VISION
The Sisonke District Municipality strives to uplift the quality of life of its residents by providing sustainable infrastructure, water, health services, sanitation and social amenities by 2010.There will be equitable distribution of land for residential, farming, investors, sports and recreation. Sisonke will be one of the province's viable tourist destinations characterized by a sustainable natural, social and economic environment. Its men, women, the elderly, disabled and youth will equally enjoy living in a safe and healthy environment.

Sisonke District Municipality

SERVICE DELIVERY
Sisonke meaning "we are all together" is one of the 11 district municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal. It is an inland municipality situated in the south of the Province. The district includes the southern most part of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg National Park adjacent to Lesotho and borders the Eastern Cape Province in the west.

Sisonke District Municipality has five local municipalities namely:

Umzimkhulu Municipality in the southern part of the district.
Ingwe Municipality in the northeast part of the district.
KwaSani Municipality in the northern part of the district.
Ubuhlebezwe Municipality in the eastern part of the district.
Greater Kokstad Municipality is the largestmunicipality within the district and is located in the western part of the district.
Kokstad Central Business District (CBD) serves as the service centre and commercial hub for most of East Griqualand and most of the Eastern Cape and has tremendous potential to fortify its commercial sector.

Sisonke is well endowed with natural resources and has vast potential for the development of its foremost economic sectors that of agriculture and tourism.

AGRICULTURE
Sisonke is well known for its agro-ecological potential due to its good quality soils, high altitude and abundant water. Commercial farms and to a large extent commercial plantations form the bedrock of the economy of the region. Climatic extremes make the area suitable for a variety of products including crops and vegetables, livestock and sugar cane around the Ixopo/ Highflats area. The district produces 10% of the milk consumed in South Africa and 35% of Clover Milk is from this area.

As part of ensuring that dairy remains a vibrant economic sector, a business plan that will focus on turning Dawn Valley Farm, within the jurisdiction of Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality, into a milk producing and processing farm has been formulated.

Massive expanses of commercial plantations and the wood harvested provide raw materials for paper. Sappi; Mondi; Mondi-Shanduka and Hans Merensky are the dominant figures in the forestry sector.

Amongst other agricultural opportunities are value adding and agri-processing. Sisonke District has set aside a budget to support Umfulamhle Citrus Production Enterprise.

A detailed feasibility study and business plan for bio-fuel derived from waste material from sawmills has been developed by Ingwe Local Municipality but funding has not yet been secured to kickstart the project.

The new farmer's market in Ixopo is a recent investment in infrastructure which will benefit the district's economy. The market will provide an outlet for fresh produce and other items including art and craft providing a much needed income earning opportunity.

TOURISM
The relatively unspoilt natural environment has high eco-tourism and adventure tourism potential. Activities such horse riding, mountain biking, river rafting, abseiling and canoeing are available. Hikers have a choice of gentle strolls to all morning hikes that will bring one to features such as San rock art sites, pristine berg pools and streams, caves and hilltops with splendid views. Overnight trips take the ardent hiker deep into the mountains and even up the great escarpment onto the South African - Lesotho border. The Sani2C, one of South Africa's top multi stage mountain bike rides, starts from Underberg and goes through Sisonke District ending in Scottsburg.

The rolling hills of Ixopo

Sisonke and the Paton Country Narrow Gauge Railway have developed a fledgling steam rail tourism sector based on the existence of the underutilised Cape Natal Railway line and the remnants of the narrow gauge line from Ixopo to Carisbrooke with a proposed extension to Umzimkhulu. This magnificently restored luxury steamtrain will offer a chance to experience the beauty of the KwaZulu-Natalmidlands and Southern Drakensberg,while the off train experiences will touch the hearts of all people fortunate enough to enjoy this journey.

An art gallery featuring the work of Gerald Bhengu will be one of the off train experiences. Bhengu is an internationally recognised artist and his artwork is represented in numerous public and private collections both locally and abroad. The proposed art gallery will not only celebrate the art of Bhengu but will also provide a historical record of African life prior to large scale transformation to modern times.

The Sisonke Stimela was launched by the MEC for the Department of Economic Development and TourismMr Michael Mabuyakhulu in April 2010.

Avi Tourism forms the single largest group of eco-tourists globally, and 25% of domestic tourists are interested in birding. Sisonke has two top national birding spots and seven important birding areas. The Marutswa Forest Board Walk in Bulwer has been completed by Sappi and is fully operational. The Ntsikeni Mobile Vulture Hide at Ntsikeni Nature Reserve is home to some rare bird species and has a Ramsar Convention status.

Ntsikeni Nature Reserve, including its 12000 ha wetland, epitomises a raw, untamed, quiet and natural beauty. Within the Nature Reserve theNtsikeni Eco-Tourism Development Enterprise operates two lodges, May andNtsikeni. The lodges each offer comfortable chalets, a large equipped conference facility and a dining area.

MISSION TOURISM
The beautiful Centecow Mission in Creighton is one of the largest mission centres established by the Trappist brothers inKwaZulu-Natal. Other Trappist stations are Reichenau, Emmaus, and Kavelear.

Built in 1894 Emmaus Mission was the very last major achievement of Abbot Francis Pfanner. Abbot Francis passed away in 1909. The abbot's wish was that a piece of his heart be buried at Emmaus Mission. His body was then embalmed and taken to Marianhill Monastry for burial.

The municipality's comprehensive District Tourism Development Strategy and Implementation aims to address the issues of: tourism marketing, tourism development and tourism management and institutional co-ordination at a district level.

The Sisonke District Municipality strives to uplift the quality of life of its residents by providing sustainable infrastructure, water, health services, sanitation and social amenities by 2010.There will be equitable distribution of land for residential, farming, investors, sports and recreation. Sisonke will be one of the province's viable tourist destinations characterized by a sustainable natural, social and economic environment. Its men, women, the elderly, disabled and youth will equally enjoy living in a safe and healthy environment.

Municipal Demarcation Board Code: DC43
Location of Head Office: Ixopo is 85 km south of Pietermaritzburg and 150 kmnorth-east of Kokstad.
Municipal Area (km�): 10 109 km�
Population (estimated): � 298 384
Local Municipalities: Greater Kokstad; Ingwe; Kwa Sani; Ubuhlebezwe and Umzimkhulu.
Main Towns Include: Creighton, Himeville, Underberg, Kokstad, Ixopo, Highflats, Bulwer, Donnybrook, and Umzimkhulu

The Sisonke District Municipality strives to uplift the quality of life of its residents by providing sustainable infrastructure,
water, health services, sanitation and social amenities by 2010.There will be equitable distribution of land for residential, farming, investors, sports and recreation. Sisonke will be one of the province's viable tourist destinations characterized by a sustainable natural, social and economic environment. Its men, women, the elderly, disabled and youth will equally enjoy living in a safe and healthy environment.

CHIEF OFFICERS
His Worship the Mayor: Cllr M.E. Ndobe
Municipal Manager: Mr. N. M. Mabaso

CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: 40 Main Street, Ixopo, 3276
Postal Address: Private Bag X501, Ixopo, 3276
Tel: +27 (0)39 834 8600/ 8700
Fax: +27 (0)39 834 1750
E-mail: mabasom@sisonkedm.gov.za
Websites: http://www.sisonke.gov.za

Integrated Development Plans (IDP)

Click here to Download the IDP for Sisonke - 3.9 Mb

Sisonke District Municipality

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