THE economic growth of the City of uMhlathuze is not being left to chance, but will be driven by a well-planned strategy.
City Mayor Mduduzi Mhlongo is establishing an advisory panel of industry experts to assist local government in stimulating the economy and address unemployment in the region.
A committee of eight accomplished leaders in the private sector will guide the municipality to remove barriers to targeted niche economic streams and fast-track developments.
According to the municipality’s strategy report served before the Corporate Services Portfolio Committee earlier this month, an ‘all-embracing road map’ is crucial to accelerate transformation and job creation, especially since the municipal population is expected to double by the year 2050.
‘The impact of such population increase on municipal services as well as other governmental services is very significant,’ said Mhlongo.
‘Given its strategic location, value proposition and comparative advantages, it thus becomes imperative for the City to be poised towards a growth phase.
‘The strategic intent of establishing a panel of experts is to assist the city with superior business technical skills aimed at stimulating the local economy on both macro and micro scales; addressing unemployment and poverty; and fostering economic growth by taking advantage of the new strategic investments propelled by the Richards Bay port expansion and Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ).‘
Key challenges facing uMhlathuze are low levels of skills, illiteracy, high levels of unemployment, poverty and crime, as well as limited access to basic household and community services, climate change and infrastructure degradation.
‘It is vital that there are downstream benefits for our citizens emanating from mega investments taking place,’ said Mhlongo.
‘The key sectors capable of driving growth include manufacturing, maritime, tourism, transport and logistics, retail, trade, property and beneficiation.
‘Importantly, the panel will have oversight of various strategies of the municipality and by doing so, integrate various value propositions and provide focused inputs, instead of a fragmented approach to economic development.
‘The panel will also include members nominated by the Executive Committee as well as additional ex-officio members from government and public entities to be invited as and when deemed necessary, such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Cogta, Tourism KZN, Transnet and SAMSA.’
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