Kwadukuza IDP 2011 - KZN Development Planning

Chapter 2KwaDukuza Situational Analysis2.1. Population StatisticsKwaDukuza population is estimated at 250 000 and to300 000 during the peak season.2.2. Age of the populationThe high number of potentially economically active personscreates a growing labour pool. The constant availability oflabour is an essential element in economic growth, which isconsidered as being important development opportunity forestablishing a more balance urban area and local economicbase. The KwaDukuza youth segment of the population hasa large base, and total number of people under the age of19 years accounts for 37.8% of the total population, andthe percentage of the population that is 34 years or youngercomprises 68.4% of the total population. The age group 65+represents only 6% of the total population. It is interestingto note that the Male component in the age group 65+comprises a very small percentage of the total population,i.e. only 1.8%.2.3. Education and SkillsApproximately 26% of the population in KwaDukuzaMunicipality have a Standard 10/Grade 12 or HigherEducation Qualification. Eighty percent (80%) of thepopulation of KwaDukuza has some form of schoolingbetween the primary and tertiary education levels. This ispositive for the municipality as it provides a skills base forthe area that requires minimum training.The challenge that KwaDukuza Municipality is facing is thatthere is no institution for higher learning in KwaDukuza area.The nearest institutions are further south in eThekwini orfurther north at MandeniIn KwaDukuza, approximately 33% of the population isemployed under the elementary occupation with 10% ofthe employed falling under service workers. In the districtand local level the majority of the employed fall under theelementary occupation. A number of people have basicemployment with 33% in KwaDukuza and 31% in theIlembe district.2.4. Employment ProfileThe employment profile of KwaDukuza Municipality indicatesthat the employed population from the economically activeaccounts for 66%. The remaining 34% of the population areunemployed. The bulk of the population of KwaDukuza iseconomically active.2.5. Income LevelsApproximately 61% of the KwaDukuza Municipalitypopulation does not earn an income. This category includeschildren and housewives. Studies also show that 13% of theemployed earn between R401 – 800. There are high levels ofpoverty in KwaDukuza as studies indicate that about 90%of the employed ear below R1600 which is the poverty line.2.6. HIV & AIDS PrevalenceHIV & AIDS poses a serious threat to the economy ofKwaDukuza Municipality. The statistics are as follows:Populationsegment HIVPositive %ILembe 14.2 13.2KwaDukuza 14.5 14.22.7. Environmental ContextAverage Annualgrowth in HIVand segment –1996-2004 %The fast pace of development in KwaDukuza placesunprecedented pressure on the environment. The findingsof the KwaDukuza Strategic Environmental Assessment(research) suggest that the coastal strip of KwaDukuzaMunicipality requires the greatest attention, as thedevelopment is greatest in this area. This is one of the areasof greatest environmental concerns.2.8. Biophysical ContextThe majority of the land within KwaDukuza Municipality ishighly transformed. Several rivers flow through the area ina west – east direction into the Indian Ocean, these include,from the South to North, the uThongathi, the uMhlali, theuMvoti, Zinkwazi and on the northern boundary of uThukelaRiver which is the largest river in KwaZulu Natal,A number of land use related factors (especially related tosugar cane cultivation) have caused extensive degradationof wetlands and rivers. This has severely affected both thebiological and ecological functioning of these ecosystems inthe KwaDukuza area. The coastline of KwaDukuza compriseof sandy beaches, dune forests and rocky headlands,The demand for sandy beaches and the pressure to providespace, adjacent to bathing beaches and other amenities,both for recreational activities and parking is growing.Degradation of the coastline has negative connotations tothe tourism industry, which is considered crucial for economicdevelopment in KwaDukuza. The Beach Recreational UsePlan highlights important coastal areas that still have intactecological biodiversity worthy of preservation.18KwaDukuza Municipality Integrated Development Plan - 2011/16