EThekwini Municipality has committed itself to township renewal. KwaMashu is one area that has seen much development with two recently completed projects, namely the KwaMashu Station Traders Market and the Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (PINK) Furniture Incubator.

KwaMashu is part of the PINK area which is situated 30 km north of the city centre and comprises a mix of formal residential townships and informal settlements.

The PINK area has been identified as a critical development node as part of the Urban Renewal Programme intended to co-ordinate, facilitate and align development delivery as rapidly as possible.

The rollout of projects such as the KwaMashu Station Traders Market building is one way of achieving this goal. The upgraded facility provides an improved trading environment to boost the informal trading sector in the community.

The PINK Furniture Incubator, situated at Crossroads, the intersection of Malandela Road and Curnick Ndlovu Highway formerly known as KwaMashu Highway, is an innovative idea to promote small businesses, which play a major role in contributing to the economy at Crossroads near Bridge City.

 

Developing KwaMashu

Access to services is high on the City’s agenda which is why the upgrading of roads has been prioritised in KwaMashu. A number of upgrades have taken place which includes the upgrade of Bhejane Road with pavements and a traffic circle.

A further connection is currently underway, extending the road under Curnick Ndlovu Highway to Phoenix Industrial Park. The City has committed R24 million towards this project. Following a request from residents, speed humps were constructed in Ingome Road in KwaMashu.

Health has also been prioritised in the area by the provincial Department of Health. The KwaMashu Community Health Centre Clinic was opened recently to service the needs of the community and surrounding areas. This work will be aided by the Dr Pixley ka Isaka Seme Memorial Hospital. Construction of the brand new R2.7 billion, 500 bed hospital is scheduled for completion in 2019.

The Crossroads Project is in its planning stages. This project will be at the intersection of Malandela Road and Curnick Ndlovu Highway and aims to enhance public transport. This will be done through the building of a new taxi rank as well as new informal trading facilities. A platform where private investors can build and open shops is also planned for the site.

Construction of GO!Durban, eThekwini Municipality’s R22 billion integrated rapid public transport network is well underway with the development of the C3 corridor from Bridge City, in KwaMashu, to Pinetown CBD, moving ahead.

Construction has started on the dedicated public transport lanes on the MR577, a provincial road which links KwaMashu to Pinetown. Construction has also started on Josiah Gumede Road in Pinetown CBD. This trunk route will accommodate 18 transfer stations and 24 kilometres of dedicated lanes. KwaMashu will have a terminal at Bridge City.