The Group Areas Act
With the passing
of the Group Areas Act (no. 41 of 1950) the Durban City Council appointed
a technical sub-committee of officials, on 20 November 1950, to deliberate
on the rezoning of the city. The Grey Street area was proclaimed a "controlled
area" in 1957. The effect of this proclamation was to freeze all developments
within the area as ministerial permission had to be obtained from the Minister
of Community Development before any development could take place. In addition,
development of property for residential purposes in the Grey Street area
was precluded.
In June 1971 the Minister of Planning announced that the Grey Street area
was to be zoned for Indian business and light industry. Approximately 13
000 residents in the Grey Street area were to be removed. However, a promised
Government Gazette notice to the effect that Grey Street would remain an
Indian business zone did not materialise and many entrepreneurs were forced
to abandon their building plans as the uncertainty over Grey Street area
continued. In April 1973 the Grey Street area was eventually proclaimed
an Indian business area. The proclamation applied the Group Areas Act limiting
occupation and ownership to Indians for business only in the area bounded
by Derby Street, Albert Street, Commercial Road, Grey Street, Pine Street,
Cathedral Road, Queen Street, Cemetery Lane, Victoria Street, the Railway
Reserve, Cross Street, Alice Street and Carlisle Street.
As a result property owners had no incentive to maintain property and
many of the buildings in the area began to decline. In terms of industry
and commerce, residential and other requirements of the various race groups.
Grey Street was declared an "affected area" and for more than twenty years
the area faced an uncertain future. The effect of the declaration was that
no development could take place in the Grey Street area without the approval
of the Minister.
