KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
- Overview
- Contact
- Capital: Pietermaritzburg
- Major city: Durban
- Languages: 80.9% isiZulu, 17.6% English, 1.5% Afrikaans
- Population: 10,645,400 (2010)
- Share of SA population: 21.3%
- Area: 94,361 km²
- Share of total SA area: 7.7%
- Creation of more jobs, decent work and sustainable livelihoods for inclusive growth; Rural development, land reform and food security
- Improved quality basic education
- A long and healthy life for all South Africans
- Fighting crime and corruption
One of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, the garden province of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal is a subtropical region of lush and well-watered valleys washed by the warm Indian Ocean. Its western part is marked by the dramatic Drakensberg mountain range which has been awarded World Heritage status.
Durban is one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the world. Its harbour is the busiest in South Africa and one of the ten largest in the world. To the north of Durban is the port of Richards Bay, an important coal-export harbour. Combined, the two ports account for some 78 per cent of South Africa’s cargo tonnage.
Quick facts
Conservation
The Royal Natal National Park is home to more than 1,000 plant species, 12 species of antelope and three of the world’s seven crane species. Other reserves are Giant’s Castle and the Kamberg Nature Reserve. Some of South Africa’s best-protected indigenous coastal forests are found along the subtropical coastline of KwaZulu-Natal, such as Dukuduku and Kosi Bay. It is also along this coast that the magnificent iSimangaliso Wetland Park is found – along with the Drakensberg, one of KwaZulu-Natal’s two Unesco World Heritage sites.
Industry
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT) has over the years endeavoured to develop industry-oriented interventions to stimulate the local economy. These include various sector development programmes, Richards Bay industrial zones and other industrial stimuli. Furthermore, DEDT seeks to develop Industrial Economic Hubs as a means to drive industrial development thereby creating a globally sustainable and resilient regional economy in South Africa.
Richards Bay is the centre of operations for South Africa’s aluminium industry. Richards Bay Minerals is the largest sand-mining and mineral-processing operation in the world. Substantial progress has been made to the Dube Trade Port, and the ZAR7.9 billion King Shaka International Airport opened at La Mercy.
The vehicle-manufacturing industry has created a considerable multiplier effect in component- and service-providers. The automotive leather industry has grown rapidly, with exports significantly increasing foreign exchange earnings.
KwaZulu-Natal has also recently undergone rapid industrialisation. Industries are found at Newcastle, Ladysmith, Dundee, Richards Bay, Durban, Hammarsdale, Richmond, Pietermaritzburg and Mandeni. Good progress has been made to establish beneficiation plants at Newcastle and Colenso with the intent to develop at least five smelters at a cost of ZAR22 billion and with a potential to create 8000 permanent jobs. It is proposed to establish new power plants on each of these sites, primarily to generate electricity for own consumption, but with additional capacity that can be placed on the national grid.
Click here to read more about KwaZulu-Natal Catalytic Projects
Agriculture
Agriculture is one of the most critical aspects of fighting poverty and is embedded in the Provincial Growth and Development Plan. The fertility of the soil and comparatively good rainfall – more than 1000 mm a year – make agriculture central to the economy. The sugar-cane plantations along the Indian Ocean coastal belt are the mainstay of KwaZulu-Natal’s agriculture. The coastal belt is also a large producer of subtropical fruit, while the farmers in the hinterland concentrate on vegetable, dairy and stock farming. Another major source of income is forestry, in the areas around Vryheid, Eshowe, Richmond, Harding and Ngome.
Tourism
‘In addition to all tourism development projects that are being developed in our Province, we must not underestimate the potential related to sports and conference tourism, as well as the attendance of a number of signature events that are hosted in our Province. One of the most significant developments in this regard – is the decision to award Durban as a host for the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Our Province will be hosting one of the biggest gatherings of Heads of State and Government under the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation.’
‘The re-focussing of this programme to make it people-driven at ward level, continues to bear positive results and is becoming a beacon of excellence in government-and-community partnerships.’ Premier, Senzo Mchunu
Operation Sukuma Sakhe: a continuous interaction between Government and the community To achieve sustainable development in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, the provincial government has adopted an all-inclusive development approach to address poverty, unemployment and social inequity. The Operation Sukuma Sakhe approach demonstrates a concerted effort on the part of government and its partners to mobilise a collective drive towards social inclusion, poverty reduction and building lasting foundations for human growth, security and sustainable economic growth.
Commitment to 5 Key National Priorities
Consolidating progress
The Honourable Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Senzo Mchunu, is committed to creating an open, transparent and accessible administration in KwaZulu-Natal.
‘In line with government’s priorities we aim to end poverty in our lifetime by growing the economy, creating employment opportunities, deepening development that will position the Province as a preferred destination for tourism, trade and investment. They are about bringing dignity to the people of KwaZulu-Natal in line with deepening the programme of action anchored on the Freedom Charter, as we celebrate 60 years of the adoption of this important declaration for a free, democratic and non-racial South Africa.’
Enterprise development, employment creation and skills development are key to the Poverty Eradication Master Plan
Our Vision 2030 states that we want to be ‘a prosperous Province, with healthy, secure and skilled people, acting as a gateway to Africa and the world’ and our mission is to provide equitable access to quality education for the people of KwaZulu-Natal
In 2016, we will be hosting the World AIDS Conference that will bring over 20000 delegates and around 1500 international journalists. This is in recognition of our comprehensive programme in fighting HIV/AIDS, which has been applauded by the United Nations as one of the best interventions by government. The work we are doing in the Provincial AIDS Council with all our social partners in Civil Society and Business is laudable
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