What does the new development entail for Durban promenade?
"Developments have already started by the beach front" - Thapelo Mmusinyane.
The East Coast Breakfast team has seen many people online react to the fact that some of their favourite tourist attractions will soon be no more.
The last thing people wanted to see was their favourite stores gone after the province had endured so much over the years.
Read more: Top five things to do on Durban's beachfront
The last time Darren, Sky, and Carmen brought up the Durban promenade situation, they had it confirmed that Circus Circus, Bike & Bean, and Mini Town would not be around for much longer.
According to news reports on IOL, Bike & Bean, Circus Circus, and Mini Town have been issued with notices to vacate their premises.
They went above and beyond to get someone from the eThekwini office to get more answers, and you know what, they got the guy.
In comes the Head of Real Estate in eThekweni, Thapelo Mmusinyane. He came through to East Coast Radio House to speak with the Breakfast team and to answer all the questions the people of KZN had.
Here's the full audio of Thapelo answering important questions about the promenade:
The decision to issue notices to vacate in the first place sparked mixed reactions among beachgoers and other tourists who love coming through to the province.
While this may come as a surprise to many, it's an essential step towards the realisation of the municipality's ambitious plans.
Read more: Breakfast team reacts to Durban beachfront soon to undergo a huge transformation
Thapelo has moved to ensure the people of KZN and SA that they need to build better structures to grow tourism in the province and are working with the owners of these establishments that are closing down to find better solutions.
"The aim is for us to better what we already have. We are working closely with Circus Circus, Bike & Bean, and Mini Town owners to find better solutions, as they were sitting on prime location to which we feel we need to manage properly," says Thapelo.
The transformation aims to elevate the beachfront experience to new heights, ensuring it remains a top destination for years to come.
Read more: ActionSA: Closure of beaches will impact Durban tourism
Others expressed concerns about losing their favourite spots, worried that the facelift might compromise the unique charm and character of the beachfront.
Ethekwini Municipality head of communication, Lindiwe Khuzwayo, previously mentioned that places like Circus Circus are managing the transition, together with the new lessee, with very little involvement from the municipality.
Here's a reminder that Durban Funworld, the iconic beachfront facility, closed its operations on May 1 after forming part of the Golden Mile for more than 50 years.
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Main image attribution: ECR