Durban is being brought back onto the load shedding schedule ‘as soon as possible’ – Photo: Here Comes The Sun / Flickr
Durban Eye: New Ferris wheel is NOT a government initiative
While there have been some doubts about the R450 million Durban Eye Ferris wheel, it will not be funded with taxpayer money.
Durban is being brought back onto the load shedding schedule ‘as soon as possible’ – Photo: Here Comes The Sun / Flickr
eThekwini has revealed its plans to build a multi-million-rand Ferris wheel. The ‘Durban Eye’ will be built on the beachfront promenade. The project is privately-developed and is expected to launch in February 2023.
Durban Eye construction to start in July
Construction for the Durban Eye is set to start in July 2022 and it will open next year just in time for the Easter holidays. The project will offer tourists, and locals a 360-degree panoramic view of Durban.
The City says the project is 60-metres high and will have between 30-36 eight-seater cabins. It will be situated at the southern end of the beachfront, near the harbour entrance channel.
“This will offer tourists a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the city. The 60-meter-high attraction will boast 30 to 36 eight-seater cabins. The full rotation of the wheel will take 20 minutes. Retail businesses will surround the structure. It will be situated at the southern end of the beachfront, bordering the harbour entrance channel. The site looks toward the Bluff headland and will welcome cargo and passenger cruise ships into the newly built passenger cruise terminal, the KwaZulu Cruise Terminal. The position of the Durban Eye aims to attract visitors to the city centre,”
said eThekwini City.
The project is NOT funded by taxpayer money
The Durban Eye is NOT a government initiative. While the project will cost R450 million it will not be built with taxpayer money. This has been a concern for many citizens who have been comparing the project to the R22 million monumental flag, reports Business Tech.
A DIY Home Affairs service? Citizens may soon ‘serve themselves’
In other news, it was previously reported that a self-service system for smart IDs, passports and other important documentation will soon be introduced by the Home Affairs Department.
During his departmental budget speech, Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza said the new system will be rolled out in the 2022/23 financial year. He explained that the budget will see the department exploring new ways to ‘better serve citizens’.
Speaking about the kiosks, Nzuza said they will be designed in a way that requires authentication through biometrics. The kiosks will be located in areas that will allow citizens to access them even after office hours or on weekends. Read the full story here.
