By Annisa Essack
08:02:2022

Last week, the Durban City Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, conducted an oversight visit of the City’s various projects, including the Oceans Development.

After a presentation to the mayor and members of the eThekweni EXCO, it was revealed that the Radisson Blu Hotel, currently under construction within the Oceans Umhlanga development, is due for completion in March this year, with the goal of opening in April.

Vivian Reddy, Oceans Umhlanga chairman, says the hotel will be the first five-star hotel of its kind in Durban.

The project consisting of the Radisson Blu Hotel, a mall and 600 apartments is worth R4-billion and is the most significant mixed-use development in South Africa.

Developers provided an update on the mall within the development, saying it will have several international brands similar to the Diamond Walk at Sandton City.

Speaking on the Oceans Umhlanga development, Kaunda said it could be a game-changer for the city.

“The oversight visit aimed to ensure that we expedite development processes to ensure these projects are completed on time. This visit also sought to engage with developers on how locals can benefit from these projects,” he said.

The mayor’s visit included various other construction projects around Durban. They could create thousands of jobs, boost the Municipality’s rates base, and transform the local spatial footprint.

“These large-scale spatial transformation projects are facilitated by the Catalytic Projects Unit and are worth billions of rands. They are being undertaken in partnership with private sector investors and developers, and the investment value of these catalytic projects exceeds R500 million,” he said.