Page 64 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2018

UMGUNGUNDLOVU DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

www.umdm.gov.za

RICH AND COMPLEX Tourism Initiative
The uMgungundlovu District Municipality is the second With its municipal seat at Howick, uMngeni Municipality
largest municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, and includes presents a mix of manufacturing enterprises, leisure
the capital city of the Province, Pietermaritzburg. and sporting facilities and a burgeoning agricultural
sector. Howick Falls, Karkloof Falls and Midmar Dam
The district has a rich and complex natural environ- are all tourism attractions, and the Midlands Meander
ment with numerous resources, including traditional is arguably the most successful tourism initiative in
farmland communities, informal rural settlements South Africa.
and upmarket urban areas. An efficient network of
roads and railways links the rural areas with urban The area lends itself to beef and dairy farming, timber
centres with the N3 national road offering substantial production and the cultivation of vegetables.
opportunity for development.
Bustling Town
The vision of the Umgungundlovu District Municipality The administrative centre of Mpofana Local
was to evolve into a metropolitan and the retention Municipality is the bustling town of Mooi River, which
and expansion of business was pivotal in achieving takes its name from the Mooirivier (pretty river) and
this, said, uMgungundlovu District Municipality Mayor Little Mooi tributary.
Cllr TE Maphumulo.
The population/area ratio is the lowest in the district,
Seat of the District emphasizing the viability of agricultural crops such as
The Msunduzi Municipality is centred on the city of maize, wheat, beans, peas and potatoes. Cattle and
Pietermaritzburg, which is the seat of the district sheep are farmed extensively, and the area boasts
municipality. Pietermaritzburg, the second largest some of South Africa’s best racehorse stud farms.
city within KwaZulu-Natal and the eighth largest city
in South Africa is poised for significant growth in the Ecologically Sustainable
coming years. The Impendle Local Municipality borders on the
majestic Drakensberg mountain range which
Tourism and Agriculture Opportunities highlights the potential for ecologically sustainable
Based in Wartburg / New Hanover, the uMshwathi tourism enterprises, particularly those focused on
Local Municipality is the largest of the seven muni- indigenous rock art, prolific bird life and fly-fishing.
cipalities, comprising almost 2 000 km . The area Community based craft endeavours and emerging
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has good rainfall, fertile soils and a temperate climate micro enterprises point to the future.
which results in the area contributing 40% of the total
sugar cane and maize production of uMgungundlovu. Predominantly Rural
The Albert Falls and Nagle Dams offer tourism and Named after the largest town in the area, Richmond
agriculture opportunities, with leisure activities Local Municipality is synonymous with timber, fruit
including bass fishing, canoeing, kayaking and rowing and vegetable production, and wood products. The
an attraction for locals and visitors. The municipality is municipality is a place of great natural beauty with
located in an area that was largely under the control of significant tourist attractions. Most of the population
tribal authorities until very recently. resides in areas which are predominantly rural and

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