By Nivashni Nair

The KwaZulu-Natal government is not going to give up on its R44-billion AmaZulu World project, as long as Dubai investment company Ruwaad Holdings is interested in going ahead with the North Coast development.

Earlier this month, the provincial government hit its second stumbling block in the project when its memorandum of understanding with Ruwaad expired.

This, as well as the refusal of the Macambini community to give up its land to make way for the development, near the new King Shaka international airport, in La Mercy has cast doubt on whether the project will go ahead.

But outgoing Premier S’bu Ndebele said yesterday that a government team had been formed to negotiate with the community and he was confident that the community would “appreciate the project in time to come”.

The community has protested against the development and vowed that Ndebele will “not get his hands” on their land.

Together with their chief, Inkosi Khayelihle Mathaba, they oppose the uprooting of over 8500 families from their ancestral land.

The AmaZulu World project involves building an entertainment park, sports village, shopping centre and “education and health village”.

Ndebele said yesterday that the development was an investment, and its rejection would have an adverse affect on future investments.

“Other investors would think that we do not want their investments and this could impact badly.

“If we say ‘No’ to this, who else is going to come and give us their money? No one is going to beg to give us their money,” he said.

KwaZulu-Natal director-general Kwazi Mbanjwa told The Times that a deal for a rival project was invalid because it did not have the approval of the government.

The rival deal was signed by Chief Mathaba with another Dubai company, Sports City International. It involves a smaller development that will not displace residents.

Mbanjwa claimed the Macambini community accepted the Amazulu World project when it was announced last year.

He said the project, on 7500ha of land, was part of a 25-year development plan.

Source: The Times