THE FUTURE IS WEST

Ntshongweni Urban Development is destined to be the catalyst to unlocking the untapped potential of the Upper West. Importantly, it’s being managed by one of South Africa’s foremost, most experienced mixed-use land developers, Tongaat Hulett   

South Africa needs growth. Without it, the woes which beset the country and dominate every dinner table, will not only continue, but escalate. No secret there. With the population growing at 2 percent per annum, it’s critical to start providing concrete solutions. Literally.

The Outer West needs a fertile platform to create entrepreneurial opportunities and employment. We need a catalyst to enable us to tap into what we have here, and build on the assets of the area.

And the region must provide opportunities for all communities. The current joint ills of skills shortage, unemployment and poverty – which inevitably lead to crime – need to be addressed.

Tongaat Hulett’s history of development in Kwazulu-Natal includes among others, town centres such as Umhlanga. The success of that visionary, multifaceted development is indisputable - it altered the face of Durban. Tongaat-Hulett developments are never tackled piecemeal, but rather as an overarching development vision and concept framework plan. It’s years of planning and consultation, and decades of learning experiences with other developments. Ntshongweni Urban Development is the end result of a long collaborative process, with consideration given to the economic potential of the region, the state of the infrastructure, environmental concerns, and of course, all the communities, their lifestyles and needs.

There are numerous reasons why Ntshongweni has been pinpointed for development, but the main one is its potential to ignite growth. Just as Gateway Theatre of Shopping did.  

WHY NTSHONGWENI?

Ntshongweni is strategically positioned on the vital N3, the corridor linking Durban to Gauteng/Free State. It’s about 20 km west of the Port of Durban.  This 2 000 hectare mixed-use development will undoubtedly bring substantial economic benefits to the entire region, particularly for the logistics sector.

MD of Tongaat-Hulett Development (THDev) Michael Deighton said, “The N3 corridor is the country’s busiest transport route, and will be upgraded in line with the aim of improving the country’s logistic and transport links.” Ntshongweni Urban Development links into this important strategic corridor – the opportunities are rife.

CAN OUR CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT THIS?

There are clear plans for upgrading all affected routes, which will, just as has happened at the new uMhlanga interchange, ensure easy flowing traffic.

Kassier Road is the first to receive an upgrade, largely to accommodate future growth.

The N3 will be upgraded to improve the country’s logistics and transport routes. 

WHAT IS THE TIMING OF THE ROLL OUT?

Construction of the whole of Ntshongweni Urban Development will span 15 to 20 years.

The first precinct, known as Urban Core, has secured development rights - the necessary preliminary infrastructure upgrades are expected to commence early next year.

The first phase, The Mall of the West – 85 000 square metres – will begin late 2019, with completion expected early 2022. Nicola Muir, spokesperson for developers of the Mall, Fundamentum Asset Managers, says, “The Mall of the West will follow a concept plan to uMhlanga’s successful Gateway Theatre of Shopping and is at the forefront of building a whole new town to the West of Durban.” Deighton added, “The Mall of the West will simulate Gateway in its ability to drive this new precinct’s urban and retail core.”

The Mall of the West is envisioned as a crucial driver for growth.

WHAT ABOUT DIRECT BENEFITS, LIKE JOB CREATION?

Ntshongweni Urban Development is expected to provide 35 000 permanent jobs, 400 000 short-term construction jobs, generate R700 million in annual rates for eThekwini Municipality, and R5,1 billion in annual tax revenue.

THDev will implement their comprehensive iThuba programme to ensure socio-economic benefits, skills and enterprise development initiatives reach the surrounding communities. Deighton believes new destinations such as Ntshongweni make significant inroads into changing the country’s socio-economic landscape.

WHY IS IT CONSIDERED PEOPLE-CENTRIC?

TH Dev is cognisant of the sense of ‘country’ which Ntshongweni and the surrounding communities have always valued. Integrated into the development, will be 1000 hectares of open space for passive and active recreational use for existing and new communities.   Deighton says, “The area is well known for its outdoor pastimes, with a strong horse riding, trail running and cycling community already enjoying the surrounds. We aim to elevate and enhance these activities for established and new communities to access and enjoy.

“People’s social needs and those of the environment form the bedrock of the development’s design,” he says. The Mall of the West’s architectural aesthetic will use connected spaces that create a positive and symbiotic relationship between the built and natural environments.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE?

Developments on this scale are not designed to subtract, but to add. Historically, they draw new people and projects from outside the area, to them, rather than taking from others in the area. This stimulates growth on every level.

Deighton believes that Ntshongweni Urban Development will create a benchmark for the way in which new, integrated, inclusive SA urban precincts are developed: “From urban planning through to the residential, retail, commercial, recreational, logistics and light industrial activities, the mixed uses of this area are vast.”