Creating Opportunity
The Hlabisa Municipality is one of five Category B Municipalities within the Umkhanyakude District Municipality and is situated adjacent to the District Management Area 27 (KZDMA27) and the Local Municipalities of Jozini, The Big 5 False Bay, and Mtubatuba. The municipal area is 100% rural and consists of four traditional areas. Hlabisa is located in one of the world�s richest and diverse tourism areas.
Situation
Hlabisa Municipality is faced by development problems and challenges that are relatively common to many areas in KwaZulu-Natal. The municipality is generally characterised by isolated rural communities with accompanying high levels of poverty. The Municipality needs to address these issues in an innovative manner in order to initiate and promote sustainable development. This would result in improved economic growth coupled with accelerating inward investment thereby, creating job and other socio-economic opportunities. Furthermore, it has been established that residential needs still needs special attention. Amongst other things the access roads to residential dwellings, reticulated water and sanitation and electricity are the most pressing needs.
Economy
The most significant land use is subsistence agriculture and dispersed settlements, plantations and agriculture are found throughout the Municipality. The major draw card of Hlabisa is the tourism industry centred on the adjacent game reserve. The manufacturing sector needs to be evaluated for development potential and investment opportunities. Tourism offers specific potential for local entrepreneurs and businesses. However, the opportunities are not fully reached or exploited and need to be unlocked and appropriately focused on niche markets for the full benefit of local communities. In addition, the black economic empowerment within this industry has not yet been realised fully.
Tourism Aims, Projects & Plans for the Next 5 Years
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Capturing a greater share of the domestic tourist market, particularly the African leisure market;
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Exploring options to integrate cultural tourism;
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Reconciling tourism development with demand for environmental protection;
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Ensuring spin-offs for the local community;
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Providing a range of accommodation types;
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Providing the local community with equal access to tourist facilities as well as opportunities to operate them.
Historical and Other Places of Interest
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Park; Hluhluwe Dam.
