THE much-loved viewing deck at the end of the uMhlanga Promenade has been repaired and reopened, much to the delight of residents.

The space was badly damaged by a fire in 2022 but it has taken the eThekwini Municipality and its Coastal Engineering team just two months to repair and reinstate it to the tune of R650 000.

Local resident Pierre Tostee, who lives on Lagoon Drive, recalls the night the fire broke out.

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“My wife and I saw this massive inferno from our windows and I remember calling the fire department, who had already been alerted. They tried their best to battle the blaze but by the time they put the fire out the deck was significantly damaged.

“As residents we are delighted to have it back. It gives us a beautiful lookout, especially for those doing runs in the morning. It is also a nice way to start or end the day. Tourists love the viewing deck too. Like before it is also wheelchair and pram friendly so you can enjoy whenever. It was well-missed and we are glad that it has been reopened,” he said.

According to eThekwini Municipality’s marketing and communications director, Mandla Nsele, the deck has been restored to its original size.

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“During the reinstatement process, the Coastal Engineering team experienced challenges related to the extent of damage. Notably, more sandbags had been burnt than initially anticipated, which resulted in a slight increase in project costs. The deck has been reinstated to its original size and dimensions, with no expansion or reduction.

“No fire-retardant coating has been applied to the deck, however, the relevant authorities have installed a fire hose and hydrant near the site to enhance fire response capability,” Nsele said.

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