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Developments set to revamp West Bank
Posted on: Thursday, 16 March 2006. Article source: Daily Dispatch
The ambitious plan by residents to rejuvenate the West Bank through heritage tourism shifted gear this week when development leaders met business.
West Bank resident Nwabisa Mafanya, who has driven the formation of the West Bank Heritage Tourism Development Trust for two years, said the meeting was an attempt to get business leaders to buy into their plan.
The businessmen were representatives of the Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) and Border Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB) representatives.
The Trust was set up to develop sustainable enterprises, micro-industries and tourism centres.
It seeks to rejuvenate the West Bank through economic development, job-creation and community development.
It also plans to use the area's history to market itself as a centre of heritage tourism.
West Bank - a mixed industrial and residential zone - has been in a state of urban decline since East London's central business district transferred to Oxford Street in the 1980s.
After lengthy consultations with the community, the Trust is now seeking partnerships with private enterprise, parastatals and government.
Ayanda Ramncwana, IDZ spokesperson, said the Trust was a positive initiative that raised issues that are important across Buffalo City. In particular, the need for housing for middle-income earners.
"We would welcome heritage tourism to the area but we need to make sure we do not interfere with initiatives that are already happening. Lots of stakeholder consultation needs to take place especially with the local municipality."
Ramncwana said Buffalo City Municipality should be brought into the Trust's plans to a greater extent.
Alan Carter, BKCOB representative, said: "It is very positive that the community has started this proactive initiative."
He said the Trust should choose projects with high chances of success and develop a strong track record of achievement.
Carter agreed with the IDZ that the Trust should consult further with stakeholders.
But transforming the West Bank will not be simple - the area is a "high HIV transmission area", according to the Health Department, and Mafanya says crime and prostitution are everyday problems.
Carter pointed out that West Bank's coastline has a severe pollution problem as all the suburb's sewage is pumped out to sea.
"This does not bode well for a top-notch development," he said.
Mafanya said the Trust realised a considerable work was needed to be done before tourists would be attracted to the area.
As a result, they were lobbying for development in a range of areas from community-based care and housing to sport, science and craft.
The West Bank was founded in 1847 with the arrival of the British military. The first large building, Fort Glamorgan, was built the following year and is the site of today's prison.
The West Bank cemetery contains Scottish and British graves, many more than a century old.
West Bank resident Nwabisa Mafanya, who has driven the formation of the West Bank Heritage Tourism Development Trust for two years, said the meeting was an attempt to get business leaders to buy into their plan.
The businessmen were representatives of the Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) and Border Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB) representatives.
The Trust was set up to develop sustainable enterprises, micro-industries and tourism centres.
It seeks to rejuvenate the West Bank through economic development, job-creation and community development.
It also plans to use the area's history to market itself as a centre of heritage tourism.
West Bank - a mixed industrial and residential zone - has been in a state of urban decline since East London's central business district transferred to Oxford Street in the 1980s.
After lengthy consultations with the community, the Trust is now seeking partnerships with private enterprise, parastatals and government.
Ayanda Ramncwana, IDZ spokesperson, said the Trust was a positive initiative that raised issues that are important across Buffalo City. In particular, the need for housing for middle-income earners.
"We would welcome heritage tourism to the area but we need to make sure we do not interfere with initiatives that are already happening. Lots of stakeholder consultation needs to take place especially with the local municipality."
Ramncwana said Buffalo City Municipality should be brought into the Trust's plans to a greater extent.
Alan Carter, BKCOB representative, said: "It is very positive that the community has started this proactive initiative."
He said the Trust should choose projects with high chances of success and develop a strong track record of achievement.
Carter agreed with the IDZ that the Trust should consult further with stakeholders.
But transforming the West Bank will not be simple - the area is a "high HIV transmission area", according to the Health Department, and Mafanya says crime and prostitution are everyday problems.
Carter pointed out that West Bank's coastline has a severe pollution problem as all the suburb's sewage is pumped out to sea.
"This does not bode well for a top-notch development," he said.
Mafanya said the Trust realised a considerable work was needed to be done before tourists would be attracted to the area.
As a result, they were lobbying for development in a range of areas from community-based care and housing to sport, science and craft.
The West Bank was founded in 1847 with the arrival of the British military. The first large building, Fort Glamorgan, was built the following year and is the site of today's prison.
The West Bank cemetery contains Scottish and British graves, many more than a century old.
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