Durban has much to be proud of when it comes to being on the coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal. The city serves as the major centre for the province’s tourism due to its beaches and resorts. This has been of great economic benefit for the local community. This week, the eThekwini Municipality announced the findings of a socio-economic assessment on the holiday season’s impact on the city. The in-depth report, conducted by BDO South Africa an independent accounting and consulting firm, highlighted the significant economic benefits generated during the 2024/25 festive season, which spanned from 1 December 2024 to 12 January 2025. It was written in the socio-economic assessment that 2024/25 festive season resulted in a staggering direct spend of R 1.95 billion with eThekwini Municipality, showcasing a strong demand from both domestic and international visitors.
The festive season has also attracted a total of 875 289 visitors to Durban, including 447 832 domestic overnight visitors, 33 577 foreign overnight visitors, and 393 880-day visitors. A survey of visitors revealed that 79% perceive Durban as a prime tourist destination. Visitors participated in various activities, with the top attractions being the city’s breathtaking beaches (73%), local eateries (69%), and shopping experiences (64%). Notably, 54% of visitors were drawn to uShaka Marine World, highlighting the city’s diverse offerings that cater to all ages and interests. The economic impact assessment further acknowledged the significant contributions of major events held throughout the city, including Beach Paradise, Fact DBN Rocks, Anywhere In Your City and the uMgababa New Year Picnic, played a substantial role in attracting thousands of attendees, and contributed in driving the local economy during the 2024/25 festive season.
Durban certainly enjoys some great success from the attractions and service outlets it has. The city can easily prosper if the revenue obtained can be invested in something more tangible. That is the people who live here. As well as its environment. Yes, the city is known for its beaches, resorts and restaurants, but there is still very little respect for the outlying environment. There needs to be more bins around, if possible, to collect dirt. However, littering on the public road needs to be discouraged due the negative impact it has on the area. The same goes for other inappropriate and illegal activities in the public area. Such as openly relieving oneself in the public area. However, this is far from the main tourist centres but the city needs to ensure its reputation particularly in the Central Business District (CBD).
None the less Durban and eThekwini Municipality has been blessed with the best of fortune they need to make the most of it. There has also been a decrease in crime statistics.
“The past two shootings did have the markings of specifically targeted at these individuals. They were not a result of escalation of crime such as hijacking, robbery things like that. “Overall, our crime stats do point that crime in the Durban North uMhlanga area has actually decreased in terms of the severity of crime,” said CPF member Darryl Oliver. Oliver has moved to allay fears following a murder in La Lucia last week. Fifty-three-year-old PRASA manager Jacob Khoaele was gunned down on Shelbourne Avenue Thursday night. Police are still searching for the killers. Oliver has urged residents to stay calm, saying the incident seems to have been a targeted attack. “It is very hard when it comes to shootings like that were very specifically targeted these individuals to work on plans to combat them when it comes to premeditated shootings.
So, when you do have a premeditated, it is almost a once-off shooting, and it is very hard to deploy a resource to monitor that area. It happened once, and it is very unlikely it will happen again.”
The reassurance that some forms of crime are on the decline are good news. However, the risk of organized crime can be harmful to most of the city’s industries including tourism. This is especially true of gang violence. Although it is good that the statistics show that crime is on the decline in certain areas such as North uMhlanga, police need to be ever vigilant of criminals especially those who are organized in gangs. Gang crime and war fare is a serious problem in cities across the country. The issue of murder remains a serious problem as the case of Jacob Khoaele shows how easy it is to murder someone, especially over material things. Taking life is fairly easy. This can be due to desperation or even greed. Striking at night is especially best for criminals and murderers. The fact that these victims were watched by the criminals is a warning to the rest of us.
Even with improvements in technology it would be very hard for investigators to track down the perpetrators of the crime. Tourists will have to be weary about travelling in the said areas in question. Not even the beached and resorts are safe at night. It remains unclear what vigilance eThekwini Municipality can have across the Durban area. So, livelihood is improving in terms of external revenue but security remains a problem.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
