uMshwathi
15 June 2007
"We can't be a people who have a problem for every solution. We must have a
solution for every problem. We must make uMshwathi a centre of economic
activity. Growth and development must be accelerated here. The power is in our
hands."
These were the words of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Sibusiso Ndebele who
delivered the keynote address at an investor tour of uMshwathi Municipality in
the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands today (Friday 15 June 2007).
The delegation at the investor tour included the Mayor of uMshwathi,
Councillor BM Gwala, members of the council as well as stakeholders from
various organisations including First National Bank, Multi-net, Tourism and
Investment KwaZulu-Natal, Bridge City Development, Golden Homes and New Home
Investments.
"Now is the time to translate into action what we were talking about all
these years. KZN is on the move. The R6,2 billion King Shaka International
Airport at La Mercy is well on track. The R2,2 billion soccer stadium in Durban
is steadily progressing and is due to be completed by the end of June 2009. R10
million will be invested over 10 years to widen the mouth at the Durban
Harbour. Hundreds of millions of rands is being spent on the upgrading of major
transport corridors in the province," said Ndebele.
"By 2010 every household in KZN will have water within 200 metres as well as
proper sanitation. By 2012 every household in the province will have
electricity. The 2010 Soccer World Cup will also bring numerous benefits to the
province," Ndebele said.
"The importance of the agricultural belt in uMshwathi cannot be
overemphasised. Poverty in countries such as India and China is as a result of
inadequate land. Here in uMshwathi we have an abundance of land and we must
therefore encourage the people of this area to make use of this land to produce
enough food for themselves and then also to produce crops for sale at the
markets. What are we doing with the vast amounts of agricultural land that we
have?," Ndebele said.
uMshwathi is ideally situated within the uMgungundlovu District Municipality
immediately adjacent to Pietermaritzburg. uMshwathi comprises of four major
urban centres (New Hanover, Wartburg, Dalton, and Cool Air) as well as rural
residential settlements of Swayimane, Mpolweni, Thokozani and Ozwathini.
The uMshwathi Municipality has in the last two years identified a number of
lead projects aimed at turning around the economy of uMshwathi.
Amongst these projects are the rehabilitation and development of the towns
in the Municipality, middle to high-income housing projects as well as the
development of a road corridor linking the N2 and N3 and traversing uMshwathi
Municipality. The possibility of developing new economic nodes in the
Municipality is also being considered.
For further information please contact the Municipal Manager of uMshwathi
Municipality:
Mr MV Cebekhulu
Cell: 079 510 5705
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Premier's Spokesperson
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
Cell: 083 644 4050
E-mail: maistryl@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
15 June 2007
Source: SAPA
