Socio-Economic Report - Department of Agriculture and ...

UDM ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK 

UMKHANYAKUDE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY 

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK 

Socio-Economic Assessment 

DRAFT 

May 2012 

P.O. BOX 1673 

SUNNINGHILL 

2157 

23 Jan Hofmeyer Road 

Westville 

3629 

Tel: 031 266 3884 

Fax: 031 266 5287 

Email: info@nemai.co.za 

Copyright Nemai Consulting 2012 

Socio-Economic Assessment Page 1


CONTENTS 

List of Tables .............................................................................................................. 4 

List of Figures ............................................................................................................. 5 

Introduction ................................................................................................................ 7 

Background ............................................................................................................. 7 

Purpose of the Report ............................................................................................. 8 

Data Scources ........................................................................................................ 8 

Statistics South Africa .......................................................................................... 8 

Quantec Research ............................................................................................... 9 

uMkhanyakude Municipal documents .................................................................. 9 

Stakeholder Consultation ..................................................................................... 9 

Legal Framework ....................................................................................................... 9 

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) ............................ 9 

National Environmental Management (Act 107 of 1998) ................................... 11 

Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (Act 3 of 2000) .................................... 12 

Development Facilitation Act (Act 67 of 1995) ................................................... 13 

KwaZulu-Natal Traditional Leadership and Governance Act (Act 5 of 2005) ..... 14 

Ingonyama Trust Act (Act 3 of 1994) ................................................................. 15 

Free Basic Water Policy .................................................................................... 16 

Umkhanyakude District Municipality: Indigent Policy ......................................... 16 

Socio-Economic Profile ............................................................................................ 17 

Analysis of Land Use ............................................................................................ 17 

Land use ............................................................................................................ 18 

Land Claims ....................................................................................................... 19 

Community Structure and Ingonyama Trust Board ............................................... 21 

Demographics ....................................................................................................... 24 



Population .......................................................................................................... 24 

Age and Gender ................................................................................................ 25 

Vulnerability ....................................................................................................... 26 

Infrastructure, Utiltiies and Services ...................................................................... 27 

Health ................................................................................................................ 28 

Education ........................................................................................................... 31 

Type of Dwelling ................................................................................................ 33 

Water Supply ..................................................................................................... 34 

Sanitation ........................................................................................................... 35 

Refuse Collection ............................................................................................... 37 

Energy ............................................................................................................... 37 

Transport ........................................................................................................... 38 

Saftey and Security ............................................................................................ 42 

Governance ....................................................................................................... 43 

Economy and livelihoods ...................................................................................... 43 

Economic Sectors and their Size ....................................................................... 44 

Employment ....................................................................................................... 47 

Income ............................................................................................................... 50 

Development Nodes .......................................................................................... 51 

Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative ............................................................ 54 

Other Initiatives .................................................................................................. 56 

Tourism .............................................................................................................. 57 

Agriculture ......................................................................................................... 57 

SWOT Analysis ........................................................................................................ 59 

Strengths............................................................................................................... 59 

Social ................................................................................................................. 59 

Infrastructure...................................................................................................... 59 



Economic ........................................................................................................... 60 

Weaknesses ......................................................................................................... 60 

Social ................................................................................................................. 60 



Opportunities ......................................................................................................... 62 

Social ................................................................................................................. 62 



Threats .................................................................................................................. 63 

Social ................................................................................................................. 63 



Targeted Stakeholder participation .......................................................................... 64 

Management Priorities ............................................................................................. 65 

Bibliography ............................................................................................................. 66 

LIST OF TABLES 

Table 1: Number of settled claims in uMkhanyakude (Land Claims Commission: 

Kwazulu-Natal, 2012) ............................................................................................... 20 

Table 2: Number of unsettled claims in uMkhanyakude (Land Claims Commission: 

Kwazulu-Natal, 2012) ............................................................................................... 21 

Table 3: uMkhanyakude Local House of Traditional Leaders Members (Institution of 

Traditional Leadership, 2010) ................................................................................... 22 

Table 4 Population Statistics of UDM (Stats SA, 2001) (Statistics South Africa, 2007) 

................................................................................................................................. 24 

Table 5: Age and Gender (Statistics South Africa, 2007) ......................................... 25 

Table 6: Municipal Spatial Classification System (Business Trust, 2007) ................ 26 



Table 7 Education levels for persons over the age of 20 (Statistics South Africa, 

2007) ........................................................................................................................ 31 

Table 8: Schools per Demarcation ........................................................................... 33 

Table 9: Percentage distribution of households by type of main dwelling (Statistics 

South Africa, 2007)................................................................................................... 34 

Table 10: Percentage distribution of households by water source (Statistics South 

Africa, 2007) ............................................................................................................. 35 

Table 11 Percentage distribution of households by type of toilet facilities (Statistics 

South Africa, 2007)................................................................................................... 36 

Table 12 Percentage distribution of households by type of refuse disposal (Statistics 

South Africa, 2007)................................................................................................... 37 

Table 13: Energy usage (Statistics South Africa, 2007) ........................................... 38 

Table 14: uMkhanyakude DM Crime Statistics per population (1:10000) (Institute for 

Security Studies , 2011) ........................................................................................... 42 

Table 15: Excerpt from Qualitative prioritisation of the top five sectors (Business 

Trust, 2007) .............................................................................................................. 47 

Table 16: Unemployment Rate and Labour Participation Rate 2010 (Quantec 

Research (Pty) Ltd, 2012) ........................................................................................ 48 

Table 17 Monthly income bracket per employed person between 15 - 65 (Statistics 

South Africa, 2007)................................................................................................... 50 

Table 18: Economic Nodes in uMkhanyakude by local municipality (uMkhanyakhude 

District Municipality, 2010) ....................................................................................... 52 

Table 19: BRUs suitable for cultivation, in order of suitability, (Isikhungusethu 

Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd, 2008) .................................................................. 58 

LIST OF FIGURES 

Figure 1 uMkhanyakude DM and 5 Local Municipalities .......................................... 18 

Figure 2: Landuse map ............................................................................................ 19 

Figure 3: Map of gazetted and settled land claims ................................................... 20 

Figure 4: Map of land owned by the Ingonyama Trust Board and Traditional 

Authorities ................................................................................................................ 23 



Figure 5: Access to social infrastructure. .................................................................. 27 

Figure 6: Maps showing children under 5 years not gaining weight (left) and 

malnutrition cases (right) .......................................................................................... 31 

Figure 7 Number of schools in UDM ........................................................................ 32 

Figure 8: Main transportion corridors in UDM ........................................................... 39 

Figure 9: Main development lines in UDM ................................................................ 44 

Figure 10: Gross Value Added per industry to uMkhanyakude (Quantec Research 

(Pty) Ltd, 2012) ........................................................................................................ 45 

Figure 11: Employment per Industry (Quantec Research (Pty) Ltd, 2012) ............... 46 

Figure 12: Employment by number of people for 2010 (Quantec Research (Pty) Ltd, 

2012) ........................................................................................................................ 48 

Figure 13: employment by skill level......................................................................... 49 

Figure 14: Development Map of UDM (Isikhungusethu Environmental Services (Pty) 

Ltd, 2008) ................................................................................................................. 54 

Figure 15: Lubobmo SDI locality Map (Regional SDI Programme, 2011) ................ 56 



INTRODUCTION 

BACKGROUND 

The uMkhanyakude District Municipality in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal 

Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs & Rural Development has 

embarked on a process to develop an Environmental Management Framework for 

the entire district municipal area. Nemai Consulting are the independent consultants 

appointed to develop the Environmental Management Framework (EMF). 

This Socio-Economic Impact Assessment was developed as part of the EMF 

process to understand the economic and social issues in the district to ensure 

sustainability in management priorities. 

In order to address the triggers for sustainable development in the UKDM the 

specific objectives of the EMF will include the following: 

1. To enhance understanding of environmental planning and management 

issues within the district municipal area; 

2. To facilitate decision-making to ensure sustainable management of natural 

resources; 

3. To provide strategic guidance on both environmental, economic and social 

issues in the district; 

4. To identify environmentally sensitive areas; 

5. To identify the environmental and development opportunities and constraints; 

6. To assess the economic and environmental potential of the area; 

7. To provide a decision support system in respect of environmental issues and 

priorities in the district; 

8. To formulate a strategy that will incorporate issues such as land use, planning 

and sensitive environmental resources; 

9. To include existing policies as frameworks for establishing values, guidelines 

and standards for future developments; 

10. To establish and sustain long-lasting relationships between the District family 

of Municipalities with various key strategic partners in the ongoing 

environmental planning and management fraternity within the district 

municipal area. (i.e. Traditional Councils, Communities, Isimangaliso Wetland 

Park, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, organs of state, neighbouring countries, etc.); 

11. To contribute towards the creation of institutional capacity within the Family of 

Municipalities on environmental planning and management; 

12. To create awareness and build capacity on Environmental Planning and 

Management within the district municipality; and 

13. To serve as a Sector Plan within the IDP and SDF on environmental matters 

(SDF/IDP& EMF Alignment). 



PURPOSE OF THE REPORT 

The International Association for Impact Assessment (2003) states that Social 

Impact Assessment includes the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing 

the intended and unintended consequences of planned interventions (policies, 

programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by these 

interventions to create a more sustainable and equitable biophysical and human 

environment (Vanclay, 1999) 

The analysis of impacts will be performed for two stages, the construction phase and 

operational phase. This will help to determine the loss/gain on welfare, as well as the 

extent of impact on the economy in the area. 

SEIA is a methodology used to assess the social impacts and economic impacts of 

planned interventions or events, and to develop strategies for the ongoing monitoring 

and management of those impacts (International Association for Impact Assessment, 

2003). Social changes implemented through projects can multiply into more projects 

and change. These impacts and changes can either be positive or negative 

(Vanclay, 1999). 

DATA SCOURCES 

STATISTICS SOUTH AFRICA 

The discussion of the demographics and the development profile of the municipality 

will be carried out using Census 2001 data produced by Statistics South Africa. 

Additional demographic and service delivery information was taken from the 

Community Survey 2007. 

The Census 2001 data is the most comprehensive dataset available for the area, 

and despite it representing data that is eleven years old, it is currently the best data 

at hand. The analysis will be conducted using the Census 2001 subplace as the 

smallest geographic unit of measure. The subplaces have been extracted using the 

project GIS, and the data for the affected sub places will be presented in the table 

and figures below. 

Where the data has been broken up into rural and urban sub places, this has been 

done using the Census 2001 “1996 Definition” which uses a land-use density 

definition rather than the alternative, population density, definition. This breakdown 

has been included so that the rural and urban populations can be separated. 

The Community Survey 2007 was conducted by Statistics South Africa and was 

intended as an update on selected Census 2001 data. This survey methodology 

relied upon a sample taken of the population in each sub place, and was not an 



enumeration such as Census 2001. Thus, this survey is more updated, but less 

comprehensive, than the figures derived from Census 2001. 

QUANTEC RESEARCH 

Quantec Research (Pty) Ltd is a South African based consultancy which focuses on 

the marketing, distribution and support of economic and financial data, country 

intelligence and quantitative analytical software. Quantec maintains and distributes a 

comprehensive set of data collections covering macro and regional socio-economic, 

industry and international trade data. Data such as gross value added and the 

unemployment rate were sourced from Quantec. 

UMKHANYAKUDE MUNICIPAL DOCUMENTS 

Municipal information used includes the following: 

Spatial Development Framework 

Integrated Development Plan for UDM and its five Local Municipalities. 

Various reports on the social and economic profiles UDM 

STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION 

In terms of stakeholder consultation, various stakeholders were identified during the 

development of the report to gain an understanding of the status quo. Information on 

the socio-economic conditions of UDM or LM were discussed specifically aspects 

that make up the SWOT. 

LEGAL FRAMEWORK 

CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (ACT 108 OF 1996) 

As contained in the Constitution the rights of all South African’s are protected by 

Chapter 2 of the Bill of Rights. These rights form the basis of democracy in South 

Africa. The Bill of Rights applies to all law, and binds the Legislature, the Executive, 

the Judiciary and all organs of state. 

Key rights in the Bill that have a bearing on social rights and issues include: 

Life: Everyone has the right to life; 

Human Dignity: Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity 

respected and protected; 

Equality: Everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection 

and benefit from the law; 



Freedom of religion, belief and opinion: Everyone has the right of freedom of 

conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion; 

Environment: Everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their 

health or well being, and to have the environment protected for the benefit of 

present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other 

measures that prevent pollution and ecological degradation, promote 

conservation and secure ecologically sustainable development and the use of 

natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development; 

Property: No person may be deprived of property except in terms of the law of 

general application, and no law may permit arbitrary deprivation of property. 

Property may be expropriated only in terms of the law of general application for a 

public purpose or in the public interest. The public interest includes South 

Africa’s commitment to land reform and to reforms to bring about equitable 

access to all South Africa’s natural resources. Property is not limited to land; 

Health care, food, water and social security: Everyone has the right to have 

access to health care services, including reproductive health care, sufficient food 

and water and social security, including, if they are unable to support themselves 

and their dependents, appropriate social assistance; 

Language and culture: Everyone has the right to use the language and 

participate in the cultural life of their choice, but no one exercising these rights 

may do so in a manner inconsistent with any provision of the Bill of Rights; 

Cultural, religious and linguistic communities: Persons belonging to cultural, 

religious or linguistic communities may not be denied the right, with other 

members of the that community to enjoy their culture, practice their religion and 

use their language, and to form, join and maintain cultural, religious and linguistic 

associations and other organs of civil society. These rights must be exercised in 

a manner that is consistent with any provision in the Bill of Rights; 

Access to information: Everyone has the right of access to any information held 

by the state and any information that is held by another person and that is 

required for the exercise or protection of any rights; and, 

Just administrative action: Everyone has the right to administrative action that is 

lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair. Everyone whose rights have been 

adversely affected by administrative action has the right to be given written 

reasons. This right has been given effect via the Promotion of Administrative 

Justice Act (PAJA). 



TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP 

Recognition 

a) The institution, status and role of traditional leadership, according to 

customary law, are recognised, subject to the Constitution. 

b) A traditional authority that observes a system of customary law may 

function subject to any applicable legislation and customs, which includes 

amendments to, or repeal of, that legislation or those customs. 

c) The courts must apply customary law when that law is applicable, subject 

to the Constitution and any legislation that specifically deals with customary 

law. 

Role of traditional leaders 

a) National legislation may provide for a role for traditional leadership as an 

institution at local level on matters affecting local communities. 

b) To deal with matters relating to traditional leadership, the role of traditional 

leaders, customary law and the customs of communities observing a 

system of customary law 

1. National or provincial legislation may provide for the establishment of 

houses of traditional leaders; and 

2. National legislation may establish a council of 

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (ACT 107 OF 1998) 

The National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) and the principles contained 

therein have a significant influence on the need to identify and assess socioeconomic 

impacts. The NEMA principles are based on the basic rights as set out in 

Chapter 2 (Bill of Rights) of the Constitution. 

According to Barber (2007:16) the following NEMA principles have an important 

impact on social issues: 

Environmental management must place people and their needs at the forefront of 

its concern, and serve their physical, psychological, developmental, cultural and 

social interests equitably; 

Development must be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable; 

Environmental management must be integrated, acknowledging that all elements 

of the environment are linked and interrelated, and it must take into account the 

effects of decisions on all aspects of the environment and all people in the 

environment by pursuing the selection of the best practicable environmental 

option; 

Environmental justice must be pursued so that adverse environmental impacts 

shall not be distributed in such a manner as to unfairly discriminate against any 

person, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged persons; 



Equitable access to environmental resources, benefits and services to meet basic 

human needs and ensure human well-being must be pursued and special 

measures may be taken to ensure access thereto by categories of persons 

disadvantaged by unfair discrimination; 

The participation of all interested and affected parties in environmental 

governance must be promoted, and all people must have the opportunity to 

develop the understanding, skills and capacity necessary for achieving equitable 

and effective participation, and participation by vulnerable and disadvantaged 

persons must be ensured; 

Decisions must take into account the interests, needs and values of all interested 

and affected parties, and this includes recognising all forms of knowledge, 

including traditional and ordinary knowledge; 

Community well-being and empowerment must be promoted through 

environmental education, the raising of environmental awareness, the sharing of 

knowledge and experience and other appropriate means; 

The social, economic and environmental impacts of activities, including 

disadvantages and benefits, must be considered, assessed and evaluated, and 

decisions must be appropriate in light of such consideration and assessment; 

The right of workers to refuse work that is harmful to human health or the 

environment and to be informed of dangers must be respected and protected; 

Decisions must be taken in an open and transparent manner, and access to 

information must be provided in accordance with the law; 

The environment is held in public trust for the people. The beneficial use of 

environmental resources must serve the public interest and the environment must 

be protected as the peoples’ common heritage; and, 

The vital role of women and youth in environmental management and 

development must be recognised and their full participation therein must be 

promoted. 

PROMOTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE JUSTICE ACT (ACT 3 OF 2000) 

As stated in the Guideline Document for involving Socio-Economic Impacts 

Assessment Specialists in the EIA process which was prepared in February, 2007, 

by Tony Barbour for the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development 

Planning, Western Cape Province, in terms of the Bill of Rights everyone has the 

right to administrative action that is lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair. This 

right has been given effect via the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA). 



Barbour further contends that provisions of the PAJA apply to all decisions of all 

organs of state exercising public power or performing a public function in terms of 

any legislation that adversely affects the rights of any person. The Act also 

prescribes the procedure that must be followed by an organ of state when it takes 

decisions. 

If an organ of state implements a decision that impacts on an individual or 

community without granting them an opportunity to comment, the ultimate decision 

will be unlawful and may be set aside. The Act also imposes a duty on organs of 

state to explain and justify the manner in which they have reached their decisions 

and, in the case of social issues, how these issues were considered in the decisionmaking 

process. 

DEVELOPMENT FACILITATION ACT (ACT 67 OF 1995) 

Concerning land development various principles are set out in Section 3 of the 

DFA. A few of these principles are briefly highlighted below, as contained in the 

Guideline Document for involving Socio-Economic Impacts Assessment Specialists 

in the EIA process which was prepared in February, 2007, by Tony Barbour for the 

Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Western Cape 

Province (Barbour, 2007): 

Promoting the integration of the social, economic, institutional and physical 

aspects of land development; 

Promoting integrated land development in rural and urban areas in support of 

each other; 

Promoting the availability of residential and employment opportunities in close 

proximity to or integrated with each other; 

Optimising the use of existing resources including such resources relating to 

agriculture, land, minerals, bulk infrastructure, roads, transportation and social 

facilities; 

Promoting a diverse combination of land uses, also at the level of individual erven 

or subdivisions of land 

Discouraging the phenomenon of "urban sprawl" in urban areas and contributing 

to the development of more compact towns and cities; 

Contributing to the correction of the historically distorted spatial patterns of 

settlement in the Republic and to the optimum use of existing infrastructure in 

excess of current needs; 

Encouraging environmentally sustainable land development practices and 

processes; 



Promoting land development which is within the fiscal, institutional and 

administrative means of the Republic; 

Promoting the establishment of viable communities; and, 

Promoting sustained protection of the environment. 

KWAZULU-NATAL TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE ACT (ACT 

5 OF 2005) 

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government recognises traditional communities if it is 

subject to the system of traditional leadership in terms of that community’s customs 

and observes a system of customary law. 

Partnership between traditional councils and municipalities 

The Provincial Government must promote partnerships between 

municipalities and traditional councils through legislative and other measures. 

The partnership envisaged in subsection (1) must be based on the principle of 

mutual respect and recognition of the status and roles of the parties. 

Without derogating from the generality of subsection (1), a traditional council 

may submit a proposal to the municipal council to adopt a by-law, which the 

traditional council may consider to be necessary in respect of any matter 

directly affecting the area of its jurisdiction. 

The proposal envisaged in subsection (3), may be accompanied by a draft of 

the proposed by-law and must be motivated in writing 

The municipal council must consider the proposed by-law at its next meeting 

and may request comments from its municipal manager. 

In the event that the municipal council does not accept the proposed by-law, 

the municipal council must, in writing, inform the traditional council of its 

decision and must give reasons for its decision. 

Support to traditional councils 

The Provincial Government or the relevant municipal council may adopt such 

legislative or other measures as may be necessary to support and strengthen 

the capacity of traditional councils to fulfill their functions. 

The Provincial Government or the relevant municipal council may, within that 

sphere of government’s means, give traditional councils support to enable the 

traditional councils to perform their functions. 

The support envisaged in this section may include transport assistance where 

it is feasible taking into consideration budgetary constraints. 

Functions of traditional councils 

to administer the affairs of the traditional community in accordance with 

customs and tradition; 



to assist, support and guide traditional leaders in the performance of their 

functions; 

to work together with municipalities in the identification of community needs; 

to facilitate the involvement of the traditional community in the development or 

amendment of the integrated development plan of a municipality in whose 

areas that community resides; 

to recommend, after consultation with the relevant Local House and the 

Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, appropriate interventions to 

government that will contribute to development and service delivery within the 

area of jurisdiction of the traditional council; 

to participate in the development of policy and legislation at local level; 

to participate in the development programmes of municipalities and of the 

provincial and national spheres of government; 

to promote the ideals of co-operative governance, integrated development 

planning, sustainable development and service delivery; 

to promote indigenous knowledge systems for sustainable development and 

disaster management; 

to alert any relevant municipality to any hazard or calamity that threatens the 

area of jurisdiction of the traditional council in question, or the well-being of 

people living in such area of jurisdiction, and to contribute to disaster 

management in general; 

to share information and co-operate with other traditional councils; 

to perform the functions conferred by customary law, customs and statutory 

law consistent with the Constitution. 

(m) to uphold the values of the traditional community; 

(n) to reject and proscribe such practices as the sowing of divisions based on 

tribalism; 

(o) to promote peace and stability amongst members of traditional 

communities; and 

(p) to promote social cohesion within the traditional community. 

INGONYAMA TRUST ACT (ACT 3 OF 1994) 

The Ingonyama Trust was established by the KZN-Ingonyama Trust Act. This 

legislation Transferred land under jurisdiction of the former KwaZulu Government to 

the Ingonyama Trust. 

The Ingonyama Trust was established in terms of the KwaZuluNatal Ingonyama 

Trust Act, (Act 3 of 1994). This Act was amended by National Act 9 of 1997. Among 

other things, the KwaZulu-Natal Ingonyama Trust Amendment Act provided for the 

establishment of the Ingonyama Trust Board. The primary objective of the Board is 

to function as landowner-in-law of Ingonyama Trust land, which is in extent of some 

2.7 million hectares spread throughout KwaZulu-Natal. 



This legislation provides for His Majesty the King to be the sole trustee but in terms 

of the 1997 amendments the Board came into operation on the 2 October 1998 to 

actually administer the affairs of the Trust. The Chairperson of the Board is His 

Majesty the King or his nominee. The members are appointed by the Minister, 

subject to consultative procedures laid down in the Act. 

The core business of the Trust is to manage the land for the “material benefit and 

social well being of the individual members of the tribes”. However, no alienation or 

burdening of the land may occur without the written permission of the relevant 

traditional or community authority. 

FREE BASIC WATER POLICY 

The Free Basic Water Policy was introduced in 2000 recognising the importance of 

having a clean and adequate water supply. The policy allows that every household to 

get 6 000 litres of water per month at no cost within a 200 metre distance from a 

household (Hall, Leatt, & Monson, 2006). 

It is up to municipalities to ensure that the policy is implemented, as three targeting 

options are provided: 

1. Rising Block Tariff: with access to taps and meters, the free 6 000 litres 

(block) is provided to water users and there after subsequent usage (or block) 

is billed at increasing rates for increasing consumption. 

2. Targeted Credits or Subsidies: where people are considered “indigent” a 

subsidies amount is credited to their bill monthly. 

3. Service Level Targeting: this option limits access of water to the minimum 6 

000 litres per month. This is provided for either through a communal tap 

system which is within the 200 meter service level. 

UMKHANYAKUDE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY: INDIGENT POLICY 

Due to the high levels of poverty and unemployment in the uMkhanyakude, the 

municipality has adopted an indigent policy to assist households who are unable to 

pay for normal municipal services (uMkhanyakude District Municipality, 2005). 

The policy states: “households with a verified total gross monthly income of all 

occupants over 18 years of age does not exceed R800.00, or such other amount as 

the uMkhanyakude Municipal Council may from time to time determine, qualify for a 

subsidy on property rates and service charges for sewerage and refuse removal” 

(uMkhanyakude District Municipality, 2005). 

Households have to register annually to qualify as indigent which qualifies them for 

relief on services such as refuse removal and property rates. 



SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE 

The section is divided into five parts namely; 

1. Analysis of Land Use 

2. Demographics 

3. Infrastructure, Utilities and Services 

4. Economy and Livelihoods 

This section provides an overview and analysis of the important social and economic 

indicators of the uMkhanyakude District Municipality. The status quo and analysis 

thereof provides bases for identifying management priorities. 

ANALYSIS OF LAND USE 

The uMkhanyakude District Municipality falls in KwaZulu-Natal Province. It is 

situated from Mfolozi River in the south up to the Mozambique border and the 

Swaziland border in the north. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park encompasses the 

entire coastline onto the Indian Ocean. The N2 highway and part of the Lumbombo 

Mountains form a physical divide within the district. 

uMkhanyakude District Municipality is made up of five local municipalities 

namely: 

Umhlabuyalingana Municipality - KZ 271 

Jozini Municipality - KZ 272 

The Big 5 False Bay Municipality - KZ 273 

Hlabisa Municipality - KZ 274 

Mtubatuba Municipality - KZ 275 

There is also a District Management Area – ZDMA 27 which encompasses 

conservation areas and the wetlands namely, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the 

Hluhluwe, iMfolozi and Mkuze Game Reserves. 

The UDM is mostly a rural District with several small towns, the largest being 

Mtubatuba which lays it the south. According to the IDP, Manguzi, Jozini, Mkuze 

and, to a lesser extent, Mbazwana are smaller rapidly growing towns. 



Figure 1 uMkhanyakude DM and 5 Local Municipalities 

LAND USE 

According to the Spatial Development Framework of uMkhanyakude land cover in 

uMkhanyakude district is fifty percent bushland and thicket and eleven percent 

primary grassland. Fourteen percent of land is allocated for conservation. Thirty one 

percent of land is owned by Ingonyama Trust board, followed by nine percent of land 

owned by state and eight percent by companies. Three percent of the district land is 

privately owned. 

The Land use in the area is given by Figure 2 below. It can be seen that most of the 

land is Vacant or unspecified which limits the analysis of land use. A significant 

portion of the land is used for conservation or forestry. Residential land is spread 

unevenly across the district, mostly around Manguzi, Jozini, Hluhluwe, Hlabisa and 

Mtubatuba. Subsistence farming can be seen to occur in the Mkuze, Ubombo, 

Mtubatuba and Hluhluwe areas. Only a small piece of land used for mining is 

noticeable on the southern district border in Mtubatuba. Commercial and industrial 

land and cultivated land is not visible. 



Figure 2: Landuse map 

LAND CLAIMS 

There have been over fifteen settled land claims in uMkhanyakude DM and nearly 

ten land claims have not been settled. 

The figure below shows the following 

Gazetted Land Claims; 

Settled Land Claims; and 

Transferred Redistribution of Land 

Most of the land that has been claimed that is being claimed occurs on the eastern 

half of the district including areas such as Manguzi, Mbazwana and St Lucia. 



Figure 3: Map of gazetted and settled land claims 

Table 1 and 2 provided by the KwaZulu-Natal Land Claims Commission shows the 

UDM land claims that are settled and unsettled respectively for UDM. There are ten 

settled land claims in Hlabisa and Jozini, four in Big 5 False Bay and two in Hlabisa. 

The total area of UDM is 1 281 800 hectares and the number of land claims settled 

are 184 044 hectares which amounts to 14 percent of UDM land. 

Table 1: Number of settled claims in uMkhanyakude (Land Claims Commission: Kwazulu-Natal, 2012) 

Name 

LM 

Nature of 

Settlement 

Restored 

(Hectares) 

Households 

Mnqobokazi Community KZ 273 Game 8 791 220 

Makhasa Community KZ 273 Game 9 907 285 

Jobe Community KZ 273 Game 4 100 550 

Myeni Community KZ 273 Game 4 15 95 

Hlabisa/ Mpukunyoni 

Communities 

KZ 274 Conservation 24 210 1 117 

False Bay Nature Reserve KZ 274 Conservation 2 840 150 

Tembe Elephant Park KZ 272 Game 30 013 512 

Nsinde Community KZ 272 Farming 2 370 298 

Siqhakatha KZ 272 Farming 3 135 289 

Ndumo Game Reserve KZ 272 Conservation 10 637 562 

Mbangweni KZ 271 Conservation 1 262 114 

Mbila KZ 271 Conservation 52 000 1 000 

Mabaso KZ 271 Conservation 3 500 200 



Manzengwenya KZ 271 Forestry/ Farming 18 281 380 

Zikhali - Triangle Claimant 

Community 

KZ 271 Conservation 5 046 350 

Mkhuze Community KZ 272 Farming 7 537 1 002 

Overall Total 184 044 7 124 

Table 2 is a consolidated list of unsettled land claims in uMkhanyakude DM. In total 

there are sixteen unsettled land claims which are consolidated to ten areas. No 

information on the size of the land claim was provided. 

Table 2: Number of unsettled claims in uMkhanyakude (Land Claims Commission: Kwazulu-Natal, 2012) 

Name of Claim/ Claimant Type of Claim Status 

Zombizwe, Wilson Makhunga, A. Mngomezulu, JD 

Mngomezulu Community Gazetted 

St Lucia Western Shores - BJ Mfeka Community Negotiations 

A. Tembe - Community Community Negotiations 

Dukuduku Community Community Negotiations 

JB Mathenjwa, Jeremiah M. Manqele Community Research 

Mncwabe T 

Research 

Ezulwini Community Community Research 

Gumede Z T 

Research 

Makhasa Tribal Authority Community S42d 

Phased Settlement - 

Mkuze Game Reserve/Obani Community 

Community Phase 1 

COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND INGONYAMA TRUST BOARD 

The Constitution of South Africa recognised the role of Traditional Authorities and 

facilitates their involvement through the Department of Co-operative Governance 

and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). 

Traditional Authorities play an important social and economic role in the 

uMkhanyakude DM area. In each local municipality there is a traditional body that 

communicates with the local ward committees and council forming part of the 

decision making body in the area. 

As land owners, Traditional Authorities directly shape the economic conditions of the 

area. Without consultation and permission of Traditional Authorities there can be no 

development of UDM. 

There are 296 Traditional Councils in KwaZulu-Natal Province of which eighteen 

Traditional Authorities lay in the uMkhanyakude District Municipal area. Table 3 is a 

list of the Traditional Councils and the Inkosi in the uMkhanyakude DM area. 



Table 3: uMkhanyakude Local House of Traditional Leaders Members (Institution of Traditional Leadership, 2010) 

Traditional Council Title Surname Name 

Mathenjwa Inkosi Mathenjwa Bongumenzi Mbutho 

Mngomezulu Inkosi Mkhize Khanyisa Mpucuko 

Nyawo Inkosi Nyawo Mkhulumeli Maurice 

Tembe Inkosi Tembe Mabhudu Israel 

Gumede/Siqakatha Inkosi Gumede Thokozani Mbuso 

Mashabane Inkosi Gumede Sizabantu Josiah 

Mabaso Inkosi Nxumalo Nyangayezizwe Justice 

Zikhali/Mbila Inkosi Zikhali James Sonto 

Manukuza/Jobe Inkosi Jobe Siphiwe 

Myeni/Ntsinde Inkosi Myeni Silwane Ernest 

Myeni/ Ngwenya Inkosi Myeni Bhekithemba Free‐will 

Mnqobokazi Inkosi Ngwane Sabelo Khumbulani 

Qwabe/Makhasa Inkosi Gumede Zwelinzima Thwalizwe 

Nibela Inkosi Mdluli Nkosibeyiphika Johnson 

Mdletshe 

Inkosi 

Chairperson 

Mdletshe 

Bonga Nkanyiso 

Mpembeni Inkosi Hlabisa Daniel Joyful 

Abakwa Hlabisa Inkosi Hlabisa Nonhlanhla Jabu 

Mpukunyoni/Mkhwanazi Inkosi Vacant Vacant 

UDM Local house of 

Traditional Leadership 

Deputy 

Manager 

Zondo 

S’khumbuzo 

The Ingonyama Board and some traditional authorities own 50 percent of the land in 

uMkhanyakude DM. 

The Ingonyama Trust Board serves as the landowner-in-law of some 2.8 million 

hectares of land in KwaZulu-Natal. In UDM the Board is charged with administering 

this land for the material benefit and social-well being of the individual members of 

the communities. 

Some of the functions of the Ingonyama Trust Board include: 

The Trust cannot encumber, pledge, lease, alienate or otherwise dispose of 

land without the consent of the Traditional Authority or Community Authority 

concerned. 

Consent to issue of Permissions to Occupy for developments 

Issuing Prospecting Rights and Minerals Lease 3 

Figure 4 below shows the ITB Traditional land and other traditional land independent 

of the board. 



Figure 4: Map of land owned by the Ingonyama Trust Board and Traditional Authorities 

The Ingonyama Trust Board has a specified process for allowing development on 

land that is owned by them. After conducting a full Environmental Impact 

Assessment (EIA) and obtaining the land owners consent for the respective 

development, the developer will then complete formally apply to the Ingonyama Trust 

Board to develop and build on the land. The board will then meet consider whether 

or not to accept the application. 

An EIA process is time consuming and costly to complete with little or no guarantee 

on whether or not the application will be approved. Furthermore, the land belongs to 

the ITB thus securing tenure is uncertain and significantly increases the risk of 

developing on the land. 

While recognising the importance of land ownership by traditional authorities, lack of 

effective communication poses a big developmental challenge in uMkhanyakude. 

Traditional authorities have a big influence over economic growth in the area due to 

the significant amount of land owned by them. The fact that land cannot be 

purchased or developed without traditional authorities consent is seen to be stunting 

growth and commercial activity. Big business, such as 5 star hotels for boosting 

tourism, will not invest on land which is not owned or where a long-term lease is not 

secured. 

The uMkhanyakude IDP recognises the need for open communication between 

Traditional Authorities and the public sector. However, the uMkhanyakude DM 



should strive to open communication channels with the private sector as well so that 

long-term lease and development agreements can be the stimulus for growth. 

DEMOGRAPHICS 

Demographic analysis aims to understand the community, the population dynamics 

and the living conditions. Data from Community Survey 2007, Census 2001 and 

Quantec Research will used to develop this understanding. 

POPULATION 

Using Statistics South Africa data presented in Table 4, the population for UDM in 

2001 was 573 341 persons which increased to 614 046 in 2007. Households during 

this period increase from 25 959 in 2001 to 27 006 in 2007. 

Jozini LM has the largest population of 207 250 persons. This is followed by 

Umhlabuyalingana LM where the population rose from 140 98 to 163 694 during the 

period. Conversely, Hlabisa LM, with the third largest population had declined over 

the period from 176 890 to 150 557 persons. Despite this decline in population, the 

number of households in Hlabisa has increased from 26 876 in 2001 to 38 260 in 

2007. 

The uMkhanyakude SDF reports the population growth rate to be 1.65 percent in 

comparison to South Africa’s population growth rate of 2.7 percent. The SDF states 

that this growth rate is affected by HIV/AIDs which has raised the death rate. 

Migration and urban bias are also contributing factors to low population growth. 

(Isikhungusethu Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd, 2008). 

Table 4 Population Statistics of UDM (Stats SA, 2001) (Statistics South Africa, 2007) 

Municipality 

Average Household 

Persons 

Households 

Size 

Census 

Census 

Census 

CS 2007 

CS 2007 

CS 2007 

2001 

2001 

2001 

Umhlabuyalingana - 

KZN271 

140 958 163 694 25 959 27 006 5.3 6.0 

Jozini - KZN272 184 052 207 250 33 534 38 530 5.4 5.3 

The Big Five False 

Bay - KZN273 

31 291 34 991 6183 6 657 48 5.2 

Hlabisa - KZN274 176 890 150 557 26876 29 260 6.5 5.1 

Mtubatuba - KZN275 33 612 46 596 7472 11 339 4.2 4 

DMA27 65 38 10 958 1539 2 181 4.1 4.6 

uMkhanyakude 573 341 614 046 101563 114 973 5.5 5.3 

The household sizes for the region are also provided for in the table above. There 

has been a marginal decline in household size for Jozini from 5.5 persons to 5.3. 

Umhlabuyalingana LM has the highest average household size of 6 persons in 

contrast to Mtubatuba LM with 4 persons per household. 



AGE AND GENDER 

Age and Gender are important to understand the level of economic activity that is 

likely to occur, as well aspects of migration and gender-headed households. Analysis 

of uMkhanyakude DM population indicates that strong migration of males out of the 

area leaving female headed households and a strong dependency on youth in the 

areas. 

According to Community Survey 2007 data shown in the table below, 54 percent of 

the population age below the age of 20 indicating a large number of youth in the 

area. Of this population 51 percent are male and 49 percent are females. 

Table 5: Number of People per Age and Gender (Statistics South Africa, 2007) 

Age Group Male Female uMkhanyakude % of UDM 

0 - 4 37 194 36 617 73 811 12% 

5 - 09 45 381 42 365 87 746 14% 

10 - 14 44 346 43 073 87 419 14% 

15 - 19 39 311 40 580 79 891 13% 

20 - 24 29 135 32 323 61 458 10% 

25 - 29 18 432 21 966 40 398 7% 

30 - 34 14 479 19 278 33 757 5% 

35 - 39 13 017 20 313 33 330 5% 

40 - 44 8 924 15 800 24 724 4% 

45 - 49 6 920 14 666 21 586 4% 

50 - 54 6 721 8 622 15 343 2% 

55 - 59 5 294 7 863 13 157 2% 

60 - 64 4 247 6 234 10 481 2% 

65 - 69 3 616 6 882 10 498 2% 

70 - 74 1 857 4 645 6 502 1% 

75 - 79 1 664 4 581 6 245 1% 

80 - 84 1 312 2 428 3 740 1% 

85 + 1 094 2 881 3 975 1% 

Total 282 944 331 117 614 061 - 

Percentage 46 % 54% 100% 100% 

41 percent of the population are of working age defines as 20 – 64 years old as 

shown in the table above. Of this population 42 percent are male and 58 percent are 

female. Compared the youth statistics where 51 percent of the population are male, 

there is a strong decline of males in the area. 

Thus there is an imbalance of male-female ratio. While this imbalance follows that of 

national and provincial trends, but the cause of this trend is due to migration of job 

seeking males to urban areas (uMkhanyakhude District Municipality, 2010). 

According to the UDM SDF, migration in UDM can be explained by both economic 

and non economic factors. Economic factors are based on the search for 

employment or improved employment and income opportunities. Non economic 

factors include household and demographic characteristics including unexpected 



constraints such as death or divorce; societal and cultural norms; personal traits 

such as risk taking; information on opportunities; and residential satisfaction. 

Due to the higher number of females in the area, focus in female education and 

participation in the work force is encouraged, thus raising the status of women in 

society. Programmes should also be directed to towards youth development. There 

are a large number of youth, and job creation targeted at youth employment is 

critical. 

VULNERABILITY 

The Department of Co-operative Governance has developed a Municipal Spatial 

Classification System for local municipalities based on the indicators of functionality, 

socio-economic profile and backlog status. Its purpose is to inform a differentiated 

approach to municipalities. The four municipal classifications are (Business Trust, 

2007): 

Class 1: Most vulnerable 

Class 2: Second most vulnerable 

Class 3: Second highest performing 

Class 4: Highest performing 

The five local municipalities in the uMkhanyakude District can be classified as 

follows in Table 6: 

Table 6: Municipal Spatial Classification System (Business Trust, 2007) 

Local Municipality 

uMhlabuyalingana 

Jozini 

Big 5 False Bay 

Hlabisa 

Mtubatuba 

Classification 

Most vulnerable 




Second highest performing 

From this table it is evident that four of the five local municipalities in the 

uMkhanyakude District fall into the “most vulnerable” category. The “most 

vulnerable” local municipalities are thus characterised by a weak economy, with high 

unemployment rates, a vast backlog in the provision of basic services, high poverty 

rates and high grant dependency rates all of which will be explained below. 

Thus the standard of living of people in the area is extremely poor and there is much 

need for development and economic stimulation in the area. 



INFRASTRUCTURE, UTILTIIES AND SERVICES 

There are three dimensions to infrastructure all of which affect the social and 

economic conditionals of the district. These are 

1. Physical Infrastructure – this refers to transport, water, sanitation and 

electricity 

2. Soft Infrastructure – this refers to services such as education and health care 

3. Institutional Infrastructure – soft infrastructure refers to legal systems and and 

governance 

The map below indicates a number of the physical and soft infrastructure aspects 

which will be discussed and analysed. The infrastructure has been overlaid with 

settlement density to indicate the level of accessibility to such infrastructure. 

Figure 5: Access to social infrastructure. 

The map includes information on the following: 

Health Facilities 

Police and correctional facilities 

Rail 

Airports 

Roads 

Post offices 



The map indicates uneven population density with the main economic nodes having 

the highest population density. These areas of higher population density include, 

Mtubatuba, St Lucia, Hlabisa, Hluhluwe, Mkuze, Ubombo, Jozini and Ingwavuma 

and Manguzi. 

Mtubatuba as the largest urban area in the District is also characterised by having 

the largest number of post offices, a concentration of health facilities and two policing 

stations. Thus infrastructure development is greatest in the largest urbanised area 

and main town of UDM. 

HEALTH 

Assessing the health standards of the municipality and the clinics is important to 

understanding the social and living standards of the community. The number of 

hospitals is an indicator of health as well as accessibility and level of municipal 

service. 

ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE 

There are five public hospitals in uMkhanyakude DM. These are supported fifty two 

provincial clinics in UDM and are mostly visited on a two week basis by medical and 

paramedical staff. There are no specialists in the UDM hospitals (KwaZulu-Natal 

Department of Health, 2001). 

MANGUZI HOSPITAL 

The Manguzi Hospital is made up of ten residential clinics and three mobile teams 

visiting 35 points. This clinic forms part of Umhlabuyalingana Municipality. 

The ten residential clinics are: 

Bhekabantu Clinic Mahlungulu Clinic Mvelakabusha Clinic Thengani Clinic 

Kwa- Zibi Clinic Mboza Clinic Phelandaba Clinic Zamazama Clinic 

KwaNdaba Clinic 

Mshudu Clinic 

Listed in order of importance, the main causes of mortality found in the clinic among 

adults are HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Gastroenteritis, Pneumonia, Meningitis, Renal 

failure, Cancer and Cardiac related deaths (CVA and CCF) (KwaZulu-Natal 

Department of Health, 2001). 

Disease amongst children include, HIV related deaths, Pneumonia, Stillbirths, TB, 

Gastroenteritis, Neonatal deaths, Trauma, Meningitis, Malnutrition and Malaria 

(KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, 2001). 

HLABISA HOSPITAL 



Hlabisa hospital, made up of several hospitals, serves Hlabisa, Matubatuba and 

sections of The Big Five Local Municipalities. 

It is made up of sixteen clinics namely; 

Esiyembeni Clinic Khula Village clinic Madwaleni Clinic Mtubatuba Clinic 

Ezwenelisha Clinic KwaMsane Clinic Makhowe Clinic Nkundusini Clinic 

Gunjaneni Clinic Macabuzela Clinic Mpembeni Clinic Ntondweni Clinic 

Inhlwathi Clinic Machibini Clinic Mpukunyoni Clinic Somkhele Clinic 

While it is reported that HIV/AIDS is rife in the area. No other information of the 

disease burden in Hlabisa Hospital was found. 

MOSVOLD HOSPITAL 

Located in Jozini, this hospital has ten serving clinics, namely; 

Ekuhlehleni Clinic Manyiseni Clinic Nkungwini Clinic Ophondweni Clinic 

Gwaliweni Clinic Mbadleni Clinic Nondabuya Clinic Shemula Clinic 

Kwa Mbusi Clinic 

Ndumo Clinic 

HIV/AIDs and TB are severely affecting this population. 

MSELENI HOSPITALS 

Mseleni Hospital serves both Umhlabuyalingana and Big Five Local Municipalities 

with a population of approximately 90 000. The hospital is made up of nine clinics, 

namely; 

Ezimpondweni clinic Manaba clinic Mduku clinic oQondweni clinic 

Gateway clinic Mbazwana clinic Mnqobokazi clinic Tshongwe clinic 

Mabibi clinic 

36 mobile clinics 

There are a number of diseases associated with living in this area, such as Mseleni 

Joint Disease (MJD), Malaria and Bilharzia. Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS are the most 

dominant and common (KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, 2001). 

BETHESDA HOSPITAL 

Made up of seven Residential clinics and 2 mobile clinics, this hospital serves Jozini 

Local Municipality. Infectious diseases such as TB are prolific, as are malnutrition, 

HIV related disease and malaria (KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, 2001). 

The residential clinics in the area are; 



Gedleza Clinic Madonela Cinic Mhlekazi Clinic Ophansi Clinic. 

Jozini Clinic Makhathini Clinic Mkuze Clinic Bethesda Gateway Clinic 

HEALTH STATUS 

The UDM SDF mentions that minimal/lack of water and electricity limits the level and 

quality of health care in the area. Additional constraints affecting quality healthcare is 

the shortage of doctors in the region (Isikhungusethu Environmental Services (Pty) 

Ltd, 2008). 

HIV/AIDS is estimated to be the highest in uMkhanyakude from all KwaZulu-Natal 

districts. No exact figures could be provided on a local or district level, which is 

already a cause of concern. Associated with HIV/AIDs is the high number of 

tuberculosis patients. The high prevalence rate not only decreases life expectancy, it 

has significant impacts on the productivity of the population. The impact of HIV/AIDS 

in UDM is aggravated by the high level of poverty in the area, making it difficult for 

people to escape the poverty trap (Isikhungusethu Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd, 

2008). 

According to Quantec Research Data for 2007, there are 93 968 persons living with 

HIV. Also, the number of AIDs deaths in uMkhanyakude were 7 244 persons and all 

other deaths amounted to 5 124 (Quantec Research (Pty) Ltd, 2012). This reflects 

the importance of addressing the HIV/AIDS problem. 

Malnutrition, especially among children is reported to be high in uMkhanyakude DM. 

Malnourished children are more susceptible to infectious disease and low education 

leading to reduce life expectancy and low levels of productivity. Where malnutrition 

exist on such a scale, it is clear that there is a need for intervention, either public or 

private, to stimulate sustainable economic growth that will allow the community to 

uplift itself to a high standard of living, where basic needs are met. 

A report on uMkhanyakude DM by the Business Trust and Department of Provincial 

and Local Government (2007) mention the presence of environment health issues in 

the district. The lack of waste management and cemetery /crematorium facilities 

contribute to the existence of water-borne diseases (e.g. cholera) in the area 

(Business Trust, 2007). 

The figure below is a map taken from the Provincial Economic Development Strategy 

for KwaZulu-Natal Province. The left map shows the incidence of children under five 

years not gaining weight and on the right is a map of malnutrition incidence. 



Figure 6: Maps showing children under 5 years not gaining weight (left) and malnutrition cases (right) 

EDUCATION 

Education level in the uMkhanyakude region is provided for persons over the age of 

20 using Community Survey 2007 data. 

31 percent of the population over 20 years received primary education and 28 

percent secondary education while 20 percent of the population have received no 

schooling. Less than 5 percent of the population received any tertiary or higher 

education. 

Table 7 Education levels for persons over the age of 20 (Statistics South Africa, 2007) 

Institution Male Female uMkhanyakude % of UDM 

Pre-school 3 897 4 354 8 251 2.10% 

Primary school 64 021 58 397 122 418 31.15% 

Secondary school 55 092 54 660 109 752 27.93% 

College 251 374 625 0.16% 

University/ Technikon 324 422 746 0.19% 

No schooling 25 702 50 740 76 442 19.45% 

Other 1 602 1 378 2 980 0.76% 

Not applicable 29 856 35 072 64 928 16.52% 

Unspecified 2 159 2 659 4 818 1.23% 

Institutions 971 1 022 1 993 0.51% 

Total 158 173 158 338 316 511 100% 



Of the 76 442 persons who received no schools two thirds were female. While 25 

702 males ages 20 or above received no schooling, there were 50 740 females in 

the same age group who received no schooling. These figures indicate a clear bias 

towards male education. 

However there were 4 354females who received pre-school education and 3 897 

males. 5 624 more males receives primary school. From secondary school, the 

number of educated females was larger than the number of educated males. 

Education levels are low in the study area, reflecting a high level of illiteracy among 

the population and high levels of functional illiteracy. Functional illiteracy is defined 

as a person who has received education on how to read and write but they are not 

fully capable of doing so. Thus they are able to read but have difficulty 

comprehending the material. 

Low education in the area will affect the level of income received in the community 

and is a reflection of the standard of living. Low education also affects the ability of 

local residents to actively participate in development programmes (Business Trust, 

2007). 

The Figure 7 below shows a map of schools in the district municipality. 

Figure 7 Number of schools in UDM 



According to the uMkhanyakude Departments of Education, there are 544 schools in 

the district. Below is an uncompleted list of number of schools per area that was 

provided by the uMkhanyakude education department. 

Table 8: Schools per Demarcation 

Demarcation Area Number of Schools Demarcation Area Number of Schools 

Kwasane 32 Tshongwe 25 

Hluhluwe 33 Sambeni 30 

Ezibayeni 33 Mkwasana 24 

Empambeni 33 Mkuze 29 

Mbazwana 28 Mbanana 29 

Umseleni 26 Manguze 29 

Mtubatuba 33 Libombo 24 

Shigishela 32 Jozini 29 

Big Five 26 

Despite the number of schools in the area, the uMkhanyakude Spatial Development 

Framework indicates that 25 percent of UDM households do not have easy access 

to educational facilities, particularly in the remote rural areas. 

Research indicates that the economic benefits of educating girls are similar in size to 

the economic benefits of educating boys, but the social benefits favour female 

education over male education (Bagheri, 2009). 

Female education is found to have powerful effects on the total fertility rate, the 

infant mortality rate. Research shows that education of females increases the level of 

health, nutrition and sanitation in the household, thus increasing overall health and 

productivity (Bagheri, 2009). 

Income earned by females increase their bargaining power in households and is 

good for children as research suggests that a greater proportion of women's income 

than men's is spent on child goods. 

Economic theory suggests that education improves the level and quality of human 

capital, in turn increasing the productivity of individuals, but increasing the output 

generated per worker. Education facilitates long term growth and is often described 

as a tool to escape the poverty trap. Female education also raises the labour force 

participation; this significantly raises the productivity and output of the economy 

(Bagheri, 2009). 

TYPE OF DWELLING 

The type of households in the area can be classified into formal or informal housing 

from Census 2001 data. 

Formal housing is classified as (Statistics South Africa, 2001): 



House or brick structure on a separate stand or yard 

Flat in block of flats 

Town/cluster/semi-detached house (simplex; duplex; triplex) 

House/flat/room in back yard 

Traditional dwelling/hut/structure made of traditional materials 

Room/flatlet not in back yard but on shared property 

Caravan or tent 

Private ship/boat 

Informal Housing is classified as (Statistics South Africa, 2001): 

Informal dwelling/shack in back yard 

Informal dwelling/shack not in back yard 

Table 9: Percentage distribution of households by type of main dwelling (Statistics South Africa, 2007) 

Type of dwelling Census 2001 

Community 

Survey 2007 

House on separate stand 27.3 49.4 

Traditional dwelling 50.6 41 

Flat in block of flats 13.1 2.4 

Townhouse/cluster 0.7 0.7 

Room in back yard 3.2 1.3 

Informal dwelling 

in back yard 1.4 1 

not in back yard 2.4 1.7 

Room on shared property 0.7 0.9 

Caravan / tent 0.5 0.1 

Private ship/boat - 0.1 

Worker's hostel - 1.1 

Other - 0.2 

Total 100 100 

There have been changes in formal and traditional dwelling types in UDM between 

2001 and 2007. There has been an 81 percent rise in the number of houses on a 

separate stand. Half of this change comes from an 80 percent decline in persons 

living in flats. The other part of this change comes from a decline in traditional 

dwelling by almost 10 percent. Half the UDM population live in some form of informal 

dwelling. 

WATER SUPPLY 

Access to water is not only an indicator into the standard of living but also the level of 

health. Inadequate access to water contributes to disease and sickness thus 

increasing the populations vulnerability to disease and reducing productivity. 



The un-shaded columns in Table 10 below indicate the percentage distribution of 

household water supply per local municipality as well as the DMA, using Community 

Survey 2007 data. The last two shaded columns show the percentage distribution of 

household water supply in the uMkhanyakude District for 2007 and 2001. 

Table 10: Percentage distribution of households by water source (Statistics South Africa, 2007) 

Access to water 

Piped water 

DMA 

27 

KZN 

271 

Community Survey 2007 

KZN 

272 

KZN 

273 

KZN 

274 

KZN 

275 

UDM 

Census 

2001 

inside dwelling 5 10 16 21 8 35 14.4 4.3 

inside yard 8 19 15 9 14 37 17.1 11.4 

From access point 

outside the yard 

UDM 

22 19 29 8 37 21 26.5 26.8 

Borehole 33 25 11 10 4 3 12.2 13.5 

Spring 4 7 5 2 2 0 4.1 6.2 

Dam/pool 3 4 5 19 6 0 5.3 6.5 

River/stream 20 11 16 13 27 1 16.2 24.9 

Water vendor 4 2 0 2 2 1 1.4 1.2 

Rain water tank 1 2 1 15 1 0 2.1 1.6 

Other 0 1 1 0 1 0 0.7 3.6 

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 

The data shows 65 percent of the DMA 27 households do not access piped water, 

thus making use of borehole water or accessing water from a river or stream. In the 

Big Five False Bay KZ273 a low 38 percent of households have access to piped 

water is compared to 93 percent of the Mtubatuba KZ275 (population accessing 

piped water. 

Overall around 60 percent of the households receive water through a formal water 

supply. This is line with the Free Basic Water Policy. The remaining 40 percent of 

households access water through a river/stream, or from a borehole which is below 

the Free Basic Water level. 

There has been a noticeable increase in inside dwelling access to piped water from 

4.3 percent in 2001 to 14.4 percent in 2007. This is reflected in the decline of 

river/stream access to water from 24.9 percent to 16.2 percent, though it is the still 

the third highest source of water. 

SANITATION 

Sanitation is a measure of municipal service provision as well as an indication of the 

health status of the area. 



Table 11 below shows the percentage distribution of household sanitation per local 

municipality in the un-shaded columns as well as the district musicality in the two 

shaded columns. For the district, the data is given for 2007 and 2001. 

Mtubatuba KZ275 has the best toilet facilities where 55 percent of household’s 

accessing flush toilets. This is followed by Big Five False Bay KZ273 with 28 percent 

of households accessing flush toilets. 

Sanitation in the UDM area is poor with 32 percent of households having no access 

to a toilet facility. About 15 percent of households access a flush toilet and 28 

percent of households access the basic VIP toilets. 

Most households for remaining municipalities make use of a pit toilet with ventilation, 

followed by a pit toilet without ventilation. Combines this accounts for almost 50 

percent of UDMs toilet facilities. 

Table 11 Percentage distribution of households by type of toilet facilities (Statistics South Africa, 2007) 

Toilet facilities 

Flush toilet (connected to 

sewerage system) 

Flush toilet (with septic 

tank) 

DMA 

27 

KZN 

271 

Community Survey 2007 

KZN 

272 

KZN 

273 

KZN 

274 

KZN 

275 

UDM 

Census 

2001 

UDM 

2 2 14 24 1 47 10.1 9.2 

10 2 6 4 3 8 4.03 1.8 

Dry toilet facility 2 6 4 3 10 0 4.7 - 

Pit toilet with ventilation 

(VIP) 

Pit toilet without 

ventilation 

6 43 28 52 31 17 28.1 10.8 

18 10 0 3 55 27 20.28 13.3 

Chemical toilet 0 2 0 0 0 0 0.74 6.7 

Bucket toilet system 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.08 1.4 

None 61 35 47 1% 0 0 31.9 56.8 

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 

Over the period 2001 to 2007 there has been a significant increase in the number of 

households with a pit toilet. This is coupled with a decrease in household with no 

sanitation facility from 56.8 percent to 31.9, as well decrease in the number of 

household using the bucket toilet and chemical toilet. 

The improvement in sanitation facilities of households is a positive indication that 

there is current development in infrastructure as well as an improvement in municipal 

services in the UDM area. 



REFUSE COLLECTION 

Improper waste management is a major environmental health hazard. Waste that is 

left unprocessed attracts insects and rodents, creating the risk of diseases such as 

intestinal disease and yellow fever. 

The waste management in the area is noticeably poor as 70 percent of households 

make use of their own refuse dump. Only 10 percent of households have a local 

authority remove waste. This is a small increase of around 54 percent between 2001 

and 2007. 

Table 12 Percentage distribution of households by type of refuse disposal (Statistics South Africa, 2007) 

Type of refuse removal Census 2001 

Removal by local authority/private company 

Community 

Survey 2007 

At least once a week 6.1 9.4 

Less often 1.2 1.7 

Communal refuse dump 0.8 1.4 

Own refuse dump 63.7 70.2 

No rubbish disposal 28.1 17.1 

Other - 0.3 

Total 99.9 100.1 

Proper waste management is important for environmental sanitation and 

sustainability. In South Africa, municipalities are primarily responsible for waste 

management. Moreover, efficient waste management can also offer opportunities for 

income generation, health improvements and reduced vulnerability. 

ENERGY 

Energy usage in uMkhanyakude DM is mainly access through off-grid solutions such 

as wood. Table 13 highlights the energy usage for cooking, heating and lighting. 

There is a very close link between energy used for cooking and heating in the area. 

For cooking and heating, most households use wood at 59.9 percent and 61.5 

percent respectively, followed by electricity usage at around 26 percent for both 

functions. 

The table shows an increase in the number of households have electricity for 

cooking and heating, a substitution away from wood between 2001 and 2007. 

An increase in household electricity for lighting was also evident from 2001 to 2007. 

This is reflected in the decrease of candle usage from 77.1 percent of households to 

59 percent of households using candles. There had also been an increase in solar 

energy used for lighting. 



Table 13: Energy usage (Statistics South Africa, 2007) 

Energy 

Cooking Heating Lighting 

Census 2001 CS 2007 Census 2001 CS 2007 Census 2001 CS 2007 

Electricity 13 26.6 12.9 26.2 20.1 33.6 

Gas 8.2 7.7 2.5 4.4 0.5 0.2 

Paraffin 6.6 3.8 4.7 2.9 0.9 0.5 

Wood 70.6 59.9 72.1 61.5 - - 

Coal 0.5 1.6 3.5 2.7 - - 

Animal dung 0.6 0.1 0.4 0.1 - - 

Solar 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.6 4.8 

Candles - - - 77.1 59 

Other 0.4 0.1 3.6 1.7 0.9 1.9 

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 

The use of reliable electricity is important for economic growth. Low electricity supply 

is bound to deter big business from entering the area. Thus the municipality should 

aim to provide electricity for development. Also, the provision of electricity increases 

the standard of living for households and communities and also reduces 

vulnerability. 

TRANSPORT 

Transport networks play a crucial role in our local, regional and national economies. 

The pace of development of a country in part relies on the development of its 

transport network. 

An efficient transport system reduces transport costs, allows poorer communities 

such as those in uMkhanyakude DM to increase its market size and also improves 

access to services. 

The figure below is a map of the main existing transport networks in UDM. These 

include road networks, rail and air. 



Figure 8: Main transportion corridors in UDM 

ROAD NETWORK 

The existence of roads and adequate transport systems (public and private) provide 

a wealth of other socio-economic benefits. Public and private use of it underpins our 

ability to participate in employment, shopping, recreation and social activities, 

making access to it not just of economic importance, but an important equity issue 

(International Road Federation Research Council, 2007). 

Of particular importance to uMkhanyakude DM is that people are able to access 

services easier, cheaper and efficiently. Road networks provide access to health 

care, education facilities and access to work and can help prevent social exclusion of 

rural communities which is of particular importance to uMkhanyakude DM 

(International Road Federation Research Council, 2007). 

An efficient transport system can significantly increase the economic conditions of an 

area. This is due to the reduced cost in the time spent travelling raising productivity, 

the actual cost of travelling reduces as more efficient means of travel be used and it 

allows for faster delivery of goods and services. Road access allows more people 

the opportunity to access markets for both supply and consumption thus stimulating 

the local economy (International Road Federation Research Council, 2007). 



The N2 can be a catalyst for such economic activity in the area. Not only does is it 

vital for the agricultural sector, it is also critical for the tourism aspirations in the 

district. In uMkanyakude the main nodes in terms of commercial activities in the 

UDM area are mainly related to the central business districts (CBDs) of the 

respective local municipalities (Isikhungusethu Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd, 

2008). 

Majority of the local and municipal documents speak of an underutilised road 

network in uMkhanyakude, which needs to be exploited for the economic 

opportunities are presents. This is specifically related to the N2 route which runs 

through the south of the district (uMkhanyakhude District Municipality, 2010). 

According to the Integrated Development Plan, the road networks in uMkhanyakude 

are as follows: 

There is one national road (N2) that is spread over four local municipalities 

namely; Jozini, The Big Five False Bay, Hlabisa and Mtubatuba 

(uMkhanyakhude District Municipality, 2010). While the N2 is the main road in 

UDM, it is a single lane and in some areas are in a poor condition. 

There are 37 Provincial Roads that serve as the main connectors of the five 

local municipalities. These roads are characterized by potholes and livestock 

roaming the roads (uMkhanyakhude District Municipality, 2010). 

uMkhanyakude has 63 District roads that serve to connect major centres, 

towns and there their respective rural settlement areas, and among the 

settlement areas. These roads are characterized by poor maintenance and 

most of them are gravel roads; making it difficult to use during rainy seasons 

(uMkhanyakhude District Municipality, 2010). 

• There are about 103 Artery Roads which despite being gravelled are in an 

appalling state (uMkhanyakhude District Municipality, 2010). 

PUBLIC TRANSPORT 

It is extremely important for a viable public transport system that integrated 

multimodal facilities should be provided. This multimodal facility should make 

provision for the following (Isikhungusethu Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd, 2008): 

• Local taxis; 

• Long-distance taxis; 

• Local buses; 

• Long-distance buses; 

• Metered taxis (if applicable); and 

• Hawkers. 

The nature of public transport in uMkhanyakude is underdeveloped partly due to the 

low number of commuters from the outside the Municipality. As many of the roads 



are inaccessible for buses and taxis, “bakkies” are illegally used for public transport 

and risking commuter’s lives (uMkhanyakhude District Municipality, 2010). 

“The poor conditions of the road network in the District determine the access to 

transportation by the communities. Due to the conditions, taxi and bus transportation 

is not accessible to the neediest of the communities. Such communities are spatially 

placed in the outskirts of the major centres or towns and are connected to these 

centres/towns by either District or artery roads whose conditions are not conducive 

for taxis and buses to drive through.” (uMkhanyakhude District Municipality, 2010) 

Public transport within the district municipality is as follows: 

Public transportation within the Big 5 False Bay Municipality consists of taxis 

and buses. Due to poor conditions of roads in rural areas and inaccessibility, 

informal transportation such as bakkies are used. 

Three taxi ranks are located within Hlabisa Local Municipality, namely 

Mganwini, Nhlwathi and Mpembeni. There are approximately 90 taxis and a 

number of bakkies servicing approximately 11 taxi routes. 

In Mtubatuba, the taxis are controlled by four taxi associations. There are 

seven buses which provide transport in the area. The routes serviced by the 

buses are Hlabisa to Mtubatuba and Mtubatuba to Durban. There are also five 

AMC 32-seater and one 18-seater buses for daily transportation between 

Mtubatuba and St Lucia. 

RAIL 

Mtubatuba also features a railway line which passes through Mtubatuba where there 

is a station. Sidings occur at Dukuduku, Fernwood and Nyalazi River, thus providing 

transportation of goods. According to the Mtubatuba LM there rail network if not for 

people but rather used to transport goods. 

AIR 

Mkuze houses the Mkuze air strip. Currently there are plans to upgrade the runway 

and facilities to regional airport status with adequate facilities to handle commercial 

flights on Boeing 737s (Isikhungusethu Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd, 2008). 

The upgrade would boost the activity in the area by providing more direct, quicker 

access to tourism areas. The airport would create a limited number of direct jobs but 

provide a significant boost to the UDM economy. 

There is also a small grass strip at Mbazwana that accommodates up to 12 seater 

planes. These two strips along with other transport mediums can be seen in the 

Figure 8 at the introduction to the transport section 

. 



SAFTEY AND SECURITY 

According to the Crime and Research Statistics by the South African Police 

Services, the highest number of crimes committed in KwaZulu-Natal for 2011 were 

contact crimes. This is followed by incidence of property related crimes. 

Table 10 shows the 2011 crime statistics per policing precinct in UDM. The selected 

crimes are mostly contact crimes. The last row shows the 2010 crime statistics per 

10000 persons. 

The data was taken from the Institute of Security Studies website which has data for 

each police precinct as recorded by the South African Police Services. The data is 

converted into the number of crimes committed per 10 000 persons for analysis and 

understanding. 

Table 14: uMkhanyakude DM Crime Statistics per population (1:10000) (Institute for Security Studies , 2011) 

Precinct Population Murder 

Sexual 

Offences 

Common 

Assault 

Aggravated 

Robbery 

Business 

Burglary 

Emanguzi 91 281 2 5.8 5.8 5 7 

Ndumo 44 372 0.9 3.4 3.6 2 3.6 

Ingwavuma 84 889 1.8 4.6 8.1 3.4 5.4 

Jozini 88 391 1.9 10.2 10.9 8.3 6.7 

Mbazwana 75 115 0.3 5.9 9.3 7.6 7.2 

Mkuze 17 453 2.3 9.2 18.3 4.6 10.3 

Ezibayeni 25 002 1.6 4.4 2.8 0.8 2.8 

Hluhluwe 40 140 2.5 7.5 19.4 11.2 9.5 

Mtubatuba 23 039 5.2 28.6 105 45.6 25.2 

Kwamsane 125 518 4.9 11.5 13.4 15.8 5 

Hlabisa 34 186 3.8 9.1 12.3 9.9 5.6 

Total 649 386 27.2 100.2 208.9 114.2 88.3 

2010 Total - 25.2 96.4 205.2 119.7 124.2 

The most common crime committed in the district per 10 000 persons is common 

assault at 208.9 incidence compared to 371.8 nationally. This is followed by 

aggravated robbery at 119.7 crimes compared to 203 crimes nationally. Sexual 

offences are committed100.2 times per annum compared to 132.4 times nationally. 

The Mtubatuba precinct experiences the highest number of crimes committed, due to 

a significantly high number of common assault incidences of 105. For the rest of the 

police precincts, common assault crimes occurred 3.6 - 19.4 times. 

Aggravated robbery is the second highest crime committed, again Mtubatuba 

precinct experience the highest crime incidence of 45.6, while in other precincts, 

aggravated robbery occurred between 0.8 and 15.8 times. 



Sexual offences increased in uMkhanyakude from 96.4 to 100.2 crimes committed, 

common assault also increased from 205.2 to 208.9. 

GOVERNANCE 

uMkhanyakude District Municipality faces serious governance challenges that are 

partly acknowledges in the municipal IDP. 

Some of the challenges include: 

Political instability in the uMkhanyakude DM’s council due to the following 

(Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, 2011): 

o Lack of understanding and adherence to the roles and responsibilities 

of politically appointed staff; 

o Interference in council matters from the regional and provincial political 

structures; 

o Not allowing individual councillor input on service delivery issues; 

o Council dominated by a more politically powerful administration; 

o Lack of communication and public participation frameworks creates 

environment for uncoordinated interaction with community by provincial 

politicians, municipal political office bearers, ward councillors and PR 

councillors. 

Lack of financial management (Department of Co-operative Governance and 

Traditional Affairs, 2011) 

o Unqualified audit report of FY2009/2010 

o Vacant positions in the Finance department (Executive Director. 

o Lack of accountability for management of funds 

o Recent suspension of Municipal staff for mismanagement of funds. 

Inadequate infrastructure (Department of Co-operative Governance and 

Traditional Affairs, 2011) 

o Lack of leadership and capacity to implement projects 

o Lack of finance 

o There is poor communication and coordination among internal 

departments, due to lack of unity in the management; 

ECONOMY AND LIVELIHOODS 

This section aims to highlight the economic conditions of the uMkhanyakude 

population, the economic drivers of the area, what the top sectors are and the 

challenges faced by the district. 

It is widely recognised across all municipalities that the upgrading of the transport 

network, particularly roads in the case of uMkhanyakude, is crucial for growth in the 

region to take place. Further discussion on both social and economic impacts of the 

road network will take place as part of the discussion. 



Another area of commonality is the importance of agriculture and tourism in the area. 

Agriculture serves not only a commercial activity but is crucial to the district at a 

subsistence level. Tourism is seen as a boost to the economy that will facilitate 

infrastructure development, jobs and skills development. However both industries 

are constraint by several factors and it is important for uMkhanyakude as provide 

leadership to the local municipalities to overcome the challenges as rapidly as 

possible. 

The figure 9 below indicates the main developmental areas spatially. These include 

the primary, secondary and tertiary development nodes as well as the investment 

corridors. 

Figure 9: Main development lines in UDM 

Figure 5 above shows the primary investment point’s primary nodes in the district 

that will be explained below. The primary investment line is the road network Route 

22 as described by the Lubombo SDI. The secondary Investment lines are the 

transport lines linking the primary investment lines. The National link is the N2 road 

while the district investment line is the district road that runs adjacent to the N2. 

ECONOMIC SECTORS AND THEIR SIZE 

The gross geographic product (GGP) of a particular area amounts to the total 

income or payment received by the production factors – (land, labour, capital, and 

entrepreneurship) – for their participation in the production within that area. 



According to the SDF, the percentage contribution of uMkhanyakude to National 

Gross Domestic Product has declined over the period 1996 - 2005 from close to 0.2 

percent from 0.21 percent. 

Gross Value Added (GVA) is defined as the value of goods and services produced in 

a geographic area. The relationship between GVA and Gross Domestic Product 

(GDP) is GVA plus taxes on products minus subsidies on products. 

The Figure below taken from Quantec Research shows the Gross Value Added of 

uMkhanyakude for 2011 per industry at current prices. 

The total GVA for uMkhanyakude District Municipality for 2010 was R 7 162 million 

while the GVA for KwaZulu-Natal was R 277 529 million. South Africa’s 2010 GVA 

was R 1 692 724 million (Quantec Research (Pty) Ltd, 2012). 

25% Percentage Contribution to GVA for 2011 

20% 

20% 

19% 

19% 

15% 

10% 

9% 

8% 

10% 

8% 

5% 

2% 

1% 

2% 

0% 

Yr 2011 

Figure 10: Gross Value Added per industry to uMkhanyakude (Quantec Research (Pty) Ltd, 2012) 

General government contributes 19 percent to UDM GVA while community, 

personal and social services account for 8 percent of GVA. Community, social 

and personal services can be described as services such as nursing, defence 

and teaching. The fact that 27 percent of GVA is Government and Community 

Services indicates that the District is heavily reliant on the state for income 

and economic activity. 

Trade and hospitality (Wholesale and retail trade, catering and 

accommodation) accounts for 20 percent of GVA. 87 percent of this industry 



comes from wholesale and retail trade, thus catering and accommodation 

sector contributes 13 percent to this sector for uMkhanyakude DM. Catering 

and accommodation is an indicator on tourism in the region (Quantec 

Research (Pty) Ltd, 2012). 

Manufacturing follows at 19 percent of GVA, which is mostly made of 

furniture; wood, paper publishing and printing; and non-metal mineral 

products (Quantec Research (Pty) Ltd, 2012). 

Business Services make up 10 percent of GVA, followed by agriculture at 9 

percent of GVA. 

In the local municipality IDP’s and the district IDP, it is noted that agriculture and 

tourism are the two sectors with the most potential for growth. This is noted despite 

the fact that neither tourism nor agriculture contributes significantly to the local GVA. 

When looking at the key sectors in the economy, an important consideration is the 

employment level of each sector. The data helps gain an insights into which sectors 

are labour absorptive and which are not. 

The data from Figure 11 shows the labour absorption, or employment, in 2010 taken 

from Quantec Research data. 

Number of Persons 

20000 

18000 

16000 

14000 

12000 

10000 

8000 

6000 

4000 

2000 

0 

Employment per Industry 

General government 

KZ 271 KZ 272 KZ 273 KZ 274 KZ 275 KZDMA 

Municipality 

Community, social and personal 

services 

Finance, insurance, real estate 

and business services 

Transport, storage and 

communication 

Wholesale and retail trade, 

catering and accommodation 

Construction 

Electricity, gas and water 

Manufacturing 

Mining and quarrying 

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 

Figure 11: Employment per Industry (Quantec Research (Pty) Ltd, 2012) 

In uMkhanyakude DM General Government and Community, Social, and Personal 

Services are the two highest contributing sectors to labour absorption. Combined, 

these two sectors contribute 39 percent of the total labour employed in the area. This 

is followed by 25 percent of labour is from Wholesale and Retail Trade, Catering and 



Accommodation, an indication that both trade and tourism are labour absorptive 

industries (Quantec Research (Pty) Ltd, 2012). 

Manufacturing accounts for 9 percent of labour and Agriculture for 8 percent of total 

labour. 

The employment figures are aligned to the top contributing industries to GVA. The 

size of Government and Community, Personal and Social Services industries 

warrants attention as it highlights, again, a significant and unsustainable dependence 

on government for income in the area. 

Table 15 is a direct excerpt of a qualitative prioritisation of the top five sectors, taken 

from the Business Trust Report on uMkhanyakude: 

Table 15: Excerpt from qualitative prioritisation of the top five sectors (Business Trust, 2007) 

Sectors 

General 

Government 

Services 

Wholesale & 

Retail Trade; 

Catering and 

Accommodat 

ion 

Community, 

Social & 

Other 

Personal 

Services 

Agriculture, 

Forestry & 

Fishing 

Finance & 

Business 

Services 

Potential for growth Assessment 

Most local government staff lives outside the node; hence they spend their income 

largely outside the node. There are no monopoly endowments in this sector in the 

node, as far as governance skills and capabilities are concerned. Most of the local 

people don’t have the skills for the kinds of jobs in this sector. 

The node has great tourism resources which are only partly exploited, including 

many game parks, the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, the coastline, etc. This Sector 

has huge potential to attract an inflow of money, because the resources it has are in 

high demand outside the node but not readily available elsewhere. There are many 

employment opportunities in tourism establishments for the local people, which 

require minimal skills / training 

Most of the staff live in the node but a large portion of their incomes is remitted to 

relatives outside the node. There are no monopoly endowments in this sector in the 

node, as far as skills and capabilities are concerned. Most of the local people don’t 

have the skills to do the kinds of jobs in this sector 

The published GDP for agriculture in this node excludes all non-commercial farming. 

The node has rich, vast agricultural resources which are utilised to a very low extent 

– The Makhathini Flats area is very fertile with good access to water (i.e. Jozini 

Dam). The demand for the types of agricultural products produced in the node 

(especially fruit and vegetables) is high outside the node, hence there is huge 

potential to stimulate an inflow of money to the node. Most local people have the 

skills to work in this sector 

There are no monopoly endowments in this sector in the node, as far as skills and 

capabilities are concerned. Most of the local people don’t have the skills to be hired 

for the kinds of jobs in this sector 

EMPLOYMENT 

The unemployment rate for 2009 in the district is 26.62 percent with a low labour 

force participation rate at 28.24 percent, according to Quantec Research. The labour 



force participation rate is a measure the percentage of the working age population 

that are active participants – either seeking work or employed. 

Hlabisa LM KZ274 has the highest unemployment rate in the area of 35.3 percent 

followed by Jozini KZ 272 at 30.2 percent. The lowest unemployment rate is in 

Mtubatuba KZ 275at 10.44 percent. 

Umhlabuyalingana KZ271 has the lowest labour force participation rate as only 

21.72 percent of the total labour force is active. Mtubatuba KZ275 has a 64.85 labour 

force participation rate. 

In comparison to the rest of the local municipalities, Mtubatuba is 

Table 16: Unemployment Rate and Labour Participation Rate 2010 (Quantec Research (Pty) Ltd, 2012) 

Rate UDM KZ 271 KZ 272 KZ 273 KZ 274 KZ 275 KZDMA 

Unemployment rate 26.62 30.22 30.94 19.75 35.30 10.44 20.48 

Labour force 

participation rate 28.24 21.72 23.72 38.48 24.79 64.86 48.85 

In South Africa, one cannot ignore the significance of the informal sector which 

accounted for 20 percent of the countries employment (Quantec Research (Pty) Ltd, 

2012). 

The informal economy can be defined as “Unorganised, unregulated and mostly 

legal but unregistered economic activities that are individually or family owned and 

use simple, labour intensive technology” (Barker, 2003) in (Blaauw, 2005). 

60000 

2010 Employed and Unemployed 

50000 

Number of People 

40000 

30000 

20000 

10000 

Formal employment 

Informal employment 

Unemployed 

0 

UDM KZ 271 KZ 272 KZ 273 KZ 274 KZ 275 KZDMA 

Municipality 

Figure 12: Employment by number of people for 2010 (Quantec Research (Pty) Ltd, 2012) 



uMkhanyakude’s informal employment, like South Africa, averages 20 percent of all 

employed. While this sector contributes to income generation for poor households, it 

is not enough to bring down the unemployment rate. Figure 10 below shows the 

2010 data number of employed persons by sector as well as the number of 

unemployed person. 

The number of people who are formally employed dominates those not formally 

employed or unemployed. There are 56 162 persons formally employed in 

uMkhanyakude DM and 14 705 persons informally employed. There are 25 706 

persons who are unemployed in the district. 

Figure 13 below shows the employment by sector and level of skill for 2010. 

The largest number of persons employed in uMkhanyakude DMis highly skilled 

workers in the formal sector. This is followed by persons employed in the informal 

sector and closely behind is semi-and unskilled workers. 

The uMkhanyakude population is largely an unskilled population with low education 

levels. The fact that largest numbers of person employed are highly skilled implies 

that future job creation needs to be directed at low skilled labour intensive 

employment. This will create jobs for the most vulnerable and help reduce the 

unemployment problem. 

120000 

Employment by skill level and industry 2010 

100000 

Number of Persons 

80000 

60000 

40000 

20000 

Informal employment 

Formal employment by skill: 

Semi‐ and unskilled 


Skilled 


Highly skilled 

0 

UDM 

KZ 271 KZ 272 KZ 273 KZ 274 KZ 275 KZDMA 

Municipality 

Figure 13: employment by skill level 



Mtubatuba has the lowest unemployment rate, as well as the second largest number 

of highly skilled workers employed. This is aligned to the fact that it is houses the 

largest town in the area and demands higher skilled activity. 

INCOME 

The monthly income per person (age 15-65) reflects the poverty in uMkhanyakude 

DM. 

Table 17 is taken from Community Survey 2007 data. It shows the monthly income 

bracket for 336 198 persons. Of this number, 220 848 (66 percent) earn no monthly 

income. 10 percent or 33 667 people earn between R 801 – R1600 per month. This 

is followed by 24 396 people earning R401 – R800 a month. 

Table 17 Monthly income bracket per employed person between 15 - 65 (Statistics South Africa, 2007) 

Income Bracket Male Female uMkhanyakude 

No income 93 916 126 932 220 848 

R1 - R400 4 832 11 306 16 138 

R 401 - R800 10 449 13 947 24 396 

R 801 - R1 600 14 514 19 153 33 667 

R1 601 - R3 200 6 606 4 058 10 664 

R3201 - R6 400 4 606 3 348 7 954 

R 6 401 - R12 800 2 531 2 440 4 971 

R12 801 - R25 600 1 032 543 1 575 

R25 601 - R51 200 483 104 587 

R51 201 - R102 400 118 45 163 

R102 401 - R204 800 97 412 509 

R204 801 or more 20 234 254 

Response not given 5 469 4 565 10 034 

Institutions 2 455 1 983 4 438 

From the table above it is evident that there is a gender skew in income earned. 

There are 33 000 more females than men who earn no income in UDM. More 

women than men earn between the income bracket R1 – R1 600, but beyond this 

bracket, the number of men who earn are higher. Thus women earn less in UDM 

than men do. 

The IDP (2011/12) presents data of annual household income from Community 

Survey 2007 data. 69 percent of households earned below R 9 600. This is 

worsened by the fact that approximately 42 percent of household have 4 -7 



occupants and about 25 percent has 8 or more occupants. This again highlights the 

vulnerability of the district (uMkhanyakhude District Municipality, 2010). 

In terms of household income, uMkhanyakude District is on average worse off than 

all other districts in KwaZulu-Natal. The figure below based on 2001 data, shows the 

monthly annual household income of less than R400 a month. In 2001, 86 percent of 

household in uMkhanyakude earned less than R400 a month which is compared to 

range of 61 – 83 percent for other DMs which reflects a dismal standard of living 

across the province. 

Figure 14: Percentage Household Income less than R400 a month for KwaZulu-Natal in 2001 (KwaZulu-Natal 

Department of Local Government adn Traditional Affarirs, 2007) 

DEVELOPMENT NODES 

The National Spatial Development Perspective recognised six categories of 

development potential which cover the spectrum of economic functions in a modern 

economy: 

Production of high value, differentiated goods not strongly dependent on 

labour costs, focused on local & global niche markets – i.e. manufacturing 

Production of labour intensive, mass produced goods more dependent on 

labour costs, affordable transport linkages – i.e. agriculture and mining 

Innovation and experimentation – research and development 

Retail and private sector services – large employer of skilled & semi skilled 

workers in advanced economies 

Tourism – dependant on tourism attractions 



Public service and administration 

uMkhanyakude relies mainly on two of these: public services and administration, 

trade and tourism as highlighted already. 

The Department of Co-operative Governance has developed a Municipal Spatial 

Classification System was developed as mentioned in the demographic profile. From 

the classification of economic potential and the classification of poverty a matrix of 

development corridors and nodes has been identified which will serve to serve two 

functions, namely: 

To facilitate the increased growth of existing centres and corridors of 

economic development in the province; and 

To ensure that the potential for economic development within areas of high 

poverty is realised (KwaZulu-Natal Department of Local Government adn 

Traditional Affarirs, 2007) 

The nodes are defined as follows (KwaZulu-Natal Department of Local Government 

adn Traditional Affarirs, 2007): 

Primary Node: An urban centre with very high existing economic growth and 

the potential for expansion thereof. Provides service to the national and 

provincial economy. 

Secondary Node: An urban centre with good existing economic development 

and the potential for growth. Services the regional economy. 

Tertiary Node: A centre which should provide service to the sub-regional 

economy. 

Quaternary Node: A centre which should provide service to the localised 

economy 

5th level Node: A centre which provides service to a ward 

The corridor and node (investment or growth point) for uMkhanyakude have been 

identified in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Spatial Economic Development Strategy 

(PSEDS), the UDM IDP and UDM SDF. The table below, taken from the UDM IDP of 

indicate the primary, secondary and tertiary nodes in each municipality. 

Table 18: Economic Nodes in uMkhanyakude by local municipality (uMkhanyakhude District Municipality, 2010) 

LM 

KZ 271 

Economic 

Growth: 

DC 27 

KZ 271 

KZ 272 DC 27 

Primary Nodes Secondary Nodes Tertiary Nodes 

Mbazwana 

Phelandaba 

Manguzi 

Mseleni 

Manguzi Mseleni Phelandaba, 

Mbazwana Sikhemelele Manaba 

Mboza 

Monzi 

Mkhuze Mkhuze Ingwavuma 

Jozini 

uBombo 



KZ 273 

KZ 274 

KZ 275 

KZ 272 

Bhambanana 

Jozini Ingwavuma Ophansi 

Bhambanana 

uBombo 

Manyiseni 

Ndumo 

Makwakwa 

Mhlekazi 

DC 27 Hluhluwe Kwa-Mduku 

KZ 273 Hluhluwe Kwa-Mduku Nibela 

Mnqobokazi 

DC 27 Hlabisa Somkhel 

KZ 274 

Hlabisa 

Somkhel 

Mfekayi 

Mthekwini 

DC 27 Mtubatuba Mtubatuta 

KZ 275 

Isimangaliso Wetland 

Park 

Isimangaliso Wetland 

Park 

Monzi-Ezwenelisha 

Khula village 

“Umkhanyakude needs to recognise its strengths, but also its limitations within this 

wider perspective. It cannot afford to try and go for “spatial equity” or what the NSDP 

calls a “watering can approach”. It has to focus on its own economic engines, 

existing and potential and develop those centres and the links between them. It also 

needs to look at how it can link into KZN’s engines of growth – primarily Richards 

Bay due to its proximity, but also Pietermaritzburg / Durban and to a lesser extent, 

Newcastle.” (Isikhungusethu Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd, 2008) 

The following are highlighted in the PSEDS for UDM: 

Services 

Formalise and plan Mtubatuba, Hlabisa, Mbazwana, Jozini & Manguzi to 

position for investment 

Provide adequate affordable housing and related services in towns 

Agriculture and Land Reform 

Makhatini Flats: improve roads, free up water from Pongola Poort dam 

Develop Mkhuze, Mbazwane, Jozini, Manguzi & Hluhluwe as agricultural 

service centres 

Support for existing and potential land reform cluster projects across 

Umkhanyakude with respect to livestock, maize, biofuels, nuts etc 

Develop Mkhuze airstrip for agricultural exports 

Development of livestock and game farming potential on Trust land 

Develop agri-processing in Mkhuze & Jozini linked to Makatini flats 

Tourism 



St Lucia & Cape Vidal: unlock potential of sites for tourism 

Ndumo & Thembe reserves: improve access 

Mkhuze airstrip for tourism – need regular scheduled flights 

Swaziland – Mbaswana – GSLWP corridor 

Development of tourism opportunities on Pongola Poort Dam 

SDI route: ensure linking of route to Maputo 

Reduce risk of malaria 

Figure 15: Development Map of UDM (Isikhungusethu Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd, 2008) 

LUBOMBO SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE 

The Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) methodology was developed in South Africa 

in 1996 through the Department of Trade and Industry. It is an integrated planning 

tool aimed at promoting investment in regions of the country that were 

underdeveloped but had potential for growth. 

The methodology involves a process in which the public sector develops or facilitates 

conditions conducive to private sector investment and Public-Private-Community 



Partnerships.” (Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative, 2012) The SDI has in 2002 

focused on the Southern African Development Community and includes Angola, DR 

Congo, Mozambique, Namibia and Tanzania. 

The LSDI is a tri-partite initiative between South Africa, Mozambique & Swaziland. 

The geographic extent of the LSDI is defined to the north by the Maputo Bay in 

Mozambique, to the south by the IsiMangaleso Wetland Park in South Africa and to 

the west by the Songimvelo-Malolotja Transfrontier Conservation Areas straddling 

Swaziland and South Africa (Regional SDI Programme, 2011). 

The economic base of this SDI is essentially eco-tourism & agriculture but there 

have recently been a resurgence of interest in significant regional infrastructure 

development. Initiatives that fall under the LSDI include: 

The Lubombo TFCA - The Lubombo TFCA is a unique and complex TFCA, 

consisting of five mini TFCAs. The Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation and 

Resource Area (TFCA) Protocol was signed between the Governments of 

Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland on 22 June 2000. These mini 

TFCAs are as follows: 

o Ndumu-Tembe-Futi TFCA is between Mozambique and South Africa 

(SA). 

o Ponto do Ouro-Kosi Bay Marine and Coastal TFCA is between 

Mozambique and SA. 

o Nsubane-Pongola TFCA is between SA and Swaziland 

o Lubombo Conservancy-Goba TFCA is between Mozambique and 

Swaziland 

o Songimvelo-Malolotja TFCA is between SA and Swaziland (recently 

incorporated into Lubombo TFCA) 

LSDI Malaria Control Initiative – which includes the following include the 

following 

o Extending indoor residual spraying (IRS) to Maputo Province, 

Mozambique and ensuring effective malaria control was maintained in 

South Africa and Swaziland. 

o Monitoring and evaluating malaria control in the region and developing 

a regional GIS-based Malaria Information System (MIS). 

o Providing updated tourist information booklets containing definitive 

malaria risk maps and prophylaxis guidelines. 

o Monitoring the negative impact of malaria and the beneficial effects of 

malaria control on communities, tourism and development. 

o Ensuring sustainability of malaria control through appropriate capacity 

development, fund raising and integration of control activities within the 

provincial health system in Mozambique. 

The Makhathini Integrated Master Development Plan – is a plan focusing on 

the development of the two local municipalities of Jozini and 



Umhlabuyalingana Local Municipality. The project includes sugarcane, fruit 

and vegetables production and processing 

Lumbobo Road Network – The main road structure is made up of the R22 that 

serves as tourism, commercial and access route from Maputo, down to 

Hluhluwe. There are several provincial routes which also encompass the 

Road network including access to Swaziland. 

OTHER INITIATIVES 

Mkuze Regional Airport – development of an airport at Mkuze, which currently 

houses a small landing strip. 

Jozini Hydro-electric Scheme – alternative energy generation 

Bhambanana Abattoir – This is a Presidential Lead project for a Regional / 

Umkhanyakude District Abattoir located at the secondary node Bhambanana 

in the Jozini Municipality's area of jurisdiction. Bhambanana is approximately 

50km north of Jozini town. The Department of Agriculture, Environmental 

Affairs and Rural Development is the custodian of the project. Department of 

Public Works the implementing agent. 

Ndumo Learners Support Centre Programme - high quality secondary high 

school with boarding facilities. 

Pongolapoortdam Marketing strategy 

Figure 16: Lubobmo SDI locality Map (Regional SDI Programme, 2011) 



TOURISM 

UMkhanyakude Dristrict Municipality can play a significant role in ensuring that the 

local communities benefit from tourism by engaging in tourism development and 

promotion. 

The economic benefits of tourism include (Dube, 2005): 

the provision of employment opportunities as it is a labour-intensive industry; 

generating a supply of needed foreign exchange; 

increases incomes; 

develops an infrastructure that will also help stimulate local commerce and 

industry, 

helps to diversify the economy; 

spreads development; 

Improves the quality of life related to a higher level of income and improved 

standard of living 

However, these benefits can only be realised with adequate support infrastructure 

(physical, soft and institutional) and through coordination of the public sector, private 

business and communities affected. 

AGRICULTURE 

All IDP’s for local municipalities and the uMkhanyakude district have noted that the 

agricultural sector had large potential for commercial growth. However the 

challenges face by the agricultural sector is numerous. These constraints include 

poor road infrastructure and water supply, land ownership and development 

constraints and access to markets. 

Inputs 

About 20 percent of the area is considered high potential land for agriculture and 52 

percent considered to have medium potential. The climate and the Jozini Dam allows 

for a large variety of crops to be grown (Business Trust, 2007). 

Production 

The crops with the most commercial potential for being production are sugar cane, 

cotton, timber and fruit and vegetables including pineapples. There are also cattle 

and poultry farming and timber plantations. Production needs to extend beyond 

subsistence level to commercial level (Business Trust, 2007). 



Target 

Sugar cane is mainly sold to local sugar mills. And other agricultural produce is sold 

mostly within the district. Access to larger markets like is hindered by bad roads, 

access to transport and lack of business contacts (Business Trust, 2007). 

Fruit, vegetables and poultry are largely sold to people in the node 

Access to large markets (Durban Johannesburg) is poor (lack of good roads, 

transport vehicles and business contacts) but potential is huge (Business Trust, 

2007). 

Table 19 below, taken from the uMkhanyakude SDF shows the areas that are most 

suitable for agriculture in order of suitability: 

Table 19: Areas suitable for cultivation, in order of suitability, (Isikhungusethu Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd, 2008) 

Order 

1st 

2nd 

3rd 

4th 

5th 

6th 

Place 

Sta1, lower Pongola Floodplain, Upper Pongola Floodplain, but recognising that 

both of the latter two BRUs are in floodplains, and Tua2 

Ra11, Va1 

Wa1, Mkuze River Valley Vwa3, Lower Mkuze River Floodplain (but cultivation of 

a floodplain), Wxa1, Ya1 

Yb2, Yb6, Xya1 

Za1, Ya8 

Mkuze River Valley, Uva2, Vwa1 

The figure below, taken from the PSEDS and shows the agricultural and tourism 

corridor for KwaZulu-Natal. uMkhanyakude had both tourism and agricultural 

corridors as indicated in the map on the left. 

The map on the left indicates the economic nodes or growth points in context of 

KwaZulu-Natal Province. UDM does not have any major economic nodes that 

contribute significantly to KZN. 



Figure 17: Map of Agricultural and Tourism Corridors for KwaZulu-Natal (KwaZulu-Natal Department of Local 

Government adn Traditional Affarirs, 2007) 

SWOT ANALYSIS 

STRENGTHS 

SOCIAL 

The presence of traditional authorities facilitates community support and ownership 

of developmental activity. 

Community structure and strong cultural background of the people 

There are a large number of schools and hospitals already in the area 

Ability to control malaria in the district shows strength and capability in the district. 

Historical and cultural assets 

INFRASTRUCTURE 

The N2 running through the UDM is a major strength to the district as it provides 

opportunities for growth and economic stimulation in the economy 

UDM is the closest access point into Mozambique and is also very close to 

Swaziland. This provides opportunity for tourism and other economic activity both 

directly and from spillovers. 



There are available water sources such as Lake Sibaya, which supply water 

(ensuring water security) to a number of urban centres, commercial and traditional 

farmers, and rural households. 

Areas such as Umhalabuyalingana LM is characterised by flat land from a 

topographical point of view. This makes construction and maintenance of new roads 

and water reticulation networks less costly 

Legal and policy frameworks in uMkhanyakude and at provincial level for support 

The spatial, economic and social planning in the district and its local municipalities 

are extensive and more importantly they all have unified goals and objectives 

ECONOMIC 

There are identified economic opportunities to tourism and agriculture to the 

uMkhanyakude economy, with current projects and implementation plans already in 

place 

The ecosystem and environmental assets of the district are numerous and valuable 

The high labour force that can attract labour intensive sectors 

The Lebombo SDI initiatives in the area result in an increase in investment and 

improved infrastructure 

The vast amount of land available for development 

Modes of transport available include rail, air and road 

The Ingonyama Trust Board as land owners, constraint land ownership and 

development in the area, as well as lengthen decision making. 

WEAKNESSES 

SOCIAL 

UDM is a rural area and settlements are largely isolated 

Large number of youth in the area leading to youth dependency with a lack of 

initiatives to address the situation adequately 

Idleness due to lack of employment 

High crime and lack of safety and security 

Vulnerability and poverty of people is in itself a constraint to escaping the poverty 

trap 



Low education levels 

As a result of poverty the overdependence on land for basic needs means that 

environmental assets are being disturbed (example of Dukuduku Forest). Thus there 

is a stong need for sustainable livelihoods. 

Migration of workers, mostly male, causing social and economic dependence on 

women led households 

There are a higher number of females in there district than there are males, even 

though males occupy a higher proportion of the labour force. 


Need for basic water, sanitation, electricity and housing infrastructure 

Water below basic level and there are existing backlogs that need addressing 

There is no easy access to education for 25 percent of households, particularly rural 

areas. Thus serving as a threat to the development of human capital required to 

uplift the social and economic conditions of the area. 

Low revenue to fight HIV/AIDS burden 

Healthcare in the area is unspecialised due to lack of infrastructure, capacity and 

finance 

Lack of infrastructure inhibits growth and development 

Need for implementation of legislation on environmental management 

Corruption and nepotism 

Political instability and prioritisation on short term gains 

Lack of proper leadership and capacity in government 

Large expenditure on planning and strategy programs with little implementation 

ECONOMIC 

The municipality is quite isolated from the rest of KwaZulu-Natal 

The majority of the population has little to no skills which limits the job opportunities 

that they can pursue and also limits the types of jobs/development that can be 

created in the area. 

There is relatively low socio-economic levels therefore there is a strong dependency 

on social grants. 



Overdependence of government for income generation 

Lack of diversification of economic activity 

Mismanagement of funds and unqualified audit reports 

Lack of financial resources to implement strategies and plans 

OPPORTUNITIES 

SOCIAL 

Through female education and policies promoted to uplift the status of women, UDM 

can increase the labour force and economic activity. 

There are also major social benefits of female education, such as increase 

household health and nutrition contributing to raising the standard of living. 

A large pool of youth which can contribute to the development of UDM 

Food security projects can be generated through the agriculture sector 

Current projects, strategies and plans are inclusive of community development and 

jobs reducing idleness which is a cause of a number of social ills. 

Through effective leadership and community involvement, residents can develop a 

positive sense of place and thus take ownership of the development of the area. 


Therefore a high proportion of young people and high number of females imply that 

programmes geared at developing all people will special emphasis to women and 

youth, hence a need for greater emphasis on schools, skills training, recreational 

facilities, and most of all, job creation. 

Solid waste management can lead to opportunities for income generation, 

environmental sustainability and improved health. 

Creation and improvement of transport linkages 

To provide access to isolates areas 

For potential economic activity (increased tourism and movement of goods) 

Improved social activity (recreation, access to health and education). 

Access to water at or above the free basic water level can improve health and 

sanitation. 

There is opportunity that legislation and strategies in place can be implemented 

through good leadership. 



ECONOMIC 

Increased infrastructure and support services directed at agriculture and tourism will 

generate high return rates and boost economic activity, create labour-intensive jobs 

and raise skill levels in the area as well as diversify the market 

The uMkhanyakude DM is an area that is well researched and with lots of potential 

areas of development identified. It is useful to collect and start identifying 

opportunities for growth and using the research to attract more research and interest 

in the area. 

The Mkuze airport upgrading is strategic move to attract activity from various sectors 

to the area and kick start SMMEs 

Local SMMEs have the opportunity to be part of the supply chain to large 

infrastructure long term development projects identified by municipal IDPS and other 

strategies. Since SMMEs contribute to job creation, there is an opportunity, 

particularly in the tourism sector to increase support and encourage SMMEs 

Development of traditional skills to create a larger cultural sector especially for 

tourism 

The opportunity to development of a diversified sustainable economy into tourism but 

also manufacturing should be encouraged 

THREATS 

SOCIAL 

Low levels of education and low skill level inhibit opportunities for locals to access 

jobs and leads to greater inequalities in the distribution of opportunities and wealth 

The high HIV/AIDS rate results in worker absenteeism and loss of jobs 

Political instability 

High number of youth and youth dependency causing idleness and social ills as 

there is not enough positive stimulation for youth 


40 percent of the population receive water below Free Basic Water level reflecting on 

the development of the district. For increases health, development and living 

standards of UDM, access to water for the district will need to be improved. 

Sanitation is low and threatens health levels 



A poor road network, or underdeveloped road network will limit and constraint the 

economic activity and potential of the district. Thus threatening potential of sector 

growth 

HIV/AIDS affects population growth 

Big divide between extensive planning, strategy, research and policy development 

and the lack of implementation due to capacity, political will and finance 

ECONOMIC 

Dependence on state for income and jobs is not sustainable and threatens further 

growth. 

The municipality largely depends on Equitable Share and MIG for basic service 

delivery and needs to create revenue generating strategies 

Lack of political will and continued instability 

Lack of capacity for effective governance 

Unqualified and under capacitated agricultural extension officers 

Lack of finance and financial security in the region 

A high focus on agriculture may sideline manufacturing and industrial sectors 

causing too much dependence on primary goods. 

TARGETED STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION 

Given stakeholder participation, the following information was mentioned: 

Agriculture and tourism were the biggest sectors but the potential of these 

industries are not fully realised. 

One of the biggest contributors to this stunted growth is that most of the 

identified nodes fall within the land owned by the Ingonyama Trust Board. 

o The ITB owns a substantial part of the land in UDM which constraints 

development in the area. Private business (eg hotels) are unwilling to 

operate in the area due to land ownership. 

o Investors are unable to purchase land or gain a lengthy lease in which 

it is profitable to operate (e.g. no entity can purchase land in Jozini) 

o Where the land has potential for agriculture, this potential is lost a the 

owners (IBT) are not implementing projects to facilitate growth. 

o Thus tourism, agriculture and manufacturing are all industries with 

potential that is stunted in part due to the problem of IBT land 

ownership 

Faced with constraint, the area is very dependent on government 



MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES 

Allowance for development that serves the people of UDM and serves their 

psychological, physical, developmental, cultural and social interests equitably 

Minimise the generation of waste and to manage waste disposal 

Ensure that the environmental impacts of new developments are meaningfully 

assessed and that the EIA process informs decision-making 

Ensure good governance in environmental management, including ensuring 

openness and transparency, participation, accountability, effectiveness, coherence 

and consistence 

Optimise the use of existing services infrastructure 

Preserve areas of high agricultural potential for agricultural purposes 

Creation of labour intensive jobs in economic development plants 

To encourage equitable distribution of profits 

Address Backlogs 

Development of Operations and Maintenance Plan for the water services 

infrastructure 

Need for MOA’s to be signed with the Ingonyama Trust Board in terms of land 

development 



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