Region
Africa
KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
iLembe District Municipality
Sector
Agriculture & Agri-processing
Summary:
The iLembe District Municipality Growth and Development Strategy in May identified challenges, goals and anchor projects in key sectors in the region.
iLembe District Municipality Growth and Development Strategy 2008
The iLembe District Municipality has identified a range of challenges, goals and projects in key sectors in the region that, properly managed, could significantly boost local economic activity, reduce unemployment and generally raise the standard of living for the district's communities.
In the identified sectors, the following was identified at the GDS summit in May 2008:
Agriculture
Commercial agriculture such as sugar cane farming, along the coastal strip
Subsistence agriculture in the rural hinterland and inland areas
Manufacturing
Primary sector comprises of heavy industries such as sugar and paper mill production in the Isithebe Industrial Estate near Mandeni
Secondary sector activities include light industries
Tourism
Cultural and Heritage Tourism
Beach Tourism
Services
The informal sector
Wholesale and retail trade
Transport and storage
Communication
Financial and insurance sub-sectors
Real estate
Business, community, social and personal services
Government services
For a full review of the summit, including the challenges and goals identified for each sector, contact Mike Newton at iLembe DM on +27 32 437 9300 or email mike@ilembe.gov.za
Anchor projects in each sector:
Tourism
- Establishment of iLembe North Coast Tourism
- District interaction with upgrade/expansion of King Shaka Heritage
Route
Agriculture
- One-stop-shop to strengthen farmer support
- Nursery project – producing potted house plants or garden plants to supply landscapers
- Medicinal plant project (including some level of processing)
- Vegetable production (tunnel-based hydroponics)
Manufacturing
- Industrial incentives and marketing plan: Industrial estate development opportunities in the iLembe District will be identified and packaged, whereafter the implementation of development will be facilitated
- Development of a new Industrial Estate in iLembe: The development and marketing of incentive packages for attracting developers and industrialists to the iLembe District
- Establishing an industrial sector forum: A forum where local government can engage with industry around manufacturing related issues will be established
Services
- Commercial nodes
investment attraction: This was prioritised in the Growth and Development Summit. The guide directs investors to areas of interest in the respective municipalities. A focus should be directed to areas such as Mandeni, Ndwedwe and Maphumulo.
- Establish digital hubs and satellites: A digital hubs strategy was developed by KZN DED. As part of the strategy, DED is funding digital hubs in municipalities and iLembe has submitted an application through to DED
- Develop an informal economy plan: Informal economy activities are not co-ordinated throughout the district. District wide plans to co-ordinate regulation and management of the informal economy is necessary
For further information contact Mike Newton on +27 32 437 9300 or email mike@ilembe.gov.za
