Thandanani Informal Settlement Upgrade Delayed Due to Community Disputes (2021–2024)

Show Voice Options In 2021, the eThekwini Municipality announced plans to upgrade the Thandanani and Havelock informal settlements in Ward 34, Durban. The upgrades were designed as in-situ developments—improving water, sanitation, electricity, and road access without relocating residents. However, by mid-2022, the project faced major opposition from Greenwood Park ratepayers, who filed a petition (signed by over 250 people) objecting to the lack of public consultation, the temporary nature of the upgrades, and fears around declining property values, rising crime, and overloaded infrastructure. Havelock, badly damaged by a fire in December 2019, and Thandanani, which faces similar hazards and land use challenges, were both placed on hold by 2023, pending further stakeholder engagement. Although eThekwini has since advanced its Community Development Programme (CDP) in 2023–2024, Thandanani was not included in the initial seven pilot sites. The delay has highlighted deep tensions between formal residential areas and informal settlements, especially around land rights and long-term development planning. The upgrade effort involves key partners: eThekwini Municipality (since 2021) Project Preparation Trust (PPT) uTshani Fund & CORC Shack/Slum Dwellers International (SDI) University of KwaZulu-Natal and University of Westminster (via ISULabaNtu project, active since ~2019) As of mid-2024, the municipality has signaled intent to reopen dialogue, but no formal construction or rollout has begun. Experts continue to advocate for community-led, incremental upgrading and the allocation of serviced plots with secure tenure as a more sustainable alternative.