uMshwathi Municipality is situated within uMgungundlovu District Municipality immediately adjacent to Pietermaritzburg. uMshwathi comprises of four major urban centres (New Hanover, Wartburg, Dalton and Cool Air) as well as the rural residential settlements of Swayimane, Mpolweni, Thokozani and Ozwathini. uMshwathi covers an area of about 1 811 km².
Economic development opportunities at uMshwathi include the rehabilitation and development of the towns, middle and high-income housing projects as well as development of a road corridor linking the N2 and N3 by traversing the municipality.The importance of agriculture in uMshwathi cannot be overemphasized. Sugar cane is the predominant agricultural pursuit. Manufacturing activities are mainly related to agricultural processing activities, notably sugar and timber processing activities.read more »
The Mpofana Municipality is strategically located along the national N3 highway and is approximately 70 km from Pietermaritzburg. The Mooi River sits at the heart of the Midlands Meander with interesting attractions such as the Linen Loft and Sharrow Weaving. Stretches of the river offer boating facilities whilst the upper reaches are a fly fisherman's paradise. Further upstream, the Mooi River Falls are a marvellous site to watch when the river is flooded.
The predominant occupation in the area is agriculture, with a wide range of agricultural products being produced. Dairy and stock farming are, however, the main farming activities (uMgungundlovu District Municipality IDP 2012/13).read more »
Pietermaritzburg, the second largest city in KwaZulu-Natal, falls within the boundaries of Msunduzi municipality. The city is both the administrative and legislative capital of the province, which boosts investor confidence, resulting in the city's economy growing at an astounding rate. Pietermaritzburg is more than just a favourable investment destination; it is one of South Africa's most desirable residential cities with well-laid-out suburbs (uMgungundlovu District Municipality IDP 2012/13).read more »
Mkhambathini Local Municipality is located along the south-eastern boundary of the uMgungundlovu District Municipality and adjoins the Richmond and Msunduzi municipalities to the west, uMshwathi to the north and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality to the east.
The municipal offices are located in the town of Camperdown. Mkhambathini has several comparative advantages emanating from its location near Durban and Pietermaritzburg and adjoining Cato Ridge, which is an industrial node. The N3 runs east-west through the central part of the municipal area and that stretch of the highway has been identified in the Spatial Growth and Development Strategy as a Provincial Corridor (uMgungundlovu District Municipality IDP 2012/13).read more »
Richmond Municipality is situated south of Msunduzi, west of Mkhambathini and the Sisonke District in the south west. Richmond enjoys a competitive advantage in the field of agriculture that contributes to more than 50% of the gross geographic product and employment in the area. Historically, Richmond was one of the main destinations of the Bhambatha Rebellion and the Byrne Settlers. For tourists the local museum, the old court building and the prison are great attractions, while the Umkomaas River is a popular venue for white river rafting (uMgungundlovu District Municipality IDP 2012/13).read more »