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

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UDM ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK 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 Socio-Economic Assessment Page 40
UDM ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK 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 . Socio-Economic Assessment Page 41
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