KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
iLembe District Municipality
Sector
Agriculture & Agri-processing
Manufacturing
Retail
Manufacturing
Isithebe Industrial Park
The decentralised Isithebe Industrial Park is one of the largest industrial estates in KwaZulu-Natal. It serves as a focal point for investment in the clothing and textile sub-sector, and encompasses a wide range of businesses, including printing and publishing, paper, plastics and packaging, metal products, chemicals and oils.
Dube Trade Port and King Shaka International Airport
The recent development surrounding The Dube Trade Port in the King Shaka International Airport on the immediate southern boundary o the Ilembe District, has created immense opportunities for growth and stimulation of economic initiatives in iLembe. These initiatives include a small, regional airport; industrial estates within Ndwedwe Municipality; a King Shaka tourism route; and a regional
museum.
Retail services
Rapid growth, and an influx of low- and high-income groups in the region, is creating exciting new opportunities and markets in retail. Developments such as the Zimbali and Simbithi estates go to show the potential in the region for high-end entertainment and retail. Opportunities also exist for 'strip' malls in regions such as Maphumulo and Ndwedwe, anchored by low-cost and budget stores.
Agriculture
iLembe supports a wide range of agriculture from sugar cane and exotic trees along the coast to hinterland veld, coast thornveld and valley bushveld further inland. Outside of the existing commercial farmland there are substantial areas of agricultural potential. Projects currently underway include fibre crops, sesame seeds, mushrooms, traditional medicines, lemon grass and various organic vegetables.
For more information on these and other sectors, and the specific investment opportunities within each contact Mike Newton at iLembe DM on +27 32 437 9512 or email mike.newton@ilembe.gov.za
