(All interviews have been recorded verbatim- Key issues from the interviews form part of the evaluation in Chapter 4)
(i) General Interview 1: (WATERBOYS-Owner)
1) What impact has the Point waterfront made on your business?
Very ideal, close to the sea.
2) With reference to Small Craft Harbour – a lot of people are against it and a lot are for it. What is your opinion about it?
Don’t know anything about it.
3) What improvements can council make within the precinct that can improve the image of your business?
They have started cleaning up the roads, they increased the security with cameras. This would definitely have a positive influence on our business.
4) Do you feel that there are more people visiting the Point area and can this be attributed to the Ushaka and Point Waterfront Development?
Definitely in terms of tourism. A lot of customers frequent the area as a result of these two developments.
5) Do you think the Point Waterfront will be successful or do you think it’s going to be a failure?
Definitely, it would be a success. The development is good for this area.
6) Where do you stay and is it a big problem to get here?
Durban central is a big problem. It is unsafe when you go through Durban central. I will be moving to the Point in the near future. I have purchased a flat at the Point along Timeball Boulevard so I have committed to this area.
(ii) General Interview 2: (KZN WHEEL ALIGNMENT CENTRE-Manager)
1) How long have you been in this area?
6 years
2) What impact has the Point waterfront made on your business?
The people that I deal with are around this area. My business is motor related and has nothing to do with Ushaka or the Point Waterfront Development.
3) What improvements can council make within the precinct that can improve the image of your business?
The biggest problem we have here are the vagrants. If you pass here at 6h30 in the evening you would see on the centre island a guy who apparently the council pays him to feed all the homeless people. There are about 500 of the vagrants who hang around this area. They sleep here at night. In the Wheel area there is lots of crime taking place.
4) Do you think the Point Waterfront will be successful or do you think it’s going to be a failure?
Yes definitely it must work. We must be positive. But all these other social factors have to be sorted out. I believe strongly that it will work.
(iii) General Interview 3: (CIAO BELLA CAFE-Owner)
1) How long have you been in business?
7 months old.
2) Why did you open your business here?
We had moved into the area. What attracted us was the beachfront where families can go snorkelling and swimming. We used to drive pass this building, it was dilapidated and waited until it was fully renovated. We don’t know much about the development surrounding our shop.
3) What improvements can council make within the precinct that can improve the image of your business?
The area where all the drug dealers conduct business are the only social problem that’s stopping improvement. It will not be sustainable until Durbanites have given their approval for the development. Point has a very bad name and to change that perception will take a great effort.
4) Do you feel that there are more people visiting the Point area and can this be attributed to the Ushaka and Point Waterfront Development?
I think a couple of businesses have opened. The traffic has become heavier. There are more residents. With people moving in there are people that have moved out.
5) Do you think the Point Waterfront will be successful or do you think it’s going to be a failure?
In the short term I don’t think it is going to be successful. Like I said until local people are going to buy into it, I don’t think it is going to be sustainable. Maybe you will get a lot of international visitors.
(iv) General Interview 4: (CAPE TO CAIRO-Assistant Manager)
1) What impact has the Point waterfront made on your business?
Tremendously, but around the corner it has become a bit of a hot spot for hijackings. During the day you have 24 hour CCTV monitoring.
2) What are the future plans for the club?
The club will remain in the same premises. We are actually trying to extend the club to the next building.
3) What improvements can council make within the precinct that can improve the image of your business?
They need to take out all those trees as they are hazardous. Speed is a problem along Point Road.
4) Where you enter the point is it a pleasant experience to come into the zone?
No, there is lot of crime along Gillespie Street.
5) Do you think the Point Waterfront will be successful or do you think it’s going to be a failure?
I don’t think so. If it was going to be a success things would be booming. There are flats here which has not sold as yet.
6) Why do you think the owner is holding on to this club, could it be because of the improved image of this area?
Yes and no, this is family club. It facilitates 4000 people. It’s always been a successful business but definitely the area’s image has improved from the past.
(v) General Interview 5: (330 FOODS-Owner)
1) How long have you been in business?
1 Year, opened on 25 September 2008.
2) Why did you open your business here?
Because of the staff shop. They opened because of the Ross Champion staff. It is the same owner. It is a very busy area.
3) What improvements can council make within the precinct that can improve the image of your business?
Not actually, we are fine on this side. We don’t have any problems.
4) Do you feel that there are more people visiting the Point area and can this be attributed to the Ushaka and Point Waterfront Development?
Lots of people are walking around. Lots of tourists come around here. During December it is a very busy area.
5) Do you think the Point Waterfront will be successful or do you think it’s going to be a failure?
It would definitely be a success.
(vi) General Interview 6: (OSMAN- Assistant Manager)
1) How long have you been in business?
20 Years.
2) What impact has the Point waterfront made on your business?
Big impact. All the people that go to Ushaka all stop here to do their shopping. Our business is in some way influenced by the Point Waterfront.
3) What improvements can council make within the precinct that can improve the image of your business?
They have done as much as they can. It is safe, we have had no robberies. You get periodically stealing of cars. The car guards cannot watch every car.
4) Do you feel that there are more people visiting the Point area and can this be attributed to the Ushaka and Point Waterfront Development?
Yes more people are coming.
5) Do you think the Point Waterfront will be successful or do you think it’s going to be a failure?
Yes it will be successful. It is successful right now. The Ushaka is a tourist place which is making the place successful.
(vii) General Interview 7: (JAVA CAFÉ- Owner)
1) How long have you been in business?
1 Year.
2) What impact has the Point waterfront made on your business?
Java Café is close to the Point Development therefore it presents a good opportunity to get customers. There is definitely an opportunity for growth in the future.
3) What improvements can council make within the precinct that can improve the image of your business?
There is lots of crime at the Wheel area, but generally in the precinct crime is not a problem.
The security is very good. The winds are generally a problem which often disrupts business as sand gets blown into the shop.
4) Do you feel that there are more people visiting the Point area and can this be attributed to the Ushaka and Point Waterfront Development?
Yes more people are coming into this area which is good for business.
5) Do you think the Point Waterfront will be successful or do you think it’s going to be a failure?
Yes, there is potential for this development to be successful.
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