Staff Reporter
Durban-based hospitality business Mojo’s Investment CC has secured a nine-year and 11-month lease to operate a municipal property on the city’s beachfront after a legal challenge to the tender award was withdrawn.
The eThekwini Municipality announced on Tuesday that Mojo’s had been appointed to operate the property at 17 Erskine Terrace, South Beach, following a competitive bidding process initiated in November 2023.
The award was delayed after an unsuccessful bidder lodged an appeal against the outcome and subsequently launched legal proceedings to challenge the municipality’s decision.
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The municipality said an independent appeal authority dismissed the appeal and upheld the tender award.
The unsuccessful bidder then instituted judicial review proceedings, which have since been withdrawn.
“The Notice of Withdrawal was filed with the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court in Pietermaritzburg on 1 October 2026,” the municipality said in a statement.
The withdrawal has cleared the way for Mojo’s to take over the premises, although the municipality has not yet announced when the new operation will open.
Mojo’s, which began as a car-wash business in Chesterville 20 years ago, has since expanded into the hospitality and entertainment industry through its Mojo’s Carwash & Shisanyama brand.
The business later opened Mojo’s on Davenport in Glenwood, adding a restaurant and entertainment offering to its operations.
“The move will add to the diversity of food, hospitality, entertainment, and leisure experiences available along the Golden Mile and introduce the Mojo’s concept to a broader market of residents and visitors,” the municipality said.
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It said the property award formed part of its strategy to attract private investment and revitalise underutilised municipal assets along Durban’s beachfront.
Other projects include a 50-year lease agreement with Southern Sun for the Elangeni and Maharani hotels and the planned redevelopment of 137 Lower Marine Parade, where construction is expected to begin in January 2027.
The city said that the allocation of municipal properties had to comply with legislation requiring fair, equitable, transparent and competitive bidding.
“In this instance, the competitive process has been concluded, the appeal mechanism was exercised and determined, and the subsequent judicial review proceedings have been withdrawn. The municipality is therefore proceeding with implementation of the outcome.”
It said it would work with Mojo’s to get the beachfront business operational as soon as possible.
