UKZN Backs Manor Gardens Revitalisation Project, Urging Student and Property Owner Involvement

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The Manor Gardens Ratepayers and Residents Association (MGRRA) is collaborating with UKZN to support a community revitalisation project near the University’s Howard College campus. In alignment with UKZN’s strategic goal of enhancing the student experience, this initiative seeks to uplift the Manor Gardens suburb, a hub for many UKZN students living in rental accommodation.

Founded to serve the needs of Manor Gardens residents, the MGRRA aims to address urban decay and advocates for fair municipal policies. Driven by a strong sense of civic pride, the association encourages dialogue among ratepayers and residents through membership, promoting an understanding of civic issues and fostering social cohesion among property owners, tenants, and local workers.

In response to a rise in muggings, theft, and general crime, the MGRRA partnered with Community Policing Forums (CPFs), private security providers, the South African Police Service, and the Metro Police to install security cameras throughout the area. While effective, these security measures have been costly and challenging to maintain, leading the association to seek more sustainable funding solutions. This effort has included pursuing the Special Rating Area (SRA) policy, mandated by eThekwini Municipality under Section 22 of the Municipal Property Rates Act. With a mixed-use SRA model, all properties, including both residential and business, would share in the costs, contributing to enhanced community safety and infrastructure.

Due to the complex nature of the SRA process, in the interim, a Manor Gardens Urban Improvement Precinct (MGUIP) has been established as a solution to managing the policy requirements. Chairperson of the MGUIP Steering Committee, Mr Shaun Kruger, a UKZN lecturer within the School of Law, explained that the voting process for the SRA requires 66+1% of residents and 50%+1 of local businesses to be in favour. ‘Since we required so many votes, our Committee and the co-opted members of the Manor Gardens community worked tirelessly to contact property owners by phone, social media, and door-to-door visits, and I am glad to say, it has paid off and we have the necessary number of votes,’ said Kruger. ‘With the establishment of the Manor Gardens Urban Improvement Precinct (MGUIP), we aim to improve safety and quality of life for all who live and work in Manor Gardens, enhancing property values and fostering environmental sustainability and community cohesion.’

‘The steering committee will now apply formally to eThekwini Municipality for the establishment of the SRA,’ said Kruger. The MGUIP will be run by an SRA Management Company, a non-profit organisation, with a MGUIP manager and administrator appointed to oversee its initiatives. ‘The MGUIP will sign a three-year finance agreement with the city, and annual general meetings will ensure continued community involvement,’ Kruger added.

MGUIP Steering Committee Secretary Ms Deidre Taylor urged the community to rally behind the project, emphasising the need for student and accommodation owner participation. ‘Events like the recent Bring and Braai and Information Day not only fund security efforts but also unite residents, helping secure votes for the MGUIP,’ said Taylor. ‘We want to make Manor Gardens safe for all who live here, from residents to students and renters alike.’

Kruger expressed gratitude to the Steering Committee for their commitment and hard work in getting the required votes, and although the process of establishing the SRA is not completed, it is definitely a step in the right direction.

For more information on the MGUIP, click here.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photograph: Supplied