Local Initiative
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Local Municipality in southern KwaZulu-Natal consists of ten wards each with an elected councillor and ten proportional representation councillors. Ingonyama Trust land makes up a large proportion of the municipality and includes a number of tribal authorities' areas of administration.

Current Situation
GGP data confirms the fact that the Ingwe Municipality is exceptionally poor and underdeveloped, relying heavily on agriculture as the main source of livelihood. The lack of a major trading centre such as the neighbouring towns of Underberg and Ixopo has limited the economic growth opportunities for this Municipality.

However, the municipality is situated in the Ukhahlamba Corridor which includes the link between the Southern Drakensberg through Underberg to Bulwer and the Midlands. This corridor is identified as being focused on tourism attractions.

The Port Shepstone, Ixopo corridor and by implication, the main corridor between Ixopo, Donnybrook and Bulwer has also been identified as an important tourism corridor and as an area to focus on production of labour intensive, mass produced goods more dependent on labour costs, affordable transport linkages such as agriculture and mining.

Economy
The Municipality has a well-established commercial farming sector which is based on semi-intensive beef, dairying, potato production and a strong commercial forestry sector. The tourism sector is small at present; however, there is considerable potential for growth as an adventure destination. Avi-tourism, focused on sighting and observing birds in their natural habitats, has also been identified as a key competitive advantage in the Sisonke District Municipality.

Railway tourism
Railway tourism has been chosen as a major avenue for economic development.

The small municipality has solved its office accommodation problems and created a potential tourist attraction by building a new R4.6-million railway station.

Part of the initiative will be for minibus taxi operators to offer tourist trips from the station, with stops every 12 km to view attractions. These will include a viewing platform at Indodeni Falls to see a colony of bald ibis, a craft centre at the historic Centocow Mission built in 1890, and access to school choirs and cultural experiences in traditional homesteads. Other plans include biannual steam train festivals that will be advertised internationally and will feature restored locomotives.

The old Creighton station - a wood and iron colonial building - will be refurbished and converted into a museum. The old post office, also on the station platform, will become a tourist information centre. A shaded boma and braai facilities for tourists are being constructed on the platform, and the whole vicinity will be attractively landscaped with indigenous trees and shrubs.

Vision
Dr Nkosozana DLamini Zuma Municipality strives to be a responsive, democratic and accountable Local Government by : Creating vibrant communities through delivering sustainable basic services with a strong focus on Socio-Economic Development and protecting the environment.