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

UDM ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
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.
Socio-Economic Assessment Page 38