Latest news with #KwaZulu-NatalPublicWorksandInfrastructure
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
New Enyokeni Royal Precinct: A R140 million boost for tourism and job creation
The R140 million Enyokeni Royal Precinct building, which will house 2,000 guests, will be ready for use during this year's reed dance ceremony. The building is just outside Enyokeni Royal Palace. Image: Willem Phungula The construction of the R140 million Enyokeni Royal Precinct for the annual Reed Dance ceremony, which is presided over by the Zulu king, will boost Zululand tourism and create business and job opportunities. This was revealed by KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer and Sports, Arts and Culture MEC Mtomuhle Khawula, who conducted the last inspection of the project on Tuesday before Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli officially handed it over to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini before the Reed Dance ceremony in September. The MECs' oversight visit was part of the Reed Dance preparation, where more than 20,000 virgin maidens present reeds to the king as part of the celebration of keeping themselves pure. MEC Meyer, whose department is responsible for all Public Works projects in the province, said he was happy that the project will be finished on time to host this year's event, adding that the precinct would not only cater for the Reed Dance event but will be a draw card for tourism, which in turn, will create business and job opportunities. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'I hope to see B&Bs coming up in the area because of this iconic building. This will be a major draw card for international tourists who will come and visit eNyokeni Palace because of this building, which is our biggest project ever as the Government of Provincial Unity. We are also glad that this will generate income for the local communities,' said Meyer. Khawula mentioned that his department will save significantly on costs previously spent on marquees and toilets for dignitaries, as the venue will now provide catering and sanitation. The MEC said the venue would not only benefit the Reed Dance event, but also that performing arts and community events will be held there. 'I will meet the king soon to get all calendar events for this year, and I can see more traditional events being redirected to this place,' said Khawula. He added that the Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, will also come before the building is handed over to the king. The dome-design auditorium has a seating capacity of 2,000 people, a stage, changing rooms for artists, and ablution facilities.
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Umhlanga police station upgrades to enhance community safety
Minister of Public Works Dean Macpherson (right) and eThekwini Ward 35 Councillor Bradley Singh discuss possible upgrades to the Umhlanga police station. Image: Supplied Umhlanga's rapid growth and development needed a police station to meet its demands, said ratepayers when they met with the Minister of Public Works, Dean Macpherson, in Durban on Monday. On Monday, while attending the KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure's Construction Imbizo in Durban, Macpherson complied with eThekwini Ward 35 Councillor Bradley Singh's request to inspect the Umhlanga police station. Singh said the visit resulted in a commitment to address long-standing infrastructure issues at the police station, which was used by the SAPS and Durban metro police. Key interventions agreed upon include: Immediate installation of a perimeter fence to enhance security. Repairs to the main gate to ensure controlled access. Restoration of the generator to full operational capacity. 'The Minister has committed to initiating the process of constructing a permanent building for the Umhlanga Police Station, replacing the current prefabricated structure. This marks a significant step toward establishing a fully functional and dignified facility for both officers and the community,' he said. Singh said that after years of advocacy by residents, their voices were being heard, with the upgrades expected to improve safety and service delivery in Umhlanga. 'The Department of Public Works and SAPS will collaborate closely to expedite the projects, with timelines to be communicated in due course.' Singh said the entire facility, including its grounds and offices, are in a shocking condition and fails to comply with basic health and safety regulations. He added that as a police station serving the Umhlanga community, its current state reflects poorly on the department and undermines public confidence. Terri MacLarty, chairperson Umhlanga Ratepayers and Residents Association (URRA), who was also in attendance at the site visit, said they were delighted with the progress made. She said that ratepayers have been in support of making conditions more workable for the metro police who have been stationed at police stations since September 2022 and have worked under challenging conditions. 'We have engaged with the councillor to prevent metro police from relocating to KwaMashu as a result of poor working conditions and given that development in Umhlanga has rendered it no longer a village, but rather a Central Business District,' she said. MacLarty said it was imperative that the metro policing of by-laws be stepped up and that they needed to have a permanent presence in Umhlanga. 'We are also appealing to eThekwini to increase metro resources to ensure that Umhlanga does not deteriorate, given the lawlessness that is and has crept in. Our thanks to Councillor Bradley Singh for acting swiftly, and we look forward to a temporarily improved and secure station, and ultimately a new structure to service the Umhlanga community, which is long overdue. The metro and SAPS put their lives on the line for us, and they deserve better,' she said. [email protected]
