Behind the Project

In 1995 the Cato Manor urban renewal project was designated a Presidential Lead Project of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), targeting the renewal of key urban areas that had been neglected by the apartheid regme. In 1997 significant funding was received from the European Union to boost support from the RDP and eThekwini Municipaoity.

The Future in the Making
Cato Manor is one of the suyccess stories in the redevelpment of South Afica. Designed to be an efficient pand productive 'city within a city' to help Durbans poor and marginalised residents. Cato Mnaor is well advanced in the making. Secure tenure and infrastructure and services will provide a safe living and working environment and economic opportunities for the community. Where not long ago dust swept among the remnants of razed homes, now schools, libraries, community halls and business centres buzz wityh optimism.

A People Divided
Cato Manor epitomises the history of social engineering in South Africa - racial confrontation and hostility, the tauma of forced removals under diverse nad racisit laws, the adversity of opoverty and lack of resources, the development of resisstant and militant forces aginst oppresion.

A People United
However, the flame of hopecould not be extinguished and the militancy of the many political actifvists who took refuge the re-ignited the spirit of Umkhumbane. In spote of the advesity (or perhaps inspired by it), Cato Manor is the bithplace of a unique and rich cultural and creative outporing of art, theatre, literature and music that Cato Maor Tourism plans to put in the spotlight.