Decades-old Durban CBD businesses wait for city revival - IOL

Yunus Kamroodeen, outside his family’s business, Safey Bazaar, on Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street.

DECADES-OLD businesses in Durban’s CBD are watching and waiting as the eThekwini Municipality moves to establish a dedicated entity to revive the city centre and restore its economic potential.

Earlier this year, the municipality announced that its proposed Inner-City Development Company intended to accelerate the regeneration of Durban’s CBD and surrounding areas by improving service delivery, attracting investment, leveraging public-private partnerships and creating a more vibrant and inclusive urban hub.

But while the city develops its plans, business owners who have survived for decades in the CBD said they have already endured years of decline.

The shop was once frequented by well-known people, including the late Clive Barker, a South African football coach.

Yunus Kamroodeen of Safey Bazaar said the family business, which specialises in sportswear and footwear, had been trading since 1958 and was initially located in Field Street before moving to Dr Yusuf Dadoo (formerly Grey) Street.

Kamroodeen said the CBD of 30 or 40 years ago was vastly different from what it was today.

“Back then the shop attracted customers from across Durban, including Phoenix, Chatsworth and KwaMashu, and weekends were so busy that there was barely time to eat or speak to friends. But things have changed drastically, including the CBD, which has deteriorated,” he said.

He said the decline was evident in unkempt roads and pavements, unresolved infrastructure problems, crime and congestion.

“A section of a side road across from our shop had been dug up for more than a month to repair a burst water pipe. It is still open, and water continues to leak.” 

Kamroodeen said the decline had also resulted in many local businesses leaving the CBD, while others closed. 

However, his family has opted to remain.

“We cannot close because we have been here for years. We are also older, and these are our last few years to keep the business running, as there will be no one to take over since the younger generation have taken different career paths. 

“But while we are still around, we would like to see change.  Any attempt to revive the inner city must start with basic municipal services. The municipality should provide basic services that are better than now, like fixing the roads and pavements and combating crime should be a priority.” 

Kamroodeen said the local government elections (LGE) on November 4 brought hope. 

“We have been through many elections and many promises; we can only hope for the best.” 

Refuse scattered on roads across the Durban CBD.

Naiem Hasshaum, whose family owns an electronics store on Denis Hurley (formerly Queen) Street, said previously there was more foot traffic and, as a result, the CBD was quieter. 

“Crime is a concern for business owners in the CBD. People are afraid to come out, and there is not much police visibility. The metro police officers mainly stand at the traffic lights, which does not benefit businesses on the inside roads.”

Billy Patel, owner of RD Patel and Sons, on Bertha Mkhize (formerly Victoria) Street, said the family business had operated in the CBD for 49 years, and that his dad also owned another shop in the area.

RD Patel and Sons sells grains, groceries, and packaging. 

“There is a big difference in service delivery from when we first opened to now. The streets used to be clean, and you rarely saw refuse outside your shop or on the roads. The refuse is now only collected three days a week. Due to the vagrants, bin bags are torn open, and after they take what they need, it is left as is. It is an eyesore, and there is a stench.”

Despite the challenges, Patel said moving elsewhere was not an easy option.

“Our business serves a specialised market. There is a nearby herb market, which relies on us for packaging material such as plastic bags and bottles. Our business will not fit any other area. We have also established relationships with customers.” 

Patel said he was hopeful for change following the LGE. 

“But I don’t believe there will be much change.”  

A section of a road that has not been repaired following a burst water pipe over a month ago.

Another long-standing hardware store owner, who asked not to be named, said his family had also spent decades operating businesses in the CBD.

“The Durban CBD is our roots. It is where we grew up,” he said.

He remembers when the city centre was cleaner and safer.

“There was a time when a person could leave their keys in their car and run into a shop, and it would be in the same spot. We could also walk around late at night, but now we would not dare. We watch people being robbed right in front of us, but would not intervene as we would get killed.”  

He said the decline had been gradual, with street cleanliness, infrastructure, and security all deteriorating.

“I remember when the municipal workers washed the streets in the evenings. You don’t see them anymore.”

A vagrant rummages through a broken bin along Denis Hurley Street.

The businessman said the drainage system was not properly maintained. 

“When there is heavy rainfall, the water rises in the street because the manholes are blocked. It was raining so heavily last week that the water rose so rapidly that our shops would have flooded if it continued. If you lift the manhole covers, you will see waste blocking the flow of water.”

He said safety remained another concern.

“There is insufficient police visibility in the CBD. I remember when businesses worked with the police, and a camera system helped combat crime. There were cameras on most streets. At one stage, we identified a syndicate breaking into cars. But that system has not been operational for about 15 years.”

He believed restoring the CBD's economy required a broad approach.

“It won’t take one election and promises by a party to see a change. They should be making the changes before asking us to vote for them.”

Senzelwe Mzila, the city's marketing and communications spokesperson, said the municipality acknowledged the concerns raised by CBD businesses.

“In 2025/26, the municipality invested approximately R127.9 million to rehabilitate 13 strategic roads in and around the inner city, upgrading about 65 lane-kilometers. These included Umgeni Road, Dr Pixley ka Seme Street, Margaret Mncadi Avenue, Soldiers Way and the M4, with improvements to stormwater drainage and pedestrian safety.

“Further maintenance is prioritised by condition, urgency and technical assessment. Weekly multi-disciplinary operations target illegal dumping, illegal structures and unlawful use of public spaces. Metro police has intensified intelligence-led operations, and CCTV infrastructure is being repaired and upgraded, with new camera sites identified in crime hotspots,” he said.