Amajuba District Municipality

http://www.amajuba.gov.za

High Value

The Amajuba District Municipality with a total population of 468 000 people and serving an area of 6900 km2 is situated within the North Western corner of the KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa.The region is linked to the port cities of Richards Bay and Durban by rail and an airport with tarred runways and night landing systems, which puts Durban and Johannesburg within easy reach. The Amajuba region has abundant water, extremely competitive electricity tariffs and other service charges; a reliable skilled and unskilled labour force, a well developed transport infrastructure, first world educational, medical and community services; internationally-acclaimed tourism attractions; and enviable lifestyle. The northern and western mountainous edges of the District are regarded as high value landscapes, and are where oribi, wattled crane, Rudds lark and medicinal plants occur.

Newcastle

Urban settlements comprise a small proportion of the district, and are concentrated along the Newcastle-Madadeni-Osizweni axis. The town of Newcastle serves as the regional centre for most of the economic development taking place within the District and hosts a variety of well developed economic sectors as well as has potential for future growth. The economy was historically focused on coal mining but many collieries have closed. Currently, the manufacturing sector is the main employer, but is concentrated in Newcastle (90% of manufacturing employment is there). Although the Arcelor Mittal steelworks and the Karbochem synthetic rubber plant dominate Newcastle’s industrial portfolio, a diversity of manufacturing and commercial undertakings share in the region’s success. Newcastle has become the national textile capital, with some 65% of all South Africa’s textile manufacturing headquartered in the surrounding industrial areas, including the country’s largest producer of school wear. Other large operations include heavy engineering concerns, a granite tile factory, steel reinforcement, and a slagment cement factory.

The central business district of Newcastle, with a variety of shops, restaurants, a cinema complex, retail plaza and convenient and ample parking, makes it a centre of attraction for retail, not only within the Amajuba District, but also for surrounding towns, districts and provinces. All the country’s major chain stores, banks and financial institutions are represented and modern conference facilities are offered to the business community. Newcastle has a fully-serviced modern business industrial estate and sufficient land to accommodate any needs. A significant factor in an investor’s industrial location assessment is the overall operating cost.
In Newcastle all services are available at the most competitive, market- related prices. Depending on needs, the council will enter into special agreements with industrialists for the bulk supply of services.

Research has shown that Newcastle has a competitive edge for the manufacture of:

Aluminum-based products
High quality leather goods
Textiles and textile products
Clothing
Automotive components
Metal products and machinery

MISSION

The Amajuba District Municipality will through good governance (accountable, transparent, democratic and developmental local government) and management strive to achieve it's vision, within the legal framework by:

Promoting shared integrated service delivery,
Creating an enabling environment for economic development,
Increasing opportunities for previously disadvantaged communities,
Providing and maintaining integrated, affordable, equitable and sustainable services,
Facilitating access to land and social services,
Promoting development of a safe and healthy environment, and
Effective planning of infrastructure and technical services.

VISION

Amajuba will be a fully developed district, with a vibrant and sustainable economy, a better quality of life, preserved within its own cultural and traditional values.