Latest news

7

February

2024

International partnership to ensure success of City’s bike parks

The City continues its support for active mobility through fostering key partnerships with local and international partners. This comes as the City hosted the German Ambassador and his delegation at the KwaMashu Bike Park on 25 January.

KfW German Development Bank, on behalf of the German government, has invested R13.8 million into four of the six GO!Durban Academy Bike Parks in the previously disadvantaged communities of KwaMashu, KwaDabeka, Cornubia, and Wentworth.

Funding received through the German government partnership was channeled towards infrastructure development, the building and upgrade of asphalt pump tracks, and supporting infrastructure namely solar panels, classrooms, kitchens, workshops, bike storage, ablution facilities and the installation of two fully kitted Bicycle Empowerment Centres. Additionally, equipment such as bikes, helmets, stadium-style seating, and bicycle tracking units were provided.

During the site tour, the international stakeholders interacted with local beneficiaries and experienced firsthand the impact their investment has made on the children of KwaMashu.

EThekwini Transport Authority Head Thami Manyathi said the Municipality is grateful for the support. “The impact goes beyond cycling as the academies also offer educational, life skills and musical theatre programmes. These sites which have approximately 3 355 children benefi ting from various programmes also provide a total of 72 employment opportunities including 34 full time jobs that have been created and sustained. The bike parks are a beacon of hope in their communities,” said Manyathi.

Ambassador Andreas Peschke was thrilled to see local children making use of the facilities.


7

February

2024

Open Streets thrills and enthralls

Walnut Road, in the Durban central business district was alive with fun, music and family activity  at the second Open Streets  festival on 10 December.  Open Streets: Walnut Road,  although rained out at lunch time, was a hive of activity in the morning that  brought a vibey atmosphere  to an otherwise quiet street.

Located between the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and Durban Exhibition Centre,  the street is usually associated with conferences and  mega events held at those two venues. However, on 10 December, this road was transformed into a family-oriented precinct, displaying an array of cultures co-existing along the stretch.

Thami Manyathi, Head of eThekwini Transport Authority, said the Open Streets concept encourages the free and safe movement of people, enabling them to experience the inner-city space in an exciting, carfree way.

“The Open Streets concept also reduces dependence on motorised transportation and raises acceptance of cycling and walking as ways of getting around. It also creates a space for people of diverse backgrounds to interact and build social capital and increase neighbourhood awareness, connectivity, mobility, and liveability,” he said.

Manyathi said they want to shift the current dynamic and replace it with a proactive community that comes together on a regular basis to participate in active transportation, physical activity, cultural and artistic endeavors, and to enjoy neighborhoods and communities from a different perspective–from the street.


8

December

2023

OPEN STREETS: WALNUT ROAD TRAFFIC PLAN

Walnut Road, between Bram Fischer Road and AB Xuma Road, will be closed to all vehicular traffic on Sunday, 10 December from 5am to 5pm. This will convert the street into a walkable, fun space for families during the Open Streets: Walnut Road event. Traffic from Masabalala Yengwa Avenue will be diverted towards Bram Fischer Road.

The occasion aims to encourage active mobility by hosting a bigger, more participatory event. The Open Streets concept encourages the free and safe movement of people, enabling them to experience the inner-city space in an exciting, car-free way. The City encourages the public to attend the fun, family event in their numbers.

Open Streets: Walnut Road will be transformed into a family-oriented neighbourhood, displaying an array of cultures co-existing.

Head of the eThekwini Transport Authority Thami Manyathi encouraged the public to support this free event. “Attendees can look forward to a cycle and fun walk/run, bike-share programme, local market, fashion, art, cultural and heritage exhibitions, family-orientated games, entertainment, food trucks and stalls, sports and much more. We are working with various stakeholders to ensure that attendees enjoy a pleasant, fun, and memorable experience that showcases what cities could be without vehicles.”  

Open Streets Cycle and Walk Routes

The Cycle and Fun Run/Walk will begin at 7am at the corner of Walnut Road and AB Xuma Road. While race routes will remain open, the public is urged to be aware of participants and take the necessary precautions in the vicinity. Metro Police will be on hand to guide motorists and participants so that a safe race will be held.  

Routes are as follows:  

Walk 5km
Walnut Road
Right into Monty Naicker Road
Left into Dorothy Nyembe Street
Left into West Street
Left into lower Marine Parade Street (Promenade)

Left into Pavilion Terrace
Left into Playfair
Right into KE Masinga Road
Left into Sylvester Ntuli Road
Right into Bram Fischer Road
Left into Walnut Road

Run 10km
Walnut Road
Right into Monty Naicker Road
Left into Dorothy Nyembe Street
Left into West Street
Left into lower Marine Parade Street (Promenade)
Left onto pedestrian walkway under M4 toward M12 Masabalala Yengwa Avenue
Left into M12 Masabalala Yengwa Avenue
Walnut Road


Cycle 20km
Walnut Road
Right into Monty Naicker Road
Left into Dorothy Nyembe Street
Left into West Street
Right into Mahatma Gandhi Road
Into Gate at NSRI Station 5 – Durban
Left along key eastwards
Left onto the new promenade
Promenade to Blue Lagoon
Left onto Umgeni River path under M4
Left at Kingfisher Canoe Club
Into Stiebel Place
Right into Athlone Drive
Left into M12 Masabalala Yengwa Avenue
Walnut Road

-ENDS  


22

November

2023

OPEN STREETS RETURNS FOR DURBANITES

After the resounding success of the pilot Open Streets: Florida Road in March, the City is taking further steps in encouraging active mobility by hosting a bigger, better and more exciting Open Streets: Walnut Road on Sunday, 10 December.

The Open Streets concept encourages the free and safe movement of people, enabling them to experience the space in new and exciting ways – car free.

The one-day programme will see approximately one kilometre portion of Walnut Road, Durban CBD closed off to vehicles converting the street into a walkable space for families.

Open Streets Walnut Road will be family-oriented and neighbourhood, displaying an array of cultures co-existing along the stretch. By closing the street to cars and opening them to people, and coordinating an engaging programming, Open Streets Walnut Road facilitates the re-imagination of streets as places that are safe, healthy and fun.

EThekwini Transport Authority Acting Head, Bethuel Manthoadi encourages the public to support this free event and come out in large number. “Durbanites and visitors can look forward to a City cycle ride and walk/run, bike-share programme, local market, fashion, cultural and heritage tours, playground-style games, live music, food offerings, and public art and much more.”

“With the positive feedback received form the public on the pilot Open Streets, we have listened and we are working around the clock with various stakeholders to ensure that attendees receive yet another pleasant, fun and memorable experience”.

ENDS


28

September

2023

GO!DURBAN COMMUNITY VISUAL ART PROJECT CALLING ALL ARTISTS

Artists from Wards 11, 39, 40 and 104, along the GO!Durban Queen
Nandi station are invited to participate on GO!Durban Community Visual
Art Project.
GO!Durban in partnership with the Durban Art Gallery is introducing a
brand new art project aimed at making the stations unique and each to
celebrate the city’s distinctive urban cosmopolitan environment and that
of the surrounding township life, its people, architecture, colours, shapes,
textures and diversity.
ENTRY FORMS AVAILABLE FROM:

  • (Click here to Download the application form.
  • K-CAP Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre.
    Additionally, attach a simple A4 sketch that is unique to
    community’s culture/ local history/ everyday activities/ religion.
    ART DISCIPLINES
    Paintings, Drawing, Printmaking, Mosaic, Pattern, Graphic
    Design and Illustration.
    APPLICATIONS MAY BE HAND DELIVERED AT: K-CAP Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre
  • GO!Durban Queen Nandi station
    Or via email: info@godurban.co.za
  • CLOSING DATE: 9 October 2023 at 16h00.

16

August

2023

MAYOR KAUNDA WELCOMES GO!DURBAN ACADEMY CHAMPS

The atmosphere was filled with excitement and jubilation at the King Shaka International Airport this afternoon, when Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and Councillor Thembo Ntuli welcomed home the Go!Durban Academy stars. 

The nine youth arrived back in eThekwini after participating in the World Performing Arts Championship held in Los Angeles.

The team scooped the Senior Grand Champions of the World for Group Vocal 2023 and the Senior Grand Champions of the World for Group Dance 2023 categories. 

They bring home 51 gold medals and 18 silver medals after competing against participants from 70 countries.

Mayor Kaunda said he was extremely proud of the youngsters. 

“These champions have raised our flag high and made us proud as they competed against other countries. These youngsters are proof that people of eThekwini can bounce back from adversity,” said Mayor Kaunda.

The Mayor encouraged the youth to ensure that they also excel in their studies and not let their socio-economic conditions define who they are. 

One of the youth from KwaMashu Sibusiso Msomi who won nine medals, said he was grateful for the opportunity afforded to them by the Go!Durban Academy. 

“The experience of competing overseas against other countries has enrich me and the other youth who participated. We now know the standard required for us to compete internationally and we have raised the bar,” said Msomi.

The City is extremely proud of their achievements and congratulates the team on their outstanding win. 


16

August

2023

GO!DURBAN WINS BIG AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

The City congratulates the Go!Durban Academy students who won two categories at the World Championship of the Performing Arts held in Los Angeles recently. 

The team won the Senior Grand Champions of the World for Group Vocal 2023 and the Senior Grand Champions of the World for Group Dance 2023 categories.

They bring home 51 gold medals and 18 silver medals. They competed against participants from 70 countries and made South Africa proud.

The young stars come from different schools including Mqhawe High School, JG Zuma High School, Northmead Secondary School, Crystal Point Secondary, and Mvaba High School. 

The GO!Durban Academy unearths and nurtures talent from the City’s most vulnerable communities, providing them with tools that foster confident, authentic, creative and environmentally aware future leaders.

The team will be arriving in Durban on 9 August. The City is extremely proud of their achievements.


16

August

2023

ETHEKWINI WISHES GO!DURBAN ACADEMY STARS WELL AS THEY TAKE ON WORLD STAGE

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda has sent his heartfelt wishes to young stars from the GO!Durban Academy as they prepare to fly out of the country to represent the nation at the World Championships of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles.

The local stars will fly out of the country on 24 July to compete against 70 countries. 

“We wish you a safe journey and urge to you to continue to raise the nation’s flag high. You embody the spirit of South Africa, shining as ambassadors, not just for eThekwini, but the entire country,” said Mayor Kaunda. 

The Inanda performers’ journey to the international spotlight began with their victory at the South African Championships, and over the past two years, they have brought home an impressive 119 gold medals, 4 silver, and 1 bronze medal.

Their dedication and talent have brought glory to the community.

The young stars come from different schools including Mqhawe High School, JG Zuma High School, Northmead Secondary School, Crystal Point Secondary and Mvaba High School. 

The GO!Durban Academy unearths and nurtures young people from the City’s most vulnerable communities, providing them with tools that foster confident, authentic, creative and environmentally aware future leaders.

Mayor Kaunda urged everyone to rally together and shower these bright stars with unwavering support as they showcase the best of South Africa’s artistic brilliance.


29

May

2023

Pay for accident reports with debit or credit card

The eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) is pleased to announce that a speed point card machine is now available for payments of accident reports.

The public can now use any of the major debit or credit cards at the Road Safety Branch Public Desk located at 30 Archie Gumede Place, ETA Building, 2nd Floor, Room 216A. Deputy Head for Strategic Transport Planning Nelisiwe Zama said: “Our clients have requested a speed point payment option and we have listened. This credit or debit card payment option is safer, quicker, and more convenient.

Previously the public paid via EFT and had to wait for five to seven working days for the funds to clear and reflect on the City’s bank account before they can get a copy of their accident report. The second option was to pay cash.” An accident report costs R120 and can be obtained from the Road Safety Branch at the ETA Building. The branch also collects forms weekly from South African Police Service stations.

Should a member of the public require an accident report form that has not yet been collected from the station, that person is required to pay and then take their receipt to the appropriate police station

where they will be provided with a copy of the form.

 The following documents are required to obtain an accident report:

• People directly involved in the accident: ID or Drivers Licence

• Attorneys: Signed “Power of Attorney” by their client together with a formal request letter

• Insurance companies, accident investigation companies, and ambulance services: Consent letter signed by their client • SAPS and Metro Police: Produce the original docket and their appointment card to trace an accident report, the Road Safety Branch requires the accident report number, date of accident, vehicle registration details and the driver, passenger/s, and pedestrian ID numbers where applicable.


18

April

2023

eThekwini Transport Authority puts safety measures in place on Kenville Road

Team preparing for installation of speed humps.

As part of the GO!Durban Corridor 1 Route, Work Package 4A, the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) has been carrying out  construction work as follows:  

  • Completion of Kenville Road Bridge
  • Construction of Inanda Road West Bound Carriageway including the Seacow Lake intersection.
  • Construction of Seacow Lake Road (south leg) and Inanda Road East bound carriageway.

A portion of Kenville Road  had to remain closed during the construction period and temporary detour signage and road markings were put in place.

The construction of Seacow Lake and Inanda Roads was planned to commence in November 2022, however, it was delayed as an effort to minimise inconvenience to the public as the work on Kenville Road was not yet complete.

To avoid further delays Kenville Road was opened to the public on 5 April 2023 and construction of Seacow Lake Road was scheduled to commence immediately. However, due to safety concerns caused by motorists speeding, the road had to be closed again to allow for the installation of speed calming measures (speed humps) to enhance safety of pedestrians on the Kenville Road.

The ETA is in the process of installing speed humps and anticipates Kenville Road to be opened by 24 April 2023.

Willowfield Crescent has been made available for the residents to use as a detour during the construction at Seacow Lake Road. Furthermore, the opening of Kenville Road, will allow for a second detour around the construction site from the southern side.

The ETA apologises for the inconvenience caused and requests the community to be patient and work with us in ensuring the successful completion of the project without compromising the safety of the public.