Page 58 - 2019\20 KZN Top Business Portfolio - EBOOK

ILEMBE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

www.ilembe.gov.za
Darnall sugar milling operations at Stanger and the
Sappi Paper mills at Mandeni. The commercial farming
areas of KwaDukuza, Mandeni and Ndwedwe (31% of
the iLembe District) are mainly under privately owned
sugar cane.
The most distinguishable characteristic of the
Maphumulo Local Municipality is its predominantly
rural nature. Sugar cane cultivation is the main
economic activity and land use in the municipality.
Ndwedwe Local Municipality consists mainly of poor
black communities whose livelihood depends on
RAPIDLY GROWING ECONOMIC
subsistence farming.
CORRIDOR
The northern areas of Ndwedwe, the central corridor
iLembe District Municipality is well positioned between of Mandeni and KwaDukuza Municipality are the
two of the busiest ports in Africa, namely Durban commercial farming hubs of the district, which include
and Richards Bay. In addition, the municipality’s forestry, fruit and vegetable farming, tunnel farming,
proximity to King Shaka International Airport, new and fresh cut flowers.
schools, hospitals, regional retail centres and multiple Village centres such as Maphumulo and Ndwedwe
recreation options, as well as the temperate climate, in the West, Nyoni and Mbizimbelwa in the north,
are critical features of this north coast region. comprise of commercial and service development in
iLembe consists of the following local municipalities: the rural areas. They largely exist in association with
KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Maphumulo and Ndwedwe. The a magistrate’s court, clinic, pension pay point, health,
district is made up of 45 Traditional Authorities (TA) education and welfare office or similar state service.
areas where settlement is controlled according to a Despite its strategic location, iLembe faces numerous
traditional land tenure system. economic challenges such as the high levels of poverty
The diverse culture of this region has been shaped in the rural inland areas, which contrasts with rapid
by people from three continents; Africa, India, and development along its coastal regions. The District
Europe, offering a unique vibrancy to the municipality. has been proactive in developing Enterprise iLembe,
iLembe District is committed to people’s development, a broad-based institution aimed at facilitating local
building unity and a sense of belonging across racial economic development in response to its challenges
and cultural barriers. of high rates of unemployment and correspondingly
high levels of poverty.
In KwaDukuza, Ballito is the central business hub
for the rapidly growing economic corridor between
Umhlanga and Richards Bay. The municipality has
several well-established and popular tourism and
residential developments including Brettenwood,
Zimbali, Simbithi, Dunkirk, Seaward, Shortens, Umhlali
Country Club, Caledon and Palm Lakes. Many others
are under development.
Mandeni Local Municipality is located midway between
Durban and Richards Bay, and lies on the development
corridor on the north coast between these two major
port cities in KwaZulu-Natal. The municipality is
strategically located to provide service and derive
economic benefits from this development corridor.
Industrial development is concentrated in KwaDukuza,
iSithebe and Darnall, most notably the Gledhow and

CONTACT DETAILS Postal Address: P.O. Box 1788, KwaDukuza, 4450
Physical Address: iLembe House, 59/61 Mahatma Tel: +27 (0)32 437 9300
Gandhi Street, KwaDukuza, 4450 Website: www.ilembe.gov.za
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