eThekwini Municipality has successfully completed three major stormwater infrastructure projects worth R232.6 million in the South Durban Basin, strengthening flood resilience and drainage capacity in Prospecton, one of the city’s key industrial, manufacturing and logistics hubs.
The projects comprise the R180 million Prospecton Road Canal Upgrade, the R46 million Clark Road Sea Outfall in Isipingo, and the R6.6 million Umlazi Mission-A sports field attenuation upgrade.
Designed as an integrated stormwater management system through detailed hydraulic modelling of the Prospecton catchment, the projects aim to slow stormwater flows upstream, improve drainage through Prospecton, and enhance the capacity to discharge water into the sea during severe weather events.
The infrastructure upgrades highlight the role of investment in resilient drainage systems to protect industrial assets, support economic activity, and safeguard surrounding communities and transport networks.
The South Durban Basin is one of the city’s most significant manufacturing and logistics zone, supporting thousands of jobs. It serves as a critical link in national and international supply chains.
City Manager Musa Mbhele said continued investment in infrastructure is essential to ensuring the area’s long-term sustainability, competitiveness and resilience.
Mbhele said manufacturers and investors need confidence in the infrastructure that supports the environments where they operate, employ people and export goods.
The completion of the projects comes as Durban hosts SA Auto Week at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre this week, under the theme: “Transforming Tomorrow Today.”
“These projects demonstrate the value of targeted, evidence-based infrastructure investment. As the automotive industry gathers in Durban this week, the completion of these works reflects the city’s commitment to supporting one of South Africa’s most important manufacturing hubs, while also safeguarding surrounding communities and transport networks,” Mbhele said.
Project highlights
The R180 million Prospecton Road Canal Upgrade was completed in June 2026 after 26 months of construction. The project involved the upgrade of 1.96 kilometres of canal infrastructure, replacing the existing sloped canal walls with a reinforced concrete base slab and vertical retaining walls to increase stormwater carrying capacity.
The project also delivered a 1.3-kilometre pedestrian walkway and two dedicated taxi lay-bys measuring 150 metres and 75 metres, respectively.
The R46 million Clark Road Sea Outfall in Isipingo was completed in June 2025 to improve the area's capacity to discharge stormwater into the ocean during heavy rainfall.
The project included the installation of 350 metres of precast portal culverts and a 100-metre pipe-jacked section beneath the beach dune. The dune area has since been fully rehabilitated.
The R6.6 million Umlazi Mission-A sports field attenuation upgrade was completed in January 2025, transforming the sports field into a dual-purpose facility for community recreation and stormwater management.
The field was lowered by between 1.5 and 2 metres to temporarily hold stormwater during heavy rainfall and release it gradually, reducing the risk of downstream flooding. The facility was subsequently re-grassed and restored for continued community use.
Mbhele expressed appreciation to affected residents, including businesses and commuters in Prospecton, Isipingo and Umlazi for their cooperation throughout the construction period.
He also urged the public to help protect the infrastructure by refraining from dumping waste into canals and stormwater systems and by reporting blocked drains to the municipality.
The stormwater upgrade programme forms part of the municipality’s broader commitment to building resilient infrastructure, strengthening climate adaptation measures, and supporting sustainable economic development across eThekwini. – SAnews.gov.za
