uMshwathi

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 »

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uMngeni

uMngeni Municipality pursues the creation of an enabling environment for investment opportunities, and the marketing of the municipality to domestic and international investors. A significant percentage of the high-potential agricultural land in the Midlands Meander falls within uMngeni Municipality. This provides an opportunity for agricultural sector growth. The forestry industry will be transformed through the establishment of community private partnerships. Small scale forestry opportunities will be created. The municipality seeks to build on the already successful tourism industry by promoting job creation in tourism, a safe and secure environment, and marketing the area as tourism destination (uMgungundlovu District Municipality IDP 2012/13).read more »

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Mpofana

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 »

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Umtshezi

uMtshezi Local Municipality is an administrative area in the Uthukela District of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. uMtshezi is an isiZulu word for Bushman or San. uMtshezi Local Municipality comprises parts of the Magisterial Districts of Weenen and Estcourt, the informal settlements of Cornfields, Thembalihle, Mimosadale, and numerous settlements around Weenen. Estcourt is the largest commercial centre in the Midlands region, and an important service centre for the nearby towns of Mooi River, Winterton, Bergville, Colenso and Weenen. Weenen is a small agricultural town that is starting to emerge as a tourist destination. The majority of the people in the municipality are concentrated in urban areas and in farming areas but there are a few patches of high-density settlements within the informal areas. (Source: www.kzncogta.gov.za)read more »

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Msinga

Located in the Umzinyathi District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, Msinga Local Municipality comprises a rural-based subsistence economy with cultural heritage areas that attract some tourists, but that still need to be substantially developed. Owing to its rugged terrain, Msinga’s population is relatively dispersed. Where services exist, they are concentrated along road infrastructure and water sources such as the Tugela River. The municipality is predominantly rural, with 99,1% of the population living in non-urban areas. The small urban town of Pomeroy is home to only 0,9% of the municipality’s population.read more »

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