View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

Ulundi to Pietennaritzburg as the main setback to the economy of Ulundi since over four in
five ofthe working class were in the government departments.
The property value was also impacted negatively by this decision since the supply now
became greater than demand. Approximately 2% of household heads indicated that this
situation had worsened the unemployment profile of Ulundi as labour which could not cope
with high rentals in the new provincial capital, were forced to forgo their jobs in
Pietermaritzburg.
Certain existing valuable infrastructural facilities in Ulundi were left underutilised.
Mangosuthu Airport and the state-of-the-art legislative building were unused to their highest
potential. Lack ofskills and expertise (one in five), limited infrastructural facilities (over one
in five), limited partnerships between all stakeholders (5.8%), low level of education (about
one in ten) and distant market were also considered as additional factors undermining the
growth and development ofthe economy ofthe place. About 8% ofthe respondents admitted
that they did not know much about the dynamics ofeconomics and could not tell whether the
economy ofUlundi was doing well or not.
The ZDM acknowledged the multifactoral nature of the challenges facing the growth and
development of the study area. Meanwhile, the planning unit (ZOM) pointed out that the
ownership ofthe Mangosuthu Airport had been transferred to the district from the province.
Apart from increasing accessibility to the area, the operation of the airport would also add
value to the growth and development of Ulundi. Both domestic and international tourists
would have more access to the tourism products the area offered at their convenience (Sibiya,
Per. Comm., Thursday, 22-03-2007b). This in turn would have a positive multiplier effect in
broadening the economic prospects that tourism could present in the area.
Tourism as a vehicle to stimulate the LED of Ulundi had not been fully tapped. The
Municipality considers tourism as a key role player in local economic development (LED).
However, a tourism marketing strategy for Ulundi that seeks to link the landscape and cultural
heritage has not been fully established. The municipal management indicated that in the
process ofreviewing LED for Ulundi, a more conducive environment for public participation
221