A sign that reads ‘Hollywood coming soon’ along Masabalala Yengwa Avenue. The site has been earmarked for a proposed multibillion-rand film studio complex. However a property rates dispute between developer Anant Singh and the eThekwini Municipality has led to delays.
The eThekwini Municipality reaffirmed its commitment to the Durban Film Studio despite delays and allegations of frustrating the project with punitive property rates that are preventing it from getting off the ground.
The City said negotiations with the developer of the multi-billion rand project are still ongoing to resolve the rates dispute. This commitment was made during a meeting with members of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) last week. The members had pressed the city on its plans for economic growth. The city stated that the proposed Durban Film Studio project is one of many key economic initiatives aimed at transforming Durban’s economy and creating employment.
The film studio project is led by developer Anant Singh and has been delayed for several years due to a prolonged legal challenge and other factors.
Singh’s office has raised concerns about the latest delays over rates on various platforms, including with the presidential working group deployed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to address service delivery challenges faced by the metro.
