Баллито қаласы: даму мен туризм орталығы

The N2 national route (North Coast Toll Road) is the main freeway passing Ballito from KwaDukuza in the north to Durban in the south, with off ramps at Ballito Drive. The R102 runs north/south, bypassing Ballito from Umhlali in the north to oThongathi in the south. The coastal M4 runs north/south from Ballito to uMhlanga (passes through Ballito as Ballito Drive and Leo Boyd Highway). Both the R102 and M4 are the untolled alternative routes to the N2 northbound and southbound.

Today Ballito is a thriving community of its own with ties to primary and high schools in and around Ballito, uMhlanga, KwaDukuza (Stanger) and oThongathi (Tongaat). Ballito has grown exponentially in recent times and has two shopping malls, Lifestyle centre and The Junction. Ballito has a strong tourism economy, home to a number of family adventure attractions such as the crocodile farm and microlight flights and tours. It is a holiday destination with hotels and self catering accommodation, swimming (Willard) and surfing beaches (Boulder). A promenade about long along the beach front allows for walking and jogging. The Gunston 500 surfing contest, renamed Ballito Pro sponsored by Billabong, has been shifted from the Bay of Plenty in Durban's Golden Mile to Ballito where it is held annually in July. There are four beaches along the Ballito stretch of beach including the main beach, Willard Beach as well as Salmon Bay Beach (non swimming), Clarke Bay Beach and Thompson’s Bay Beach. Further north up the coast are the beaches of Salt Rock, Sheffield Beach and Tinley Manor.

Ballito's business sector has also grown significantly with a large commercial business park bordering the N2 freeway. With a full service industry within the commercial business park, Ballito now caters to a growing business community on the North Coast. Enterprise iLembe, the region's investment arm, has been formed to develop Ballito and the iLembe area as an investment destination of choice. The development of the King Shaka International Airport and Dube TradePort to the south have also contributed significantly to the growth of Ballito.

The recent investments in Ballito have positioned the town as the main retail hub along the North Coast of KwaZulu Natal, servicing the coastal region with a wide variety of shopping centres, motor dealerships and other retail amenities. Ballito is mainly served by the Ballito Junction Regional Mall, the second largest shopping centre north of Durban after the Gateway Theatre of Shopping in uMhlanga. Smaller shopping centres in the vicinity of Ballito include Ballito Lifestyle Centre, New Salt Rock Shopping Centre and Tiffany's Shopping Centre.

In recent years, there has been a population boom in Ballito. Various secure or gated estates, the largest being Zimbali Estate followed by Simbithi, have been built in and around the town on land that was previously used as sugar cane farms. Many new hotels and resorts have opened, drawing even more tourists into this picturesque part of the KwaZulu Natal coast. Plans are currently on the table for new schools to be constructed, a new town centre, a taxi rank, and a larger clinic. The main entrance to Ballito from the N2 highway has been upgraded, with the construction of an multi level interchange to ease traffic, the widening of the road to four lanes in Ballito Drive, and proper pedestrian walkways. Today Ballito and its neighbours, Shaka’s Rock, Salt Rock and Sheffield Beach have virtually merged into one long strip of seaside towns. The Greater Ballito area also includes the nearby settlements of Umhlali, Shakaskraal and Tinley Manor Beach.