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spatial or non-spatial. All of us use different resources on a daily basis. Natural resource
endowment is not a sine qua non for development. Developed human resources are. Natural
resources range from trees, minerals, soil and water. However, for the purposes ofthis study
emphasis is placed on water resources, areas of environmental value, environmental systems
and linkages, environmental hazards, land use and environmental management as well as land
tenure. In view ofthe above assertion, this survey seeks to examine the level ofknowledge of
respondents about the availability and value of the natural resources in the Ulundi Local
Municipality environment.
In this study the natural environmental resources are important, mainly because they may be
regarded as one ofthe major tourist attractions and leisure facilities worthy ofconsideration in
planning and management of recreation in the area. Current behaviour patterns of local
recreators and communities in the north-coastal region of KwaZulu-Natal reflect a lack lustre
attitude when it comes to the actual conservation of these natural recreation resources (Magi,
1986, 1989a, 1989b; Fuggle, and Rabie, 1998; Mwandla, 2(02). With this scenario in mind,
the study therefore hopes to investigate the need for coordinated efforts among all
stakeholders, planners, managers and community leaders towards achieving a workable
situational and local economic development initiatives in Ulundi based on natural resources.
5.6.1 Water resources
There are three main catchments: the Upongola in the north, the Mkhuze in the centre. and the
Mfolozi in the south. The District is bounded by the UUpongola River in the north, the
Mhlathuze in the south, and the Black Mfolozi. the White Mfolozi and the Mkhuze rivers in
the centre (Figure 5.).
These rivers are fed by many smaller rivers, streams and springs. and it is from these that the
rural communities obtain their water in a purified or unpurified fonn. No less than 82% of
the rural population depends on natural sources (rivers, streams, boreholes and springs) for
their water supply. Thus, while there are abundant water resources in Zululand, the supply of
infrastructure (pumps and reticulation) and electrical power (to get the water from where it
flows to where it is needed in the scattered settlements) is inadequate (IDP-Zululand District
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