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.

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.”

The immense talent eThekwini youth possess was showcased during a musical theatre benefit concert hosted by the eThekwini Transport Authority on Monday, 4 July at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

The stars from the GO!Durban Academy in Inanda demonstrated why they were selected to represent South Africa abroad. They impressed attendees with their singing, dancing, and acting performances.

The youngsters have all qualified to be part of Team South Africa to represent the country at the World Championships in Los Angeles in July. This comes after they received their national colours at the South African Championships of the Performing Arts (SACOP) competition held in Rustenburg in October last year.

During his address, Deputy Mayor and Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr. Philani Mavundla said: “Further to the training in acting, singing. and dancing; this programme has had an incredibly positive impact on the students as well as their families, schools, and communities. The academy stages bi-annual performances in local communities which uses the language of music and dance to convey important messages on topics such as road safety, environmental awareness, hygiene and nutrition. Each show is an original production, written and composed by the coaches of the programme.”

Participants have been trained and developed by the GO!Durban Musical Theatre Programme, a youth development initiative by the eThekwini Transport Authority. The programme is a branch of the GO!Durban Academy and offers free weekly classes in singing, acting, and dancing in the communities of Inanda, KwaMashu, and KwaDabeka.

Since being established in 2018, the programme has grown from strength to strength, unearthing new talent and producing stars in the performing arts. There are currently 85 youth enrolled across the three locations. The programme employs 20 local coaches, administrative staff, and interns.

Motorists, commuters, public transport operators and residents’ in and around the M21/Palmfield road area are advised of closure of the M21/Palmfield intersection. The public may access the inner/surroundings roads via Willowfield Crescent as indicated on the map below from 21June 2022 to 30 August 2022.  

This will allow storm water road crossings, Sasol gasline protection, road widening work to be carried out.

The City will keep the inconvenience as minimal as possible. Motorists are advised to familiarise themselves with the traffic accommodation plans as detailed on the map provided and proceed with caution.

The City’s Transport Authority warns communities against throwing stones at buses and the life-threatening consequences of riding on the rear bumper of a moving bus. 

Durban Transport has been faced with this dangerous behavior conducted by young adults including school children.

On most afternoons, the stoning and bumper riding of buses has become the norm especially in areas like uMlazi and Ntuzuma.

In the past six months, about 82 buses had damaged windows caused by the stone throwing. This affects the City’s ability to provide an efficient public transport service while the windows of the buses are being repaired. This results in unnecessary costs for Council and affects bus availability.

The damage of Municipal property is a criminal offence and may lead to prosecution.

The youth are discouraged from riding on the back of moving buses which poses a danger to them and other motorists and could prove fatal. 

The City urges parents and the public to assist in stopping this dangerous behavior.

The public can report any incidents they witness to the police or to the uMlazi Depot on 031 906 2651, the Ntuzuma Depot on 031504 3421, or eThekwini Transport Authority on 082 268 4185.

Motorists, commuters, public transport operators and residents in and around
Phoenix are advised of additional work to the current Phoenix Highway and
Lenham/Longbury Drive intersection construction work.

The additional work is on the south and north bound right hand side. This is to allow essential
construction work on the GO!Durban C9 route from May to 30 June 2022. Motorists travelling South from Phoenix Plaza, as they approach Phoenix Highway and Longbury Drive/Lenham intersection are requested to exercise caution as this is where a significant deviation to road lanes will be experienced on the south bound lane.