EYE ON THE PRIZE

High hopes the Durban Eye Ferris wheel project will create jobs and pull in the crowds all year long, writes Suthentira Govender

The proposed R450m Durban Eye Ferris wheel is one of several projects set to reignite KwaZulu-Natal’s tourism sector, which was severely damaged by Covid, last year’s unrest and the recent devastating floods.

Premier Sihle Zikalala made the announcement at the recent Africa’s Travel Indaba event.

The wheel will be set on the northern breakwater on Vetch’s Beach in the Point Waterfront precinct. The project is being spearheaded by the Durban Iye Wheel —a private, black female-owned business, founded by Boitumelo Mokgatle.

“The key role of the business is to source and secure funding for the project, manage all operations and ensure the business has a successful operating model for the brand, the KZN province and the city,” she says.

She says there’s been the wrong perception that the project and attraction is owned by the eThekwini municipality.

“The concept and execution of the Durban Eye is fully owned by three owners, who are actively sourcing funding from national and provincial DFIs [development finance institutions], a Dutch funder, and a local equity funder in the tourism industry.

They could not commit to a confirmed start date but were confident it would happen this year, “with the view to launching in 2023”.

Mokgatle said the Durban Eye will also add value for destination marketing. “It will most certainly have a direct impact on the tourism industry and the greater GDP of the province and the city,” she said.

“While we are not oblivious to the crippling impact of the pandemic, and most recently the devastating floods, we are confident that an attraction of this scale will do the following: create job opportunities; secure events; and create a further worldclass attraction to travellers to choose the KZN province, which will have a ripple effect on the broader tourism industry.”

Extensive feasibility studies, market research and insight have given them the confidence that the attraction “will bring much excitement for travellers internationally and locally.

“We have ensured that our marketing plans and activities include robust marketing and communications campaigns that will keep patrons visiting the Durban Eye throughout the year,” Mokgatle says.

“Understanding the tourism landscape, we will also work closely with all relevant stakeholders within the province and the city to align yearly objectives and campaigns. This includes engaging with blue-chip, multinational, global and local brands to partner with on events, sponsorship opportunities and activations.”

While the core attraction will be the Durban Eye, the company will also build a restaurant area, children’s game area, souvenir shop and an amphitheatre events space and entertainment activities.

eThekwini municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela says that after months of evaluation, the northern breakwater was determined to be the most suitable location for the proposed investment.

“The project includes a giant Ferris wheel ... with complementary product offerings. These will include merchandising, food and beverage outlets in a permanent ‘carnival setting’ with ample open space, ablutions and amphitheatres.

“This is a city initiative as it relates to making the land available to the now prequalified bidder who will invest in the design, development, construction, operation and management of the facility at no cost to the municipality. The city will generate revenue through rentals, with inflation-linked escalations year on year over the proposed 30-year period. After that, the municipality will inherit the asset and all building improvements.”