deputy City Manager of eThekwini Municipality, who takes immense pride in her role. With extensive experience in strategic management and innovative leadership attributes, Moyo’s skills lie in local government development planning, economic development, renewable energy operations, education policy development, community development, foreign direct investment and domestic investment. A team player and a people’s person, she applies a dynamic hands-on approach to business and life, ensuring that everything that she undertakes is successful.
Moyo completed her DPhil in Social Sciences at Edinburgh University, Scotland. She has played a comprehensive role in civil society as well as well as the NGO sector, the private sector and government. She’s worked towards promoting South Africa as an investment destination, connecting local business to global markets.
She was the CEO of Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal, during which time the organisation facilitated the injection of millions of rands into the local economy. She was as at the helm of the World Association of Investment Agencies as its vice president based in Geneva, where her portfolio rested in renewable energy. In May 2006, she was appointed goodwill ambassador to Rendsburg in Germany as a gesture for her efforts in establishing co-operation between German businesses and South African entrepreneurs.
“A century ago, fewer than 20 cities around the world had populations in excess of one million people,” Moyo says. “Predictions are that by 2025, there will be two billion people living in cities. Therefore cities are economic and technological powerhouses; hubs of global integrated services; as well as national assets defining and directing public policy. They have greater influence – and greater responsibilities.”
She adds that a country reaches the urban tipping point when 50% of its population lives in urban areas, resulting in the transformation of a country into an upper-middle-income one. South Africa clearly reflects the economic structure of a middle-income country with a diversified and globally integrated economy. However, urban growth also brings increasing levels of non-renewable-resource consumption, inequality and environmental damage trands, which are evident in many South African cities.
“Becoming a smarter city is a journey, not an overnight transformation,” explains Moyo. She says that in order for cities to be smart, they need to put in place a next-generation system that works in entirely new ways. Cities must develop integrated systems and balance planning challenges. Regulatory requirements and the need to reduce costly administrative overheads should be in place. The development of transportation systems and management related costs is important, as is communication, connectivity and the ability to meet the needs of citizens and businesses. Systems to retain essential resources such as water and energy need to be implemented while alternative sources of such resources are developed.
Currently, this next-generation system is being implemented in the city of Durban with a strong focus on infrastructure development, natural resource management, agricultural and environmental aspects, and public participation and intergovernmental partnerships. There is also a focus on promoting investment in priority nodes and corridors, and township development.
KEY FOCUS AREAS IN DURBAN
NORTH
- Infrastructure (Tongaat/Phoenix/Umdloti, Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW), South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) roads, water supply, electricity)
- Environmental, and Act 70/70 (agricultural land conversion) aspects.
CENTRAL
- Public participation
- Intergovernmental partnerships
SOUTH
- Infrastructure (Eskom and Durban Electricity, Umkomaas, WWTW)
- Act 70/70
INNER / OUTER WEST
- Infrastructure (SANRAL and ETA roads, Hammarsdale, WWTW plus links)
- Intergovernmental partnerships[s
- Environmental aspects
JOB CREATION, PROJECT VALUE AND RATES PAYMENT ESTIMATES
PRIVATE SECTOR PROJECTS
Estimated construction jobs: 3,3 million
Estimated permanent jobs: 436 674
PUBLIC SECTOR PROJECTS
Estimated construction jobs: 207 292
Estimated permanent jobs: 57 768
PRIVATE / PUBLIC PROJECTS
Estimated construction jobs: 224 736
Estimated permanent jobs: 136 568
PROJECT VALUES
Private sector projects: R328 billion
Public sector projects: R143 billion
Private/public projects: R36 billion
ESTIMATED RATES PAYMENTS
Private sector projects: R6,895 billion
Public sector projects: R1, 297 billion
Private/public projects: R445,7 million