Page 15 - 2019\20 KZN Top Business Portfolio - EBOOK

KWAZULU-NATAL IN CONTEXT

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Location and Richards Bay, around which KwaZulu-Natal is
KwaZulu-Natal is one of the nine provinces in South established, are two of Africa’s gateways to the sea
Africa. Situated on the east coast of the country, lanes of the world. Durban and Richards Bay ports are
KwaZulu-Natal neighbours three other provinces: southern Africa’s busiest in terms of handling cargo
Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and the Free State. by value and bulk respectively. The Durban – Free
KwaZulu-Natal borders the countries of Mozambique State – Gauteng logistics and transport corridor forms
and Eswatini in the north, and Lesotho in the south. the backbone of South Africa’s freight transportation
network and is vital in facilitating economic growth for
Area the country.
The province is South Africa’s third smallest, taking up Special Economic Zones
7, 7% of the country’s land area and has a total area of
94 361 km². The Dube TradePort is home to King Shaka International
Airport which forms the heart of the first purpose-built
Main cities and towns aerotropolis in Africa and is destined to become a
Pietermaritzburg (Capital) Durban, Ulundi, Eshowe, premier business and trade hub. The Dube TradePort
Newcastle, Richards Bay is the only facility in Africa that brings together an
international airport, a cargo terminal, warehousing,
Municipalities
offices, a retail sector, hotels, and an agricultural area.
Local government in KwaZulu-Natal is organised
into the eThekwini Metropolitan Council, and ten The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ)
district municipalities, namely: Amajuba; iLembe; is a purpose built and secure industrial estate on the
Harry Gwala; Ugu; uMgungundlovu; uMkhanyakude; north-eastern South African coast. The N2 business
uMzinyathi; uThukela; King Cetshwayo and Zululand. corridor links the Province’s two major ports, Durban
Each district is further divided into a varying number and Richards Bay, and connects with Maputo in
of local municipalities. Mozambique and, ultimately, areas of East Africa.
Climate Economy
The summer-rainfall coastal regions are hot and KZN is the second largest contributor to the economy of
humid, with a subtropical climate. The Midlands area the country, generating a percentage share of national
is drier, with extremely cold conditions in winter and GDP of 16 per cent after Gauteng with a percentage
snow on the high-lying ground. In the north, the share of GDP of 35.2%; this proves that the province
subtropical strip extends around Eswatini to the edge plays a significant role in SA’s economy.
of the escarpment. Economic Sectors
Population The province offers a competitive advantage in manu-
The province is home to the largest percentage (20% facturing, transport, storage and communications,
of the South African population), an estimated 10,9 as well as finance and business services. It is well
million people (2015). Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) positioned in agriculture, forestry and fishing, agri-
estimated the mid-year population of the country as 55, cultural resource-intensive manufacturing and in the
6 million in 2016. tourism and accommodation sectors.
Many of the people either live or work in fast developing Economic activity is concentrated in the metropolitan
first world urban centres with competitive infrastructure, areas of Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Richards Bay.
or in very under resourced rural areas. Tourism
Principal Languages KZN has many tourist attractions: stunning mountainous
The province comprises a multicultural mix of people areas, wildlife reserves (with big five animals – lion,
and the principal languages are IsiZulu 82,5%; English elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhino) and beautiful beaches
12,5%; and Afrikaans 13,2% washed by the warm Indian Ocean. The province has
two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: iSimangaliso
Monarchy Wetland Park and uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park.
KwaZulu-Natal is the only province with a monarchy Lifestyle
specifically provided for in the Constitution.
KZN comprises diverse people, a mixture of cultures,
Infrastructure
a relaxed coastal lifestyle with all necessary amenities
Of major significance is that the ports of Durban and a business-friendly environment.
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