iSimangaliso and Mtubatuba Municipality to strengthen relations
The partnership also aims to create job opportunities for locals through small business development initiatives
A THREE-DAY iSimangaliso Wetland Park exhibition, attended by Mtubatuba Municipality, sought to strengthen relations between the stakeholders and find ways to empower local communities.
Discussions focused on the alignment of programmes, and positioning the local economic development strategy with that of iSimangaliso.
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The partnership also aims to create job opportunities for locals through small business development initiatives.
In attendance from Mtubatuba Municipality were municipal manager Thamsanqa Xulu, Speaker Sbongile Shezi, Mayor Mxolisi Mthethwa and Deputy Mayor Nothile Mthethwa.
iSimangaliso spokesperson Bheki Manzini said, “The unemployment rate is at 42.8% and youth unemployment is 51.2%. There are 25.3% of people who have never attended an education facility, 25.4% of the population is doing matric, while 4.9% is in higher education.
“Through our socio-economic programmes like the Rural Enterprise Programme launched in 2008, we have supported 430 SMMEs with business skills, mentoring, and grant financing. The aim is to upscale this programme and make a dent in these statistics.”
Manzini said the park is requesting that the municipality assist SMMEs with faster operating licensing and designated zones for formal business; set up a tourism recovery fund, and partnering with iSimangaliso to create business opportunities.
“iSimangaliso has assisted 220 bursary recipients from uMkhanyakude District with funding to access higher education,” continued Manzini.
“These recipients also receive psycho-social support, as well as laptops, data, and a meal allowance to the tune of
R10 000 per student in this financial year.
“This programme was launched to solely benefit land claimants, but was expanded to include the residents of uMkhanyakude neighbouring the park.”
He explained that their drive was now to partner with the municipality in line with Inter-Governmental Co-operative Governance Framework, resulting in collaboration around Local Economic Development (LED) and the
Integrated Development Planning (IDP) alignment.
“Mtubatuba Municipality has responded positively to this initiative in that they have already outlined areas of alignment and co-operation between iSimangaliso. These plans auger well with Mtubatuba Municipality being the gateway town to this World Heritage Site,” he said.
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