The Golden Mile in Durban is set to receive another hospitality establishment as the local brand Mojo's prepares to increase its presence on the beachfront after successfully obtaining a lease for a prime property on South Beach.
According to the eThekwini Municipality, the business, widely recognized for Mojo's Carwash & Shisanyama, was selected as the winning bidder to lease and manage the municipal property located at 17 Erskine Terrace for a term spanning nine years and eleven months.
This relocation signifies a major step forward for a company that originated in Chesterville two decades ago and has since become a well-known entity within Durban's social, food, and entertainment sectors.
Initially, Mojo's operated as a simple car wash in Chesterville. Over time, it developed into Mojo's Carwash & Shisanyama, establishing itself as a spot where dining, socializing, and entertainment converge.
The enterprise subsequently broadened its scope by expanding to Davenport in Glenwood, moving beyond its initial operational area. The transition to South Beach marks the next phase of this growth trajectory, bringing the Durban-based brand into one of the city's primary areas for leisure and tourism.
This new development could offer beachgoers, local residents, and tourists an additional choice among the expanding array of hospitality and entertainment options along the Golden Mile.
However, specific information regarding the new beachfront concept, the financial investment involved, prospective job openings, and the official opening date remains unannounced.
The awarding of the lease followed an open tender process initiated by the municipality in November 2023. The final announcement was postponed because an unsuccessful bidder filed an appeal under the municipality's Supply Chain Management Policy.
An independent appeals body rejected the appeal and confirmed the initial decision. Subsequently, the unsuccessful bidder initiated judicial review proceedings to contest the ruling. These legal actions were later withdrawn, with the withdrawal notice being officially filed at the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court in Pietermaritzburg on October 1, 2026.
The municipality stated that this withdrawal has paved the way for the lease award to be put into effect and for the new operator to commence work. Furthermore, it emphasized that municipal property opportunities must be distributed through procedures that guarantee fairness, equity, transparency, and competitiveness.
Mojo's expansion onto the beachfront is integrated into a wider municipal initiative aimed at attracting private capital and rejuvenating Durban's coastline. Other planned projects include a fifty-year lease agreement with Southern Sun for the Elangeni and Maharani hotels, which involves a substantial capital investment commitment.
Additionally, the municipality has signaled that construction for the planned redevelopment of 137 Lower Marine Parade is anticipated to start in January 2027. The municipality affirmed its commitment to collaborating with Mojo's to ensure smooth implementation and allow the beachfront operation to open as soon as practically feasible.
For the time being, Durban residents and visitors must await further disclosures concerning Mojo's plans for its new South Beach location.
