The eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) continues to promote active mobility as it recently opened its fifth GO!Durban Academy Park. The Academy is situated at Wentworth K1 park on the corner of Tuin and Austerville roads. It is the first Academy Park in the south region. 

The new site features a world-class Velosolutions asphalt pump track which provides an ideal training ground for youth with varying skills sets, from young cyclists who are learning to ride, to the more advanced riders who are training to compete in professional events. Additionally, the Park is equipped with a kitchen, classroom, ablution facilities, and bicycle empowerment centre. 

Youngsters will receive free cycling training, academic support (academic classes on weekends; homework assistance during the week), and life skills training. Currently the Wentworth site has two coaches and assists 60 children at a time. At this stage, there is no limit to the number of youth that can be enrolled as schedules are rotated to accommodate numbers. Those who wish to join may visit the Park, complete an enrollment form and register.

The new site also created job opportunities for local people, with four employed on a full-time basis and three part-time. Furthermore, during the construction period 12 locals were employed. “We are delighted with this great addition to our GO!Durban Academy family,” said ETA Head Thami Manyathi. “The Academy has achieved great success, growing from one site in Inanda, and has contributed greatly to our goal of advancing the uptake of active mobility in the City. Other sites are located in Inanda, KwaDabeka, KwaMashu, Chesterville.

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THE City is cementing its commitment to addressing historical segregation and spatial planning challenges through the implementation of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). This programme is a vehicle for spatial transformation and has the potential to better connect peoples’ homes and places of work, with reliable and affordable public transport. 

TOD aims to create compact, walkable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed use communities centered around high-quality public transit systems. The project is championed by the eThekwini Transport Authority working together with various departments within the City. 

ETA has roped in the British High Commissioner as an investment partner. EThewini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda hosted the British High Commissioner Anthony Phillipson on his first visit to the City on 24 August. During the engagement, Councillor Kaunda emphasised the importance of partnership and financial sustainability. “For development of this magnitude to succeed, partnerships are key as government alone will not be able to provide funding. As a City, we put measures in place to make it more favorable and convenient through our planning, infrastructure and legislation for potential private developers to invest.”

The British High Commissioner is on board and has provided technical support in relation to: 

• Urban planning for spatial restructuring. 

• Transportation to support cities to develop integrated transport systems. 

• Resilience to develop strategies to address the impact of climate change and ensure development is sustainable. 

In Durban, TOD will be applied around the Integrated Public Transport Network routes. The pilot phase will be kicked off around the C3 route which runs from Pinetown to KwaMashu. 

Deputy Head of Strategic Transport Planning Nelisiwe Zama said: “Currently we are looking at Pinetown to pilot all the TOD studies that have been done. TOD is not a short-term project. However, there are areas that we can work on during the next six to 12 months, such as mass clean-ups and addressing security issues while we work on the longer term plans.”

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