Where opportunities abound...

The magnificent uThungulu District is located in the northeastern region of the KwaZulu-Natal Province on the eastern seaboard of South Africa.

The District has the third highest population in the Province and stretches from the agricultural town of Gingindlovu in the south, to the uMfolozi River in the north and inland to the mountainous beauty of rural Nkandla.

The Winning Formula

The numerous accolades and achievements bestowed on uThungulu speak volumes of our commitment to excellence. uThungulu has always been at the forefront of service delivery and implementing best practices.

Some of the awards we received in 2008 alone include:

• Department of Water Affairs award for Most Improved Water Services Authority
• Our Integrated Development Plan (IDP) has topped the KZN Provincial IDP assessments in all five Key Performance Areas
• Seven consecutive unqualified audit opinions
• Winner of Community Spirit Award at Zululand Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards: August 2008
• Winner: Provincial Municipal Excellence Awards: November 2008
• Runner-Up: National Vuna Awards for Municipal Excellence: December 2008

Business Opportunities

The N2 highway links the district to other significant economic centres in the country such as Durban and Johannesburg. It also offers a direct route to Maputo in Mozambique. In addition, the development of the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone within the vicinity of the Richards Bay harbour (largest deepwater port on the African continent), is serving to boost economic activity and attract international investors wishing to take advantage of the investment incentives on offer, the competitive electricity price and the availability of affordable labour.

Important Sectors in uThungulu

The local economic development strategy of the district focuses on its comparative advantages in the agriculture, tourism and manufacturing sectors.

Mining

The district is home to two mining giants who have capitalized on the mineral-rich land in uThungulu. Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) is a leading producer of titanium minerals, high purity iron and zircon, found in the coastal sands of the region. It supplies most of SA’s needs and exports the remaining products across the globe. Exxaro KZN Sands is SA’s flagship empowerment mining company, involved in the mining, beneficiation and smelting of mineral sands, mainly to produce titanium slag from smelting ilmenite. Other products include zircon, rutile, leucoxene and low manganese pig iron.

Forestry

The commercial forestry sector is well-developed with large plantations owned by private companies such as Mondi and Sappi. Small-grower timber production occurs mostly in the tribal areas.

Agriculture

The major land uses in the district are:

• Commercial agriculture: the main crop is sugar cane, grown largely in the lower-lying coastal belt. The production of horticultural crops includes citrus, sub-tropical fruits and vegetables.
• Subsistence agriculture: this is associated with the majority of the tribal areas, which are characterised by under-development and high levels of poverty.
• The Nkandla Essential Oils project is a major out-grower scheme in the area and the second largest producer of geranium oil in the province. uThungulu is rolling out the essential oils programme project further in other local municipalities.

Tourism

uThungulu is also well developed with an abundance of natural resources. It forms a gateway to some of the country’s finest game reserves and is rich in cultural heritage, offering a unique Zulu Kingdom experience. The uThungulu District also has a number of wetlands, the most notable being Lake Cubhu and the Greater uMhlathuze Wetlands to the south of Richards Bay at Esikhawini. A variety of over 350 bird species and approximately 75 waterbird species are found in Mtunzini in the uMlalazi Municipality, including the rare Palmnut Vulture, making it one of the best bird-watching locations in South Africa.

Strategic Focus Areas

The five strategic focus areas of the uThungulu District Municipality are:

• an economically sound district
• effective infrastructure
• people empowerment
• an integrated environment
• leadership excellence.