Umzimkhulu Municipality covers a total area of 2436 km and has a population size of 243 242 and 43 545 households. Of the population, about 90,8% reside in rural areas, while the remaining 9,2% are urban based.
While efforts are centred on infrastructure provision and service delivery, backlogs remain vast. Umzimkhulu faces severe backlogs with respect to water, sanitation and electricity provision. In addition, road infrastructure remains poor and provides only limited access to the area.
Economy Agriculture, forestry and tourism have been identified as key economic growth drivers in Umzimkhulu Municipality.
High rainfall, good climate and rich soil give the area a high propensity for agricultural development. A wide variety of products are currently produced, including cattle, red meat and dairy, poultry, wool, maize, sugar cane, citrus, vegetables and timber. Most farming operations are at subsistence level, in spite of the potential for commercial-scale ventures.
Forestry makes up most of the income generation in Umzimkhulu however most of these forests are privately owned. Singisi Forest is the biggest stakeholder of forestry in Umzimkhulu.
The tourism sector has declined, but has a great potential for growth. Development of tourism around current initiative, like birding, rail and cycle tourism should focus on the tourism offer (accommodation, catering, and activities) at Ntsikeni Nature
Reserve and maximise the planned Umzimkhulu Gateway through careful planning around location and offering.
Historical and Other Places of Interest
Silalahla Falls
Chief Fodo Monument
Entsikeni Hills and Entsikeni Nature Reserve
Kok's Hill and Khoisan paintings
Umdlanstsimbi indigenous forest
Vision
"Delivery of quality services in Umzimkhulu"
Mission
Umzimkhulu Municipality will develop institutional capacity and use all available resources to ensure financial sustainability through public participation.
Description: The uMzimkhulu Local Municipality is a Category B municipality situated within the Harry Gwala District in KwaZulu-Natal. It is one of the four municipalities that make up the district, accounting for a quarter of its geographical area.
It is the most populated of the Harry Gwala municipalities. Households headed by women are in the majority of the population. There is a need to implement youth development programmes and, for the most part, to target women in stimulating nodal economic growth.
uMzimkhulu Town (and adjoining Clydesdale peri-urban area) is regarded as the primary node, both administrative and economic, in the municipal area. Rietvlei, Riversdale and Ibisi are regarded as secondary nodes, fulfilling the role of rural service centres.
Other settlements such as Mountain Home, Glengarry, Ntsikeni and Ncambele (Gowan Lea) can be regarded as minor service centres. The towns of Creighton and Franklin are accessible to the north-western part of the municipal area and Harding is accessible to the southern part, as economic service centres.
Area: 2 436km²
Cities/Towns: uMzimkhulu
Main Economic Sectors: Agriculture; forestry; community, social and personal services; trade and tourism
Other Council:
Mr Bhekamahlongwa Lukakayi (LED)
Mr Bulelani Magaqa (Exco Member)
Thandeka Manci (Community and Social Services and Governance)
Mrs Jabulile Msiya (Strategic Planning)
Mrs Sindisiwe Nkala (Infrastructure)
Municipal Manager: Mr Zweliphantsi Sikhosana
Chief Financial Officer: Thembakazi Mkhanya
Senior Management:
Mr Thulani Cele (Manager: LED)
Ms Khumbuza Dweba (Technical Manager: Infrastructure and Engineering)
Mrs Kholeka Mbalo (Manager: Community and Social Services)
Ms Nokuthula Nduku (Manager: Corporate Services)
Mrs Nwabisa Tyekela (Manager: Strategic Planning, Housing and LED)
Communications Officers: Mr Willie Mgcina
Postal: PO Box 53, uMzimkhulu, 3297
Physical: 169 Mzimkhulu Mlonyana, uMzimkhulu
Tel 039 259 5000
Fax 039 259 0427
Web www.umzimkhululm.gov.za
