PROFILE: uthukela district municipality

PROFILE: UTHUKELA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

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PROFILE: UTHUKELA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY 3

CONTENTS 1. Executive Summary ........................................................................................... 4

2. Brief Overview .................................................................................................... 7 2.1. Historical Perspective ........................................................................................................ 7 2.2. Location ............................................................................................................................. 7 2.3. Spatial Integration ............................................................................................................. 9 2.3. Land Ownership .............................................................................................................. 11

3. Social Development Profile ............................................................................. 12 3.1. Key Social Demographics ....................................................................................................... 12 3.1.1. Population ....................................................................................................................... 12 3.1.2. Gender, Age and Race ......................................................................................................... 12 3.1.3. Households .......................................................................................................................... 13 3.2. Health ..................................................................................................................................... 13 3.3. Covid-19 ................................................................................................................................. 15 3.4. Poverty Dimensions................................................................................................................ 17 3.4.1. Distribution ...................................................................................................................... 17 3.4.2. Inequality ......................................................................................................................... 17 3.4.3. Employment/Unemployment .......................................................................................... 18 3.4.4. Crime ............................................................................................................................... 18 3.5. Education and Skills Profile .................................................................................................... 18

4. Economic Drivers ............................................................................................ 19 4.1. Structure of the Economy ............................................................................................... 19 4.2 Primary Sector .................................................................................................................... 20 4.2.1 Agriculture ....................................................................................................................... 20 4.3 Secondary Sector ..................................................................................................................... 21 4.3.1 Manufacturing ................................................................................................................ 21 4.4 Tertiary Sector ......................................................................................................................... 24 4.4.1. Transport ............................................................................................................................. 24 4.4.2. Tourism ........................................................................................................................... 24 4.5. Informal Sector ....................................................................................................................... 25

5. Service Delivery ............................................................................................... 26 5.1. Water and Sanitation ............................................................................................................. 26 5.2. Human Settlements................................................................................................................ 27 5.3. Waste Management ............................................................................................................... 27 5.4. Electricity ................................................................................................................................ 28 5.5. Roads and Transport .............................................................................................................. 28

6. Governance ...................................................................................................... 29 6.1. Municipal Performance ................................................................................................... 29 6.2. Municipal Capacity .......................................................................................................... 30 6.3. Traditional Leadership Governance ................................................................................ 30

7. Project to Diversify and Grow the Economy ................................................. 31 7.1. Economic Projects ........................................................................................................... 32 7.2. Social Development Projects........................................................................................... 32 7.3. Spatial Development ....................................................................................................... 32 7.4. Environmental Forecast .................................................................................................. 33

8. Key Recommendations ................................................................................... 34


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1. Executive Summary

uThukela District is one of ten districts in the Province of KwaZulu-

Natal (KZN). The district municipality derives its name from one of the

major rivers in the Province, the uThukela River that rises from the

Drakensberg Mountains, and supplies water to a large portion of KZN

and Gauteng.

The uThukela District is mostly rural and consists of three local municipalities namely,

Alfred Duma, Inkosi Langalibalele, and Okhahlamba. The administrative seat of

uThukela is Ladysmith. The national routes the N3 (runs from south to north and vice

versa) and the N11(adjoins N3 via the R103 in the Ladysmith Urban Centre) runs

through the municipal area and are a busy province corridor with major links between

the national industrial hubs of Johannesburg.

uThukela district has a population of 724 248 at a growth rate of 1.0% From 2017 the

district has experienced a steady growth rate at about 1%. The district had a total

number of 161 787 households and 85 302 (52.7%%) women headed households.

uThukela has 1 673 child-headed households. 28% of the child-headed households

are in traditional dwellings.

As at 17 June 2020 there were 4 238 confirmed COVID-19 cases as well as 73 deaths

and 2 133 recoveries in KZN. There are three quarantine facilities in uThukela district

with 39 beds combined and all of the sites have been activated as at 29 May 2020.

The uThukela economy is largely driven by the tertiary sector with the community

services (23%), finance (13%), transport (12%) and trade (14%) sectors. In 2018,

uThukela contributed 3.7 per cent (approximately R18.7 billion) to the provincial GDP.

Alfred Duma local municipality is the economic hub of uThukela district municipality

and dominates the spatial economy of the district.

uThukela district is part of the natural resource economy regions. This includes

enhancing the productive capacity, environmental and livelihood quality, cultural

heritage, and natural resource-access of these regions through effective agrarian

practices and enterprise development programmes that are focussed on natural

resource restoration and custodianship.


2. Brief Overview

2.1. Historical Perspective

The District derives its name from one of the major rivers in the

Province, the uThukela River that rises from the Drakensberg

Mountains, and supplies water to a large portion of KZN and Gauteng.

Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site is renowned for its spectacular natural

landscape, importance as a haven for many threatened and endemic species, and for

its wealth of 35 000 pieces of rock paintings made by the San people over a period of

4,000 years. While there are many mountains in South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal's 200km

long uKhahlamba-Drakensberg escarpment is by far the most impressive. With peaks

that exceed 3000m, the Berg – as locals like to call it – forms the backbone of the

Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Area between the

Kingdom of Lesotho and South Africa.

The uKhahlamba (“barrier of spears” in Zulu) is a dynamic wonderland of river valleys,

mountain streams, rugged cliffs, hiking trails and stunning scenery that attracts

thousands of travellers every year, mainly during the hotter summer months of

December to February. With such natural beauty to its credit, it is not surprising that

the mountain region literally bursts at the seams with exhilarating adventure activities

and amazing accommodation. In winter, the mountains are dusted with snow,

transforming designated slopes into a winter playground!

The administrative seat of uThukela is Ladysmith. The district is rich in history, with a

wealth of historical buildings, battle sites and memorials. The district is known for the

presence of the natural structuring elements including the uKhahlamba Drakensberg.

uKhahlamba Drakensberg acts as the physical barrier between the uThukela district

and the Kingdom of Lesotho. The mountainous areas towards the north separate the

uThukela district from the Thabo Mofutsanyana (Free State) and Amajuba (KwaZulu-

Natal) districts.

2.2. Location

The uThukela District is one of ten districts in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

The district municipality derives its name from one of the major rivers in the Province,


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the uThukela River that rises from the Drakensberg Mountains, and supplies water to

a large portion of KZN and Gauteng.

uThukela district shares a boundary with three district municipalities, namely, Amajuba

to its north, uMzinyathi to its east and uMgungundlovu to its south. To its north west,

uThukela district shares a boundary with Free State province and a border with

Lesotho to its south west.

The uThukela District is 75% rural and most of the area comprise of traditional areas.

The District consists of three local municipalities namely, Alfred Duma, Inkosi

Langalibalele, and Okhahlamba. The size of the District is approximately 11500 km²

with Alfred Duma being the largest at 3 957.63 km², followed by Inkosi Langalibalele

at 2 958.59 km², and Okhahlamba at 3540.63km².

“THE DISTRICT IS KNOWN FOR THE PRESENCE

OF THE NATURAL STRUCTURING ELEMENTS INCLUDING

THE UKHAHLAMBA DRAKENSBERG AS WELL AS

MOUNTAINOUS AREAS ON THE NORTH.”


2.3. Spatial Integration

The national routes the N3 (runs from south to north and vice versa) and the

N11(adjoins N3 via the R103 in the Ladysmith Urban Centre) runs through the

municipal area and are a busy province corridor with major links between the national

industrial hubs of Johannesburg. uThukela District is a mixture of rural and urban in

its character. This is particularly due to the existence of a number of towns and

townships as the urban component while rural areas are within Ingonyama Trust

Areas. 75% of the district is rural and most of the area comprises of traditional areas.

The rural areas comprise of settlements, subsistence agricultural land and limited

social and economic activities.

The development in the district is scattered with an absence of a strong nodal

hierarchy. Uneven topography, membership of the community and traditional land

allocation practices are the major factors that shape this settlement pattern.

Alfred Duma Local Municipality: is named in honour of a former Robben Island

political prisoner and a national orders recipient, from the area. It was established in

August 2016, by the amalgamation of the Emnambithi/Ladysmith and Indaka local

municipalities. At 3 764km² it makes up a third of the district’s geographical area. The


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municipality features the uThukela River and the Greater Drakensberg Mountain. It

comprises a range of settlements, from urban to municipal service centres, agricultural

landscapes, industrial and semi-rural residential settlements, and areas that are

predominantly rural. In terms of the macro socio-economic context, the municipality is

midway between the national primary nodes of Johannesburg and Durban. To the

west of the municipality lies the Free State Province and to the north the Mpumalanga

Province. The presidential prioritised railway corridor, which links the areas of Durban

and Johannesburg, runs through the municipality. In some parts of the municipality,

the community access roads are in very bad condition; some only exist as tracks. The

rural nature of those parts means that are has severe backlogs in infrastructure and

are characterised by much poverty. Towns in the municipality include, Colenso,

Ladysmith and Van Reenen. Key economic activities are agriculture, fishing and

forestry; mining and quarrying; manufacturing; water; electricity; construction;

wholesale and retail trade; tourism

Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality: derives its name from the King of amaHlubi

who was also known as Mthethwa whose throne was in the area after a stand-off in

1873 he was exiled to Basutoland but was captured, tried and banished to Robben.

He eventually returned to his home, but remained under house arrest. His

imprisonment was a watershed in South African political history that split the colonial

population of the Colony of Natal.

It is the smallest of the three municipalities in the district at 3 399 km2, but makes up

a third of its geographical area. The municipality was established on 3 August 2016

following the amalgamation of Imbabazane local municipality and uMtshezi local

municipality. The municipality boasts well-established industrial, commercial and

residential areas, as well as rich agricultural farmlands, with Escourt being the largest

commercial centre in the Midlands region. The N3 national road traverses the

municipality. Towns in the municipality include Estcourt and Weenen. Key economic

drivers are agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, industry, services

Okhahlamba Local Municipality: derives its name from the mountain range formerly

known as Drakensberg and known as Okahlamba by the locals. The name has two

isiZulu meanings the "place in the mountain" and “burier of spears”, on account of its

historic significance wars. It is the largest of the three municipalities in the district, at 3

971km² and is the gateway to the Drakensberg. Okhahlamba is made up of privately

owned commercial farmland; smallholder settlements; the urban areas and three tribal

authority areas. The ideally-situated agricultural and trading centre of Bergville, less


than 50km from the towering Amphitheatre of Royal Natal, was laid out by a retired

sea captain in 1897. Two years later, at the onset of the Anglo-Boer War, British forces

built a blockhouse in the settlement. The building is now a monument and museum

within the grounds of the Bergville Courthouse.

Bergville is a small town and is known as the gateway to the Northern Drakensberg.

Approximately half a million tourists are attracted to the Drakensberg annually.

Bergville hosts an office of the Drakensberg Publicity Association.

The area is relatively well linked through the network of existing provincial roads that

run through the municipality. The municipality is largely reliant on Ladysmith for

facilities such as shopping, medical services and education, among others. Large

capital expenditure is needed to meet service backlogs in the area. The council

manages a caravan park and holiday huts on the bank of the uThukela River. A

playground and facilities for sports, including swimming, tennis, bowls, cricket, golf,

rugby and badminton, are available. A modern community hall serves as a town hall.

Towns in the municipality include Bergville, Winterton, Cathkin Park and Geluksberg.

The main economic activities are manufacturing (29%), wholesale and retail trade

(12%), finance, insurance, real estate, business services, tourism, and agriculture.

2.3. Land Ownership

Land ownership within uThukela, demonstrates multiple tenure rights which range

from freehold to communal and state land. The majority of the land in uThukela is in

private ownership. This includes extensive commercial agricultural land and plots

developed for a range of land uses.

The majority of the farmland with high agricultural potential and strategically located

urban areas within the district is predominantly owned by whites. State-owned land

parcels include large tracks of land that exists on the outskirts of some of the urban

areas (Colenso and Ekuvukeni) owned by the municipality and land surrounding the

Ezakheni Township largely administered by the Department of Rural Development

and Land Reform (DRDLR). Vast tracks of land exist in all three local municipalities

that are registered under the Ingonyama Trust.

A few properties belong to parastatals, including railway line stations, servitudes and

properties owned by Transnet, electricity servitudes and sub-stations belonging to

Eskom and properties that accommodate the telecommunication infrastructure owned


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by Telkom. The implementation of the land reform programme has resulted in large

tracks of land being registered in the name of the communal property institutions

(CPIs) representing the beneficiary communities.

3. Social Development Profile

3.1. Key Social Demographics

3.1.1. Population

With an annual population growth rate of 1.0%, in 2019 uThukela

district municipality has a population of 724 248. An increase from

716 737 in 2018. From 2017 the district has experienced a steady

growth at about 1%.

Alfred Duma municipality experienced the highest increase followed by Inkosi

Langalibalele municipality (1.69%). Okhahlamba also experienced an increase in its

population recording 4.2% respectively between 2001 and 2016. The population is

spread unevenly among the local municipalities in the district. The population

distribution has changed after the emerging of eMnambithi with Indaka and uMtshezi

with iMbabazane local municipalities. The increase of the population in uThukela

district is attributed by amongst other factors the impact of high birth rate and

immigration.

3.1.2. Gender, Age and Race

In 2016, 53% of the population od uThukela was female. The District has a median

age of 20 years. Within the district females are more than males and are occupying


52.9% with males at 47%. The largest share of population is within the young children

age (0 - 14years) age category with a total number of 260 371 (35.95%) of the total

population. This is larger in uThukela (35.95%) compared to South Africa (29.1%).

The age category with the second largest number of people is the young working age

(15 - 34 years) age category with a total share of 32.88%, and the retired/old age (65

years and older) age category at 5.57%.

The majority of the people living in the uThukela District are Africans (96.22%) followed

by Indians (2.17%), Whites (1.07%) and Coloureds (0.54%).

3.1.3. Households

The district had a total number of 161 787 households and 85 302 (52.7%%) women

headed households. uThukela has 1 673 child-headed households. 28% of the child-

headed households are in a traditional dwellings.

3.2. Health

Certain infectious and parasitic diseases of the circulatory system and diseases of the

respiratory system are the main group causes of death in the district. HIV/AIDS is the

leading cause of death for the 15-34 and 25-64 age cohorts, at 18.7% and 22.3%

respectively.

The top two leading causes of death for children below the age of 5 is diarrhoeal

diseases (26.8%) and lower respiratory infections (17.0%). For the elderly,


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cerebrovascular disease, such as strokes (20.2%) followed by ischaemic heart

disease (13.2%) are the leading causes of death.

The HSRC South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and

Communication Survey 2019, indicates that there were 7.9 million people living with

HIV in South Africa and over 2.1 million were in KZN. HIV prevalence varies

geographically across South Africa, ranging from 12.6% in Western Cape to 27.0% in

KwaZulu-Natal. HIV prevalence in uThukela is at 22.4%.

The National Antenatal Sentinel HIV Prevalence Survey2013, illustrates that the most

significant decrease in HIV prevalence was in uThukela district which decreased by

6.4%, from 46.4% in 2009 to 40.0% in 2013. Male circumcision, teenage pregnancy

awareness campaigns, distribution of condoms and community mobilization – to

reduce new HIV/AIDS infections are some of the strategy’s employed by the district to

mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS.

In terms of maternal conditions, indirect maternal conditions (34.3%) and other

maternal (22.2%) account for the leading causes of death for women in the 15-49 age

category. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (per 100 000 live births) is 140.2, with Alfred

Duma municipality recording the highest at 205.3.

uThukela district has 35 fixed PHC clinics and 14 mobile clinics for service delivery in

the district. Alfred Duma has the highest number of clinics at 19 with 7 mobiles; this is

due to the urban nature of the sub-district and the fact that there is a main town within

the sub-district. Okhahlamba has the least clinics at 6 and the 3 mobiles although it is

the most densely populated sub-district at 3 971 km² it is the smallest in terms of area.


“HIV/AIDS IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH

FOR THE 15-34 AND 25-64 AGE CATEGORIES,

AT 18.7% AND 22.3% RESPECTIVELY”

Source: uThukela District Health Plan 2019/2020 – 2021/22

3.3. Covid-19 The first case of Covid-19, case Zero, was discovered in South Africa on the 5th of

March 2020, in KwaZulu-Natal. The 38-year patient zero had travelled with a party of

ten to Italy returning to South Africa on 1 March 2020. On 7 March a 40-Year old male

who had returned from Portugal, registered KZN’s first case.

As at 17 June 2020 there were 4 238 confirmed cases as well as 73 deaths and 2 133

recoveries in KZN. 76 of these active cases were in uThukela.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with Albert

Luthuli Centre for Responsible leadership have developed a set of COVID-19

Vulnerability Indicators using available data and knowledge. It identifies vulnerabilities


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present in communities and identifying areas in need of targeted coordinated

interventions and early response. The purpose of the indicators is intended to support

the early prevention/mitigation and preparedness phase of the disaster management

cycle and informing disaster management decision making. It is not based on

epidemiological modelling but a response to highlighting intervention areas due to

underlying situation. The composition of the index follows two main factors, namely:

transmission potential and health susceptibility.

Transmission potential areas identify areas that prevent social distancing to be

practiced and where limitations of practicing good basic hygiene. The health

susceptibility index denotes areas where large number of people are potential more

susceptible to being adversely affected by COVID-10 due to factors such as age and

underlying health conditions. The uThukela vulnerability profile is presented below.

The map shows low vulnerability areas (blue dotted areas) versus areas with higher

vulnerability (red dotted areas).

Because the district is spaserly populated with concetrated activties in major economic

hubs, the district has moderate vulnertability. Weneen is the plave where there is

extreme vulnetability, on account of economi activities. Area specific GIS vunerability

maps are available curtosy of CSIR at:

https://pta-gis-2-web1.csir.co.za/portal2/apps/opsdashboard/#/390a74fb10844c7a85396e60555a866d

https://pta-gis-2-web1.csir.co.za/portal2/apps/opsdashboard/#/390a74fb10844c7a85396e60555a866d


There are three quarantine facilities in uThukela district with 39 beds combined and

all of the sites have been activated as at 29 May 2020.

The District is experiencing a shortage in terms of people conducting contact tracing

and there is a general shortage of PPE to municipal employees. Major parts of the

district are experiencing significant water shortages due to drought and lack of

infrastructure.

3.4. Poverty Dimensions

3.4.1. Distribution

Using the lower-bound poverty line, there are 62.7% of the population living in poverty

in uThukela district. This is amongst the top 10 districts nationally, with the highest

population living in poverty. KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape prominently feature

in the top 10 districts.

Within the district context, the most poverty-stricken areas are found in some parts of

Okhahlamba (68.6%) and Inkosi Langalibalele (65.5%). Alfred Duma recording the

lowest at 58.7%. The overwhelming majority of people living in poverty are from the

black community.

“UTHUKELA DISTRICT IS AMONGST THE

TOP 10 DISTRICTS NATIONALLY, WITH THE HIGHEST

POPULATION LIVING IN POVERTY”

3.4.2. Inequality

According to Census 2011, the average annual household income is R14 600, with

15% having no income. 6% of the district population earns less than R4 800 per month.

This suggests a large population who are indigent and rely on the government for

assistance.


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3.4.3. Employment/Unemployment

The employment rate in uThukela in 2011 was 22.9% of the economically active

population compared to 31.51% in the KZN province and 38.87% nationally. The

unemployment rate in the district decreased from 58.8% in 2001 to 39.6% in 2011.

The level of unemployment in the district is bigger to that of the province, which was

49.0% in 2001 and 33.0% in 2011. Alfred Duma local municipality had the highest

levels of unemployment with the rate being 92.2% in 2016, whilst the lowest

unemployment rate in 2011 was in Okhahlamba local municipality at 43.4%. The

number of people who are not economically active increased from 207 830 in 2001 to

268 503 in 2011 (29% increase), compared to an increase in employed people of 21%.

3.4.4. Crime

The uThukela district’s strategies for addressing the issue of crime include both

reactive strategies to respond to incidents of crime and proactive strategies aimed at

preventing crime before it happens. The response follows an approach that works

closely with communities, community policing forums and other spheres of

Government (National and Provincial).

There are 15 police stations in uThukela District. 6 are located in Alfred Duma local

municipality, 5 in Inkosi Langalibalele and 4 in Okhahlamba. Although these facilities

are servicing the entire district area most of these facilities are located within the urban

centres of different local municipalities, which is sometimes inefficient for the remote

rural settlements.

3.5. Education and Skills Profile

The department of education in uThukela district is playing a vital role in ensuring that

the education is given the priority. According to the Census data, 39.7% of the citizens

in the District have completed matric or have higher qualifications. 4% are in

possession of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. 10% have no education at

all and 12% have some primary education. This means that there is a limited pool of


skilled labour in the district and that basic education provision, as a pillar of future local

economic development, needs to be addressed to improve skills levels.

The matric results have shown some increase in 2018 from 72.85% to 76.65% and

translating into an increase of 3.8%. There are 445 public schools and 15 independent

schools in the uThukela District. The primary and high schools are adequate in the

District and institutions for higher learning are not available.

There is only one Further Education and Training College (Mnambithi FET College)

that is based in Ladysmith, offering education and training to prospective students in

the district. Mnambithi FET College has 6 campuses all located in the district. The

college offers NC(V) programmes in Electrical Infrastructure Construction, Education

& Development, Finance, Economics & Accounting and Tourism

4. 4. Economic Drivers

4.1. Structure of the Economy

A sector analysis reveals that community services (23%), finance

(13%), manufacturing (16%), and trade (15%) were the largest

contributors to the districts GDP.

In 2018, uThukela contributed 3.7 per cent (approximately R18.7 billion) to the

provincial GDP. This proportion is markedly lower than the proportion that this district


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contributes to the provincial population (6.3%), which implies that this district is

economically burdensome on the rest of the province.

The uThukela economy was largely driven by the tertiary sector with the community

services (23%), finance (13%), transport (12%) and trade (14%) sectors.

Alfred Duma local municipality is the economic hub of uThukela district municipality

and dominates the spatial economy of the district. Economic development is uneven

across the district, with large disparities across local municipalities. Other

municipalities have relatively small economies that are dependent on community

services.

4.2 Primary Sector

4.2.1 Agriculture

The agriculture sector contributed 6% to the GVA of uThukela district. The sector had

one of the highest average annual growth rates in terms of GVA at 8% for 2001 to

2011, although employment growth was negative at -5% per annum.

The agriculture sector is characterised by commercial and subsistence agriculture in

the rural areas, with commercial agriculture covering 6852 60% of the district’s

geographic area. Commercial crops and commercial forestry accounts for a smaller

fraction of the municipal area represent existing commercial agriculture. Okhahlamba

and Inkosi Langalibalele are primarily agricultural followed by Alfred Duma.

Crops Planted in uThukela include maize, potatoes, soya beans, wheat, cabbage,

sugar cane and oranges. In 2015, there were 1 million chickens, 56 000 pigs, 47 000

cattle and 26 000 sheep in the district. Beef ranching dominates in Alfred Duma local

municipality, whilst chickens are the dominant activity in Inkosi Langalibalele local

municipality. The main area of sheep and pig farming is also in Inkosi Langalibalele

local municipality.

Table: Contribution of Agriculture to the uThukela District's Economy

2001 2006 2011

uThukela’s agriculture, forestry and fishing GVA

contribution (Rm)

425 619 946

Relative contribution to total GVA within

uThukela

6% 6% 7%

Relative contribution to total GVA within KZN 4% 6% 7%


uThukela’s agriculture, forestry and fishing

employment contribution

13 772 16 305 7 959

Relative contribution to total employment within

uThukela

14% 15% 7%

Relative contribution to total employment within

KZN

4% 6% 8%

Source: Department of Agriculture, 2014

The KZN Provincial Spatial Economic Development Strategy (PSEDS) identifies

Okhahlamba as one region with massive potential for growth in agriculture and agro-

processing (IDP, 2019/20). The sector can be further developed to exploit economic

opportunities presented by its location along the major transport routes and abundant

water from the Thukela River (Thukela-Vaal Scheme).

“INKOSI LANGALIBALELE AND ALFRED

LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES ARE THE DOMINANT

MANUFACTURING AREAS IN THE DISTRICT.”

4.3 Secondary Sector

4.3.1 Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector contributed 16% to the GVA of the uThukela district. The

sector’s average annual growth rate in GVA was 4% between 2001 and 2011.

Inkosi Langalibalele and Alfred local municipalities are the dominant manufacturing

areas in the District. Manufacturing is mostly concentrated in Ladysmith but there are

some limited industrial activities, which are located in Estcourt. Ezakheni Industrial

Estate and Danskraal form the major industrial areas in Alfred Duma local municipality.

Large manufacturing enterprises are based in both municipalities and include Defy

Appliances, Zorbatex, Nestle, Eskort meat, Sumitomo Factory Tyres and Clover SA.

According to the uThukela District Growth and Development Plan, there is good

demand for manufactured products in uThukela such as clothing and textile, footwear,

furniture, food, beverages and building material.

There is availability of raw material to feed into the manufacturing sector to a certain

extent. The manufacturing sector is not developed to its full potential, mostly because

raw materials in the district are transported to other centres outside the district for

processing.


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Investment opportunities available in the manufacturing sector include, clothing and

textile, agro-processing, charcoal plant, traditional medicine, as well as transport and

machinery equipment.



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4.4 Tertiary Sector

4.4.1. Transport

uThukela District is strategically located with two national routes, the N3 and N11

traversing the district and form a critical link between uThukela and the provincial,

national and international destinations. The N3 traverses uThukela and form the

connection between Durban and industrial hubs Gauteng this route. The N3

development corridor linking Gauteng with Durban and its export harbour, carries a

vast amount of goods and passengers along the route.

The N11 is an alternative route from Ladysmith to Gauteng and Limpopo and forms

an important route between Ladysmith and Newcastle located in the neighbouring

Amajuba district municipality.

The national routes have high volumes of traffic and are largely being utilised as a

main route by trucks and other freight vehicles. Many opportunities exist for

development that can capitalize on the existence of this route. Due to the limited

access nature of this road, opportunity points exist at key intersections or off-ramps

along its route. In recent years, there is an increase of truck protests on the N3 causing

extensive damage to property and negatively impact the economy.

A railway line linking KwaZulu-Natal with Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces also

runs through the district.

4.4.2. Tourism

uThukela district is known as the tourist destination with its strong potential to attract

investments and job creation opportunities. Tourism in uThukela can be categorized

as adventure, cultural and heritage tourism. The district has spectacular natural sites

which contain game reserves with various wildlife as well as caves and rock-shelters

with the largest and most concentrated group of paintings in Africa south of the

Sahara.

In 2010, an estimated 162 967 foreign tourists visited the district municipality. This is

based on 126 492 tourists to the Drakensberg and 36 475 tourists to the Battlefields.

The main source markets of foreign tourists in the district are the UK, Germany,

Netherlands and USA (as reported in the uThukela tourism strategy). According to the

uThukela tourism development strategy, majority of the domestic tourists visiting

uThukela are from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State. This is due to the

favourable location of uThukela, being on the border of the Free State and along the

N3 to Gauteng and other areas in KwaZulu-Natal.


Okhahlamba municipality has the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg World Heritage site and

Alfred Duma is linked to the popular Battlefields products. The Drakensberg is one of

the country’s top tourist attractions and lies along the international border between

South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho. It creates a drainage divide on the

escarpment that forms the watershed for two of Southern Africa’s largest drainage

basins.

Ladysmith town, in Alfred Duma local municipality, is a significant historical tourism

destination and offers a number of museums and historical sites while Bergville and

Winterton towns are located within the vicinity of the Drakensberg and derive some

benefits from the tourism industry.

There is an opportunity to exploit economic opportunities in the tourism sector in both

the Okhahlamba and Alfred Duma local municipalities.

4.5. Informal Sector The informal economy makes an important contribution to the economic and social life

of uThukela. The SMME sector in uThukela includes wholesalers and retail trade as

well. Street trading is one of the key means of living in the district and makes an

important contribution to the economic and social life of the majority of the residents.

It absorbs workers who would otherwise be without work or income. Most people enter

the informal economy in uThukela not by choice but out of a need to survive.

The informal economy has significant job and income generation potential because of

the relative ease of entry and low requirements for education and skills. The district

has identified an opportunity to construct trading markets for SMMEs and informal

traders in all nodes around taxi ranks.

“TRUCK PROTESTS ON THE N3 CAUSING

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AND

NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE ECONOMY”


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5. Service Delivery

5.1. Water and Sanitation

The 2016 Community Survey, reveals that 77.1% of the population

were getting water from a regional or local service provider, with 32%

of households having access to piped water inside their yard.

In uThukela district municipality, 120 240 (17%) of the population are getting piped

water inside the dwelling, 227 213 (32.2%) households had piped water inside the

yard, 94 457 (13.4%) from a community stand and a total number of 67 233 (9.5%)

from a borehole outside the yard. Water supply backlog in 2016 was 17%. This

translates that 26 205 households who do not have access to safe water supply and

while 132 069 households have access to water supply.

In terms of sanitation in uThukela district, 354 679 (50%) use a pit toilet, 161 294 (23%)

use flush toilets and 128 952 (18%%) use chemical toilets. There are a number of rural

areas that lack access to appropriate sanitation facilities. The appropriate sanitation

services backlog as at the end of December 2016 was 18%, which translates to 28

829 households do not have appropriate sanitation services.

The municipality is experiencing challenges of poor and ageing infrastructure

especially water and sanitation infrastructure. The unreliability of bulk services is a big

deterrent to well-functioning commerce and industry and attraction of new investment.


5.2. Human Settlements

With 161 787 households, 55% reside in a house, 28% in a traditional dwelling, 7% in

a backyard and 1.3% households are informal dwellings (shack). Okhahlamba local

municipality had the highest number of households residing in a traditional dwelling at

38%, and Inkosi Langalibalele the least at 20%.

The Alfred Duma municipality has identified a need for social housing to cater for the

large number of civil servants, and other state employees and persons employed in

the private sector who work in and around the municipal areas that do not own houses.

The following areas in the local municipalities have been identified as in need of

housing: Alfred Duma (Nazareth, KwaJwili/Ncema, Colenso, Kwahlathi, Klippoort

Settlement); Inkosi Langalibalele (Mandabeni, Vala, Madolobheni, Kwa Deklerk); and

Okhahlamba (Emoyeni, Emazizini, Emmaus).

5.3. Waste Management

25% of the population are getting refuse disposal from a local authority, private

company or community members. 59% are using their own dump.

Solid waste management is a shared function between the district and the local

municipalities. All three local municipalities in uThukela are operating their own waste

disposal sites which are licensed appropriately. The uThukela District Municipality is

not responsible for waste collection.


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5.4. Electricity

In 2016, 11.8% of the population had no access to electricity. 77% had an in-house

prepaid meter, 6% had an in-house conventional meter and 2% solar home system.

There are plans to re-open the decommissioned power station at Colenso. The re-

opening of the mine could be dedicated to electricity generation using methods that

reduce gas emissions. The backlog together with population and economic expansion

needs, make it imperative for this districts long term electricity planning.

5.5. Roads and Transport

The road access and road network system can be fully implemented with the capacity

to meet the current and future development needs of the public and private sectors.

The District’s movement strategy is premised on the provision and maintenance of a

highly accessible system that supports a range of modes of transport at various levels,

intensity and scale. The map below illustrates the transportation infrastructure and

road network in uThukela.


6. Governance

6.1. Municipal Performance

For the 2017/18 and 2016/17 financial years, uThukela district

municipality received a qualified audit outcome.

In March 2019, the KZN Office of the Premier, Department of Cooperative Governance

and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and the Provincial Treasury have collaboratively

decided to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the state of local government

of municipalities in the province.

uThukela District municipal council and Executive Committee appear to be meeting

regularly. The Municipal Council and Executive Committee have met the requirement

of the Municipal Structures Act to meet at least quarterly. Portfolio committee meetings

occur monthly. In this district family of municipalities, all Councils regularly receive

reports from EXCO and the Audit Committee including uThukela district except for

Inkosi Langalibalele local municipality. Although municipalities have indicated that

their councils do receive reports from MPAC, it has been alluded to by Inkosi

Langalibalele that the reports are poor and that the Audit Committee does not have

an action plan. This is cause for concern and CoGTA will provide assistance to Inkosi

Langalibalele in this regard.


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6.2. Municipal Capacity

In 2018, the Provincial Executive Council resolved that municipalities should fill all

critical senior management posts (Municipal Manager, Corporate Services, Chief

Financial Officer and Technical Services) by August 2018. In uThukela district, the

vacancy rate came down from 44% in September 2017 to 20% by August 2018.

In the Technical Services Unit, females are under-represented in the senior and middle

management levels. 16 of 71 employees who participated in the Finance, Budget and

Treasury offices skills audit had education levels below matric. 2 employees reported

General Education and Training Certificate (Gr 1-9) and 14 reported Further Education

and Training (Gr 10-11) as their highest qualification. The district is equipped with well-

trained and qualified General Managers that are capable of achieving the municipal

set targets.

6.3. Traditional Leadership Governance

In KwaZulu Natal traditional leaders have been identified for the purposes of

participation as contemplated in the Act and it was done through a Provincial Gazette

as required by section 81(2) of the Act. Traditional leaders identified participate in the

proceedings of the municipal councils. There is a system of rotation of participating

traditional leaders on a five-year cycle. The municipal council does not allow traditional

leaders to address the council. Although traditional leaders participate in council

committee meetings, their attendance is poor. The municipalities pay the participating

traditional leaders an out of pocket expenses (subsistence and travelling expenses).

The table below depicts the number of participating traditional leaders per District and

Local Municipality

uThukela District Municipality 6

Alfred Duma Local Municipality 10

iNkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality 4

Okhahlamba Local Municipality 3

TOTAL 23

The uThukela District has a Local House of Traditional leaders consisting of twenty-

four (24) traditional communities. Currently there are two (2) vacancies in terms of


traditional leaders due to the demise of an heir. However, the province is working

closely with the family in identifying the successors for the respective communities

7. Project to Diversify and Grow the Economy

uThukela district is part of the natural resource economy regions

(Draft NSDF). This includes enhancing the productive capacity,

environmental and livelihood quality, cultural heritage, and natural

resource-access of these regions through effective agrarian practices

and enterprise development programmes that are focussed on natural

resource restoration and custodianship.

Source: Draft National Spatial Development Framework

Further land and settlement development should be discouraged. Ensure careful

management of existing settlements and land uses in productive agricultural regions

that play a crucial role in national strategic water production, national food security and

rural livelihoods (Draft NSDF).


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7.1. Economic Projects

The uThukela District is part of the 27 rural districts that was identified by the

Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, to develop Agri-Parks. An

amount of R2 billion that was equally splited among the 27 rural districts. In uThukela,

the site for the Agri-Park is in Okhahlamba local municipality and is operational.

The District enables a market-driven combination and integration of various

agricultural activities and rural transformation services. The Agri-park comprises three

distinct but interrelated basic components:

• The Farmer Production Support Unit (FPSU) - a rural smallholder farmer

outreach and capacity building unit that links with farmers and markets. The

FPSU does primary collection, storage, processing for the local market, and

extension services including mechanisation.

• The Agri-hub - a production, equipment hire, processing, packaging,

logistics, innovation and training unit.

• The Rural Urban Market Centre (RUMC).

There is also an opportunity to link the market base with other production units that

exist within the district municipal area. These include, Nestle and Clover in Estcourt,

abattoirs in the district and Maize Mills in Winterton.

7.2. Social Development Projects

Project Name Project Type

(Description)

Project

Status

Financial

Year

Total Project

Cost

Celimfundo P School Combo Court Procurement 2019/20 R400 000

Zola P School Combo Court Early Stage 2019/20 R400 000

Sinethemba Creche ECD's Procurement 2019/20 R60 000

Masakhana Creche ECD's Procurement 2019/20 R60 000

Sicelokuhle Creche

(Peacetown)

ECD's Early Stage 2019/20 R60 000

Delhi Road Indoor Sport

Complex/Acaciaville

Fitness Centres 90% phase1

complete

2019/20 R8 243 000

7.3. Spatial Development

The objective of the spatial strategy is to guide spatial growth for uThukela in relation

to the physical space. The following are major issues identified:


• The development of nodes and corridors: The nodal hierarchy is interlinked with

a hierarchy of corridors and reinforces the function of nodes. Primary,

secondary and tertiary corridors have been identified and these would be

focused upon to develop the spatial structure;

• The promotion of small towns and centres: This should be coupled with a well-

functioning passenger transport system for the integration of settlement

hierarchies. The system will create balanced settlements and lead to

improvement in service delivery to outlying rural areas;

• Sound land use management practices: The hierarchical development

framework should direct development and support land use management

systems that mitigate conflicting uses and urban sprawl and the map below

displays the spatial reconstruction of uThukela district municipality.

The map below depicts the spatial reconstruction of the uThukela district.

7.4. Environmental Forecast

The effects of climate change will be felt sooner and the world must learn to live with

the effects. The destructive changes in temperature, rainfall and agriculture would

worse affect vulnerable people. uThukela district municipality is consciously aware

that climate change poses critical threats to socioeconomic development, in areas as

diverse as water and sanitation, food security, health and energy.


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8. Key Recommendations

• The need to strengthening relations between local municipalities and

traditional councils in their respective areas, given that such a large proportion

of the land under rural municipalities is under the custodianship of the

Ingonyama Trust.

• Encourage participation of traditional leaders in municipal councils and review

of the remuneration for leaders to cater for participating traditional leaders.

• The N3 and N11 transect the District, which offer potential for economic

development.

• Ensure efficient rural-to-rural connectivity in rural regions, to enhance the

prospects of making a life in these areas.

• Manage existing settlements and land uses in productive agricultural regions

that play a crucial role in national strategic water production, national food

security and rural livelihoods.

PROFILE: uthukela district municipality

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