Step 9 Monitoring and Evaluation
4.8 ECONOMIC-SPATIAL PLANNING IN KWAZULU-NATAL
4.9.1 Transport and Logistics Infrastructure
125 4.9 TOURISM RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE
KwaZulu-Natal has a well-developed infrastructure of roads, railways and telecommunications, plentiful semi-skilled labour, a sophisticated commercial and financial business structure, complemented by a full spectrum of professional services, good access to overseas markets, quality housing, and excellent medical, social and cultural facilities. Modern industrial parks are found throughout the province and standard factory buildings are available, while custom-built factories can be constructed according to specification [http:///www.kzntopbusiness.co.za /site/kzn-infgrustructure, (2010)].
126 (a) Durban Port
Durban Port is the largest port on the Southern African coast, and is a full service general cargo port. The port of Durban handles the greatest volume of sea-going traffic of any port in southern Africa. Durban is South Africa’s premier container facility, as well as the busiest, deep-water bulk and break-bulk port, with the largest capability for handling containerised sea traffic.
The port is modern and well equipped, offering a wide range of goods and passenger handling facilities. These are backed up by a versatile grouping of specialised and general warehouse and materials handling organisations and road, rail, air and pipeline transport systems. Durban Port offers the following facilities: port operational facilities, container terminal, Break-bulk cargo facilities, bulk handling facilities, bulk liquid storage, dedicated refined-sugar terminal, motor vehicle terminal, dry-dock and ship repair facilities, vessel re-victualing, passenger vessel terminal, and yacht basin.
Transhipment-warehousing and bond-warehousing are also available. The Port has undergone a R1.34 billion investment programme aimed at upgrading existing facilities, increasing capacity and accommodating the latest mega-container vessels with more projects in the pipeline, including a new dedicated passenger terminal [www.ports.co.za/durban-harbour.php, (2010)].
(b) Richards Bay Port
Richards Bay is South Africa’s main bulk cargo port. Richards Bay Port consists of a dry bulk terminal, a multi-purpose terminal and the privately operated coal terminal.
Other private operators within the port include several wood chip export berth or one of the normal cargo handling berths depending on the size of the ship. There is a modern marina at the small craft basin. Water sports and recreational facilities are available in the harbour at reserved places. The Richards Bay port also receives cruise liners although no dedicated terminal is available [http://www.saponet.co.za, (2010)].
127 4.9.1.2 Road Network
KwaZulu-Natal has two national double carriageway highways running through the Province. These are the N2, which runs along the coast from South to North, and the N3, which runs from Durban westwards and is the main road link to Johannesburg and Gauteng and other inland areas. The City of Durban has a well-developed freeway system, which links into the national highways. The Western Freeway, which serves as a gateway for all traffic entering the city from the north via the N2 and the south via the N3, is currently undergoing a R110-million upgrade ahead of 2010 - and an 'intelligent transport system' that will re-direct motorists, through the use of electronic sign boards, during peak times or in case of an accident is currently being completed.
Fully recognising the economic importance of a good road infrastructure, the KwaZulu-Natal Department Transport has instituted an on-going, long-term programme to continually upgrade the Province’s road network. Major infrastructure projects being undertaken include:
The African Renaissance Road Upgrading Programme (ARRUP), which includes the upgrading of eight major rural road transport corridors
The construction of P700 (Ulundi to Hluhluwe/Mfolozi Game Reserve) construction of P577 (Duffs Road to kwaDabeka)
The rehabilitation/upgrading as well as upgrades of roads in uMzimkhulu.
Sani Pass
The roads to support the Dube Trade Port.
(i) Taxis
Minibus taxis are South Africa's cheapest, fastest and most popular form of public transport but are not for the faint-hearted. Currently the South African government is implementing a R 7.7 billion Taxi Recapitalisation Programme to rid the country’s roads of unsafe minibus taxis and introduce new and reliable vehicles. Most major cities in KwaZulu-Natal have metered taxi services. They are significantly more
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expensive than other means of public transport, but are fast, safe and convenient.
Metered taxis are not allowed to travel between cities.
(ii) Car Hire
Major national and international car hire companies have offices both in major city centres and at the larger airports. Vehicles are available in different sizes and classes, and all have accident and theft insurance. Many of the car hire companies are prepared to deliver or fetch vehicles from even distant hotels or lodges on behalf of customers [http://www.sa-venues. com/travel/kzn_carhire.htm, (2010)].
4.9.1.3 Air
A major milestone was achieved on the 1st of May 2010 with the opening and operations of the Dube Trade Port (DTP) and King Shaka International Airport.
Meanwhile the King Shaka International Airport has processed more than 4, 5 million passengers since opening and this is projected to grow in the year ahead by 7, 5%.
The cargo terminal handled more than 6, 300 tons of cargo up to the end of February 2011 and 4, 550 tons were imports valued in excess of R180 million and 1, 750 tons were exports valued at approximately R60 million. At the same time more than 8, 000 tonnage of domestic baggage was also processed. The cargo terminal received its first full 747 Boeing flight in September 2009, carrying 100 tons of special equipment for ship repairs. The trade zone's warehouse facility is also fully operational and for the first time houses the local airfreight logistics industry under one roof. The overhead conveyor system, one of few such facilities globally, has been commissioned. This is expected to ensure that DTP stays at the leading edge of cargo security and will improve cargo movement between the terminal and the Trade House [http://www.kzntopbusiness.co.za/site/economic-developmnt, (2010)].
The King Shaka International Airport links to all major South African cities, as well as a selection of international destinations, catering for both passenger and airfreight needs. The national carrier, South African Airways, and a number of other commercial airlines serve KwaZulu-Natal’s smaller cities and larger game reserves, allowing visitors to charter flights. Major towns with good airport facilities are
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Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay and Ulundi. Many other towns have airfields for light aircraft [http://www.airports.co.za/, (2010)].
4.9.1.4 Rail
Spoornet and the SA Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) control South Africa’s rail network. Spoornet provides goods, container services as well as long distance passenger services. Metrorail, a division of Transnet Ltd, is responsible for operating the metropolitan commuter system. Metrorail is contracted to provide this service to the South African Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC), which owns the rolling stock and most of the infrastructure. The Department of Transport has embarked on a comprehensive recapitalisation programme to improve rail safety and revive rail transport as a viable public-transport alternative.
Over the past few years, the government has contributed some R884 million to the remodelling and refurbishment of rail commuter stations. The private sector provided investment of about R1, 6 billion in more than 120 projects on land and properties adjacent to and surrounding rail commuter stations. The Durban - Gauteng corridor is to have a new high speed rail link to assist with improving rail transports competitiveness with road transport. The high speed train will also be used as a tourist attraction and for sight-seeing between Durban and Johannesburg. Soon commuters on Durban's trains will have new coaches with comfortable seating and improved safety, upgraded stations en route, including a new station in the King's Park precinct, Durban. In addition, secure park areas and riding facilities at key places on the line are also planned for big international events and conferences. The newly launched Shosholoza Meyl will provide an affordable inter-city passenger service between major destinations in South Africa [http://www.transnet.net, (2010)].