Opportunity Issue 88 - Sept-Oct 2018
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Investment<br />
conversations<br />
Championing economic<br />
development in the iLembe district<br />
PROFILE<br />
Enterprise iLembe is an Economic Development<br />
Agency of the iLembe District Municipality mandated<br />
to drive economic development and promote trade<br />
and investment in the region. The philosophy that drives<br />
Enterprise iLembe is built on promoting a participatory<br />
process where local people from all sectors work together to<br />
stimulate local commercial activity, resulting in a resilient and<br />
sustainable economy. It is a tool that will help create decent<br />
jobs and improve the quality of life for everyone, including the<br />
poor and marginalized.<br />
The iLembe district of KwaZulu-Natal province is packed with<br />
opportunity, from agriculture and manufacturing to tourism,<br />
commerce and services. It even produces wine! We spoke to<br />
Enterprise iLembe CEO Nathi Nkomzwayo to find out more.<br />
What is the reason for being of Enterprise iLembe<br />
Economic Development?<br />
We are an Economic Development Agency of the iLembe<br />
District Municipality and our mandate is to essentially drive<br />
economic development as well as to promote trade and investment<br />
in the region. We do this through the development of the<br />
economic development strategy that guides economic activities<br />
and programmes. The iLembe district is made up four local<br />
municipalities, namely KwaDukuza, Maphumulo, Mandeni<br />
and Ndwedwe. These four local municipalities are all different<br />
in terms of their economic outlook and their developmental<br />
needs. Some parts of the district are extremely rural and some<br />
are urban and peri-urban. You are also looking at the coastalline<br />
on one end and then agricultural space on the other; each<br />
of these have their own economic and environmental impact.<br />
This then means that as the entity responsible for championing<br />
economic development in the district, our strategy and<br />
approach needs to zoom in on the development needs of the<br />
individual local municipal areas while ensuring broader alignment<br />
and integration in terms of what we do. It means that we<br />
need to be conscious of the unequal society that we deal with,<br />
which in turn translates to the unequal business environment.<br />
It falls to us to ensure the enabling business environment for<br />
all, big and small, at all times.<br />
Our biggest task is attracting direct investment and infrastructure<br />
development to the district. We work with various key<br />
stakeholders such as our partners Trade and Investment KZN and<br />
iLembe Chamber to position the district as the investment destination.<br />
Programmes include a bi-annual business confidence,<br />
32 | www.opportunityonline.co.za
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