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This study provides relevant and meaningful options for development that rural African
municipal areas are facing. The Ulundi municipality is the study area selected for this
research inquiry. The area is situated in the southern part of the Zululand District
Municipality (ZDM), bordered in the north by Abaqulusi and Nongoma local municipalities
(Both from the ZDM), and Umzinyathi District municipality in the west, Mkhanyakude
District municipality in the east and Uthungulu District municipality in the south. It is located
within the co-ordinates 28 0 00' OO"S, 31 0 00' OO"E (Figure 1.1).
Generally, communities residing in rural tribal areas experience extreme poverty and poorer
services than urban communities. Community upliftment through land use services, social
infrastructure development and empowerment programmes are needed in rural areas (Van Der
Merwe, 2002). On the basis ofthe Integrated Development Plan (lOP), this study establishes
the extent to which the landscape and cultural attributes ofthe Ulundi area have been tapped
to determine its developmental potentials to improve the quality of life and reduce
unemployment in the area. Given the low development potential of the Ulundi municipal
area, there is a challenge to explore development alternatives that incorporate regional
linkages with other municipalities like the Uthungulu District municipality (Figure 1.1). The
transition from government employment to private market-oriented development remains a
challenge in the area. Should it be the government, or partnerships between the private sector
and government and/or partnerships between different spheres of government and civil
organisations to forge relationships? Normally, the local community takes an active part in
the development ofarea, through the adoption ofthe local Integrated Development Plan.
In consonance with Section 5 ofthe Municipal Systems Act 32 of2000, the Ulundi Municipal
Council, like all other Municipal Councils in South Africa, is legally required to adopt an
Integrated Development Plan (lOP). The lOP forms the policy framework and general basis
upon which development ofresources and capacity building as well as annual budget must be
analysed and understood (Van Der Merwe, 2002). The Ulundi municipality plans to promote
sustainable growth and development, provide quality, affordable services, apply fiscal
discipline, ensure transparent integrating and accountable co-operative governance. recognise
and promote strong cultural heritage, and respect fundamental human rights (lOP. 2005) for
the Ulundi Local Municipality).
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