By Ndumiso Khuzwayo
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure unveiled its project to repurpose unutilised and abandoned government buildings at the Esplanade Government Building in Durban Harbour yesterday.
The KZN MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Martin Meyer, said one of the projects was the refurbishment and facelift of the Esplanade Government Building.
He announced the department plans to repurpose hundreds of government-owned buildings worth billions of rand to reduce spending because of exorbitant lease agreements.
“When I took over the office, I was given the mandate to audit all our assets because we needed a clear picture of the extent of the issue we are dealing with as the department (that is) entrusted with making money from taxpayers to benefit the public. The Esplanade Government Building was among those that stood out as (problem) assets.”
He added that abandoned buildings attract criminal activities that cause businesses to leave, thereby negatively impacting the economy.
“Many businesses have located themselves strategically in and around this facility in order to maximise the economic potential that lies here. Once an environment no longer attracts such conditions, businesses shy away, jobs are lost and revenue diminishes. Derelict buildings that harbour criminal elements have chased away businesses and investors.”
He stated that this unveiling marks the first of many projects under the private-public partnership initiative, where the government collaborates with the private sector.
The project has been awarded to Enza Construction, a 100% black-owned company.
Enza Construction’s CEO, Clinton Crowie, said that the refurbished building ( will feature advanced sustainable technology.
“The recipients will have up-to-date technology. They will benefit from the measures taken to make the building compliant with current energy-efficiency regulations, such as those that limit the loss of cold air and prevent the build-up of heat. Low-embodied carbon finishes will be specified, where possible, to meet the sustainability targets of improving the longevity of the building without a significant impact on the environment,” he said.
The deputy mayor of the eThekwini Municipality, Zandile Myeni, expressed satisfaction with the CBD refurbishment, highlighting its significance in enhancing the city’s appearance.
She said: “This is a very important step in our efforts to address the challenges of bad buildings in the city. Our vision as eThekwini Municipality is to become the most caring and liveable city and our CBD, which is the heartbeat of Durban, must reflect this vision. It is for this reason that we have embarked on this in the form of an inner-city regeneration programme that focuses on bad buildings, public space management and enforcing our bylaws.”
She added that the city has identified numerous abandoned buildings that it plans to release to the private sector for refurbishment, highlighting their investment potential worth billions of rand.
“Our team has also identified 76 buildings that (have been) left abandoned, hijacked and overcrowded. Of these, 58 are owned privately and 18 are government buildings. As the city, we have committed ourselves to work with all the relevant government departments and state-owned enterprises and the private sector so that at the end of the day we will make it a point that we turn things around.”
The project is expected to be completed in 2027.
