Image via Twitter: Livashlin Naidoo
@naidoolp
Durban constructs and unveils the longest promenade in Africa
Durban’s newly constructed, state of the art promenade is the longest in Africa, stretching across 8km from Blue Lagoon to the Durban harbour.
Image via Twitter: Livashlin Naidoo
@naidoolp
Stretching across 8km is Durban’s newly constructed state of the art promenade – the longest of its kind in Africa.
Durban promenade launch
The longest promenade in Africa, situated on the Durban shores has officially opened. The promenade underwent an extension project, costing R380-million.
Visitors are able to enjoy a run or walk from one end to the other. Blue Lagoon is on one end and the Durban Harbour mouth is at the other. Ushaka Marine World is en route, and there are many recreational activities.
The promenade will welcome skaters and people who cycle to work. With the ocean on one side and the city on the other, it is an open stretch for pedestrians surrounded by trees and grass, providing a serene way to experience the best that the city has to offer.
“It will enhance our tourism as a city,” said Ethekwini Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, who lead the launch event. He continued by saying this facility was created with the purposes of family in mind: families can take walks along the promenade, enjoy picnics en route and interact with different people.
Kaunda says the promenade has attracted investments from local hotels, which will further result in job creation.
“We are expecting other partners to build, including a five-star hotel that also incorporates the issues of the mall that will be developed. But we are also happy that you have seen from the Sun Coast Casino, the new development that has been invested, also the other hotels coming on board to inject more resources, to ascertain that we grow the economy and become more responsive to the aspirations of the youth, in particular to create more much needed jobs in our city.”
This is further echoed by Economic Development MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube, who says small businesses will also benefit from the development: “We are already reaping rewards from this promenade.” Dube-Ncube added that small businesses would be opening at the promenade during the festive season.
The facility has been developed with a first aid room and a lifeguard tower. There are undercover parking bays, and it has been built in a wheelchair friendly manner with pedestrian ramps. The promenade also has an amphitheatre and is 30 metres wide.
Future development
The completion of this project is now going to unlock a R2-billion investment that will see the development of skyscrapers set to change the Durban skyline. A multi-million shopping centre is also on the cards.
More visitors to Durban
During the past year, international passengers arriving at Durban’s King Shaka International Airpot (KSIA) has grown by 11%.
“The collaborative efforts by Durban’s tourism stakeholders to bring more direct international flights to the capital city of KwaZulu Natal are bearing fruit and the provincial government hopes past successes will encourage more airlines to adopt direct routes … It is gratifying to see the growing local and international demand for the direct flights provided by BA and Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines,” says Dube-Ncube.
With the direct British Airways flight between London and Durban, the UK has ranked number one out of the top five international passenger markets for 2019.
Durban continues to grow as a tourism hub of South Africa. The launch of the promenade extension marks the start of plans for steady growth and development in the region.
