Transforming derelict sites welcomed in Umbilo

Zainul Dawood|Published 6 months ago

Umbilo Business Association Director Ian Campbell Gillies congratulates Nkululeko Shabalala for transforming a derelict site and opening Park Cafe. They are flanked by Siphesihle Ngubane, architect Siphiwe Gumede, contractor Sandile Mbili and Steve Thusi of the UBA. | Zainul Dawood

Durban — An unsightly strip of land between two roads that was frequented by vagrants has been transformed into a new business opportunity and a job creator in Umbilo, Durban.

On Tuesday, the Umbilo Business Association (UBA) Director Ian Campbell-Gillies congratulated Nkululeko Shabalala for transforming the derelict site and creating Park Cafe restaurant.

Campbell-Gillies said an unused, burnt-out, electrical substation occupied the site which became a home for vagrants and negatively affected the surrounding businesses.

An old electrical sub-station that was occupied by vagrants has been incorporated into the design of a new business in Umbilo called Park Cafe. | Zainul Dawood

“This is a great opportunity to rejuvenate the Umbilo area and get rid of crime and grime. This has brought back business delivery mechanisms with the spirit of Ubuntu.

“Following a request from the developers early in 2022 the association agreed to support the re-purposing of the green spaces on Gale Place to a public restaurant. The support document received approval from eThekwini Municipality to terminate the abuse of the area by squatters and criminals and to encourage job generating enterprise,” Campbell-Gillies.

Campbell-Gillies said the developers Shabalala and Steve Mzobe from Dalton Hostel agreed with the association to ensure that all employees would be drawn from the hostel community to reduce economic stress in the highly stressed area.

Shabalala explained that the Cafe was scheduled to open next month. The establishment boasts a butcher, braai and seating area.

Campbell-Gillies said two other areas in Umbilo have also been rejuvenated. They were the Congella Park recycling initiative and Davenport Park.

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