Attracting International Investors
The King Cetshwayo District Municipality is in the north eastern region of the KwaZulu-Natal Province. It stretches from the town of Gingindlovu in the south, to the uMfolozi River in the north and inland to rural Nkandla. The N2 highway links the district to other economic centres such as Durban and Johannesburg, offering a direct route to Maputo in Mozambique. The development of the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone is boosting economic activity and attracting international investors.
King Cetshwayo District has a good climate and an abundance of natural resources. The arable land is suitable for large-scale agricultural initiatives, like the present sugar and forestry as well as agricultural opportunities including natural oils and fruits cultivation. The beauty and cultural heritage of the area enhances the opportunities for tourism.
The King Cetshwayo District Municipality comprises the local municipalities of City of uMhlathuze, uMfolozi, Mthonjaneni, Nkandla, and uMlalazi. The district is characterised by low levels of urbanisation; approximately 80% of the people live in the rural areas. The district is further characterised by large infrastructure backlogs, particularly in respect of water and sanitation mainly in the rural areas.
The City of uMhlathuze comprises the economic powerhouse of Richards Bay and Empangeni, and its supporting areas of Esikhawini, Ngwelezane, Nseleni, Felixton, Vulindlela, and rural areas. The City of uMhlathuze is the commercial and economic hub in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal, and a key centre and driver of growth in South Africa.
The municipality has the benefit of about 45 km of coastline of which about 80% is in its natural state. Linked to its coastal locality is the Richards Bay deepwater port that has been instrumental in the spatial development of the area in the past and will definitely impact on the area’s future development. The uMfolozi Municipality is located close to the St Lucia Estuary, a world heritage site, and to the popular fishing spot of Mapelane as well as the world-famous Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game reserves.
The main town of KwaMbonambi is located close to the N2 highway, the national artery, which runs from Cape Town to Mozambique carrying investors, business and tourist traffic. KwaMbonambi, with its abundance of land has been as identified as a primary development node. There is potential for residential and an industrial development, as well as the expansion of its timber industry.
Mthonjaneni is one of the smallest municipalities in South Africa, but it has the distinction of being regarded as one of the healthiest places to live in this country. Melmoth is a commercial centre for the surrounding rural areas and is one of the administrative centres of economic significance in the district. Cultivated land and forestry forms the backbone of the rural economy, situated mostly on both sides of the N2 with large forestry areas evident.
The Municipality of uMlalazi covers one of the largest geographical areas of all municipalities in South Africa, with a total area of some 2300km2. The municipal area includes a coastline on the Indian Ocean of some 18km together with a considerable rural hinterland. Eshowe, ‘the place of cool breezes’, has been chosen throughout history for its climate and is now the sub-regional centre and has the most diversified economy. Eshowe is situated near King Shaka’s famous KwaBulawayo kraal.
Nkandla is situated in a remote area of mountainous beauty, which consists mainly of tribal lands and stateowned land. The area has a wealth of forests, which boast many indigenous species. Nkandla has a claim to be the ‘cradle’ of Zulu history.
Nkandla town is the only urban area in Nkandla Municipality which offers the full array of urban development, albeit at a smaller scale compared to most towns in KwaZulu-Natal, are found. This includes low density residential, active and passive open space, schools, commercial areas, service industries, churches, offices, government buildings and services, financial services, etc.
