Page 58 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2018

KING CETSHWAYO DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

Mayor: Municipal Manager:
Cllr N Mkhulisi Mr M Nkosi
www.kingcetshwayo.gov.za

BOOSTING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY The municipality has the benefit of about 45 km of
coastline of which about 80% is in its natural state.
The magnificent King Cetshwayo District Municipality Linked to its coastal locality is the Richards Bay deep-
is located in the north eastern region of the KwaZulu- water port that has been instrumental in the spatial
Natal Province on the eastern seaboard of South development of the area in the past and will definitely
Africa. It stretches from the agricultural town of impact on the area’s future development.
Gingindlovu in the south, to the uMfolozi River in the
north and inland to the mountainous beauty of rural World-Famous
Nkandla. The N2 highway links the district to other The uMfolozi Municipality is located close to the St
significant economic centres such as Durban and Lucia Estuary, a world heritage site, and to the popular
Johannesburg. It also offers a direct route to Maputo fishing spot of Mapelane as well as the world-famous
in Mozambique. The development of the Richards Bay Hluhluwe-Umfolozi game reserves.
Industrial Development Zone is boosting economic
activity and attracting international investors. The main town of KwaMbonambi is located close
to the N2 highway, the national artery, which runs
King Cetshwayo District has a good climate and an from Cape Town to Mozambique carrying investors,
abundance of natural resources. The arable land is business and tourist traffic. KwaMbonambi is in close
suitable for large- scale agricultural initiatives, like the proximity to the harbour and industrial complex of the
present sugar and forestry as well as specialised and City of uMhlathuze, comprising the towns of Richards
intensive agricultural opportunities like natural oils Bay and Empangeni. The Owen Sithole College of
and fruits cultivation. The intrinsic beauty and cultural Agriculture, which is located in the area, contributes to
heritage of the area enhances the opportunities for the advancement of agricultural research and training.
tourism in the district.
KwaMbonambi, with its abundance of land has
The district has the third highest population in the
Province. King Cetshwayo District is characterised been as identified as a primary development node.
by low levels of urbanisation; approximately 80% There is potential for residential and an industrial
of the people live in the rural areas. The district is development, as well as the expansion of its well-
further characterised by large infrastructure backlogs, developed timber industry.
particularly in respect of water and sanitation mainly
in the rural areas. Commercial Centre
Mthonjaneni Municipality is approximately 170km
The King Cetshwayo District Municipality comprises north of Durban. Mthonjaneni is one of the smallest
the local municipalities of City of uMhlathuze, uMfolozi, municipalities in South Africa, but it has the distinction
Mthonjaneni, Nkandla, and uMlalazi. of being regarded as one of the healthiest places to
live in this country.
Economic Powerhouse
The City of uMhlathuze comprises the economic Melmoth is a commercial centre for its surrounding
powerhouse of Richards Bay and Empangeni, and its rural areas within the municipal area and is one of
supporting areas of Esikhawini, Ngwelezane, Nseleni, the administrative centres of economic significance
Felixton, Vulindlela, and rural areas. The City of in the District. It is evident, that cultivated land and
uMhlathuze is the commercial and economic hub in the forestry forms the backbone of the rural economy,
northern part of KwaZulu-Natal, and a key centre and situated mostly on both sides of the N2 with large
driver of growth in South Africa. forestry areas evident.

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