Mandeni business needs roads, water

Mandeni Municipality is reaching out to local businesses in efforts to restore the town to it former glory of being one of the country’s economic hubs.
During the three day summit held at La Montagne holiday resort from Wednesday, the municipality, led by mayor Sphesishle Zulu, opened the floor to companies, such as Sappi, to air their views on what infrastructure they needed from the government for their businesses.
Zulu said it would be naïve of them to think they were going to provide the required infrastructure needed by businesses if they did not consult with the affected businesses.
“We know more needs to be done and we are here to find out what it is. We have invited people from relevant provincial departments such as the planning commission, transport and economic department so that they can get a clear picture of what needs to be done for Mandeni to grow,” said Zulu.
Portfolio manager of Isithebe Industrial Estate and Ilembe Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, Keith Palmer said for Mandeni to attract investors it was important for the municipality to collaborate with all the role players in business.
Zulu said they were going to start upgrading some of the roads and construction of a new road along Tugela mouth will begin soon because businesses raised the problem of roads as the main issue.
“Another one of our problems is water shortages and Ilembe needs to prioritise our bulk water supply because investors have expressed interest in building a private hospital and a resort in the area,” said Zulu.
General manager Louis Kruyshaar and HR coastal hub manager Danie Kolver represented Sappi Tugela Mill at the summit. The company remains one of the largest employers in the area.
“Sappi’s infrastructure injection of almost R12 million into the establishment of the Jackalberry Estate was born out of the 2012 Mandeni summit meeting,” said Kruyshaar.
In last week’s meeting Sappi presented the project’s progress and their contribution to providing bulk water supply services to Mandeni and to make land available for the Umgeni Water Project.