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(e) White Umjolozi river andAloeplants<br />

The White Umfolozi river is the main drainage system <strong>of</strong>the Ulundi local area. The climate<br />

<strong>of</strong>Ulundi is generally dry and relatively hot, yet the white Umfolozi is perennial in nature. In<br />

spite <strong>of</strong> its presence, Ulundi experiences water supply challenges from time to time. The<br />

occasional water shortage discourages and undermines tourism in the area.<br />

Aloe is a common plant that grows in the study area and its immediate surrounding<br />

municipalities like Nongoma, Pongola and Abaqulusi. The aloe has a huge market potential<br />

as a result <strong>of</strong> its inherent medicinal value both locally and internationally. The study<br />

recognizes that little has been done about the aloe plant in terms <strong>of</strong> feasibility studies to<br />

determine the market and economic spin-<strong>of</strong>fs from its harvesting and processing (Sibiya, Pers.<br />

Cornm., Thursday, 22-03-2007b).<br />

(f) Battlefields - Historical sites<br />

The Ulundi area has a long history <strong>of</strong> conflict. The Ulundi Battlefield where the final battle<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Anglo-Zulu war was fought is located in this municipality. The battle <strong>of</strong> Gqokli hill<br />

fought between the forces <strong>of</strong>King Shaka and Inkosi Zwide <strong>of</strong>the Ndwandwe in 1818 is found<br />

in Ulundi (www.heritagekzn.com).<br />

These historical trails have significant tourism potential both on the domestic and<br />

international fronts. The economic spin-<strong>of</strong>fs that these have on the improvement <strong>of</strong> the<br />

quality <strong>of</strong> life <strong>of</strong> the Ulundi rural communities is crucial. However, the implicit<br />

developmental potentials <strong>of</strong>these historical trails have not been used fully in UJundi.<br />

(g) Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Airport<br />

The Ulundi Local Municipality has a state-<strong>of</strong>-the-art airport, with over 8000 square metres<br />

size <strong>of</strong>adjacent buildings comprising <strong>of</strong>departure and arrival halls, <strong>of</strong>fices and stores for civil<br />

aviation purposes. This airport has remained unused since 2002 on socio-economic and<br />

political reasons. This study envisages that operating this facility again in the study area<br />

would leverage the economic impetus that tourism wields in the area. Potential local and<br />

international tourists to the <strong>Zululand</strong> region would have the leisure <strong>of</strong>air flights and avoid the<br />

long distance travel by road. The closeness <strong>of</strong> the P700 road to the airport and their link to<br />

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