The City continues its support for active mobility through fostering key partnerships with local and international partners. This comes as the City hosted the German Ambassador and his delegation at the KwaMashu Bike Park on 25 January.

KfW German Development Bank, on behalf of the German government, has invested R13.8 million into four of the six GO!Durban Academy Bike Parks in the previously disadvantaged communities of KwaMashu, KwaDabeka, Cornubia, and Wentworth.

Funding received through the German government partnership was channeled towards infrastructure development, the building and upgrade of asphalt pump tracks, and supporting infrastructure namely solar panels, classrooms, kitchens, workshops, bike storage, ablution facilities and the installation of two fully kitted Bicycle Empowerment Centres. Additionally, equipment such as bikes, helmets, stadium-style seating, and bicycle tracking units were provided.

During the site tour, the international stakeholders interacted with local beneficiaries and experienced firsthand the impact their investment has made on the children of KwaMashu.

EThekwini Transport Authority Head Thami Manyathi said the Municipality is grateful for the support. “The impact goes beyond cycling as the academies also offer educational, life skills and musical theatre programmes. These sites which have approximately 3 355 children benefi ting from various programmes also provide a total of 72 employment opportunities including 34 full time jobs that have been created and sustained. The bike parks are a beacon of hope in their communities,” said Manyathi.

Ambassador Andreas Peschke was thrilled to see local children making use of the facilities.

Walnut Road, in the Durban central business district was alive with fun, music and family activity  at the second Open Streets  festival on 10 December.  Open Streets: Walnut Road,  although rained out at lunch time, was a hive of activity in the morning that  brought a vibey atmosphere  to an otherwise quiet street.

Located between the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and Durban Exhibition Centre,  the street is usually associated with conferences and  mega events held at those two venues. However, on 10 December, this road was transformed into a family-oriented precinct, displaying an array of cultures co-existing along the stretch.

Thami Manyathi, Head of eThekwini Transport Authority, said the Open Streets concept encourages the free and safe movement of people, enabling them to experience the inner-city space in an exciting, carfree way.

“The Open Streets concept also reduces dependence on motorised transportation and raises acceptance of cycling and walking as ways of getting around. It also creates a space for people of diverse backgrounds to interact and build social capital and increase neighbourhood awareness, connectivity, mobility, and liveability,” he said.

Manyathi said they want to shift the current dynamic and replace it with a proactive community that comes together on a regular basis to participate in active transportation, physical activity, cultural and artistic endeavors, and to enjoy neighborhoods and communities from a different perspective–from the street.