Xaba: Westown Square opening shows KZN potential
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba says the mixed-use development in Shongweni will continue to create jobs for communities west of Durban.
He officially opened Westown Square on Thursday.
The shopping and lifestyle complex is the first phase of the precinct, which is being developed next to the N3 between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
It will also include residential property, a hospital and a business hub.
Xaba says R1.5 billion has been invested in the precinct, with the City contributing R600 million to bulk infrastructure over three years.
He says the development has withstood natural disasters and other challenges.
READ: COSATU KZN: No reason to celebrate latest employment figures
"Imagine where it came in between floods. But look where we are now. I'm excited. It means that people have seen the potential of KZN, and they know that these things will happen. Now, they must start to be climate change resilient. So we can overcome these disasters, and we've learned a lot. We use our experience to build on it and then improve on developing our beautiful city."
Community leader Inkosi Shozi says the project has brought much-needed jobs to areas battling high unemployment...
Officials say over 1,000 people have been hired for the project, while 451 jobs were advertised for Westown Square alone.
" I hope it'll proceed because this is half of the job. The developers are still going to build some more development, like housing, which is still going to take place in this area,” says Shozi.
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