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threat to the situational and local economic development ofthe study area since it depicts an
external political factor beyond the jurisdiction ofthe Ulundi Local Municipality.
Table 7.1: A summary ofthe strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of U1undi
in 2007
Strengths
I. Local and
international tourism
through the available
landscape and cultural
attributes.
2. Birth place ofZulu
nation.
3. Historical sites (e.g.,
the battlefield routes).
4. Wildlife and living
creatures (e.g.,
Emakhosini-Ophathe
development).
Weaknesses
I. Lack ofnecessary
entrepreneurial skills
to venture into
business opportunities.
2. Inadequate communication
structures
about government
supporting business
ventures.
3. High unemployment
and illiteracy levels.
4. Limited and poor
infrastructural
facilities.
5. Proximity with other
tourist attractions in the 5. Non-diversified
Zululand area (e.g., the I economy.
proposed Isibaya plan I
around the Enyokeni I 6. Chamber of
royal residence at commerce has not
KwaNongoma). been functional.
6. State ofthe art I 7. Limited purchase -
legislature building and ' power and market.
the Mangosuthu
Buthelezi airport. 8. Narrow industrial
! tax base.
7. Available large I
expanse ofland for I 9. Non-payment of
potential industrial, and I services rendered by
residential purposes. the municipalitv.
Source: Researcher's own compIlation - 2007
Opportunities
I. Agricultural cooperatives
to venture
into the If. business
concerns:
a) Aloe harvesting and
processmg.
b) Soya beans
cultivation.
c) Nguni cattle
farming.
2. Tour guides, tour
and hospitality
operators (e.g., B&B
operators) from the
community to take
advantage of the gaps
between tourism
related sites within
and beyond Ulundi.
3. Improved
accessibility as a
result of P700 and the
Airport.
4. The readiness ofthe
government to provide
financial and material
support subject to
credible business
plans.
,
Threats
I. Political
intolerance.
2. Extremely high and
discomforting summer
temperatures may
have negative effect
on human and
industrial
productivity.
3. Very dry climatic
conditions likely to
cause:
a) Potential serious
veld fires.
b) Acute water
shortages for domestic
and irrigation
purposes ofdrought
sensitive crops.
4. Situated far away
from the major
provincial industrial
zone (i.e., Durban­
Pinetown­
Pietermaritzburg
industrial zone).
5. Not having a
coastal location
With a non-diversified economy, it may be concluded that the relocation ofthe legislature has
had a negative impact on the employment profile and economic activities of Ulundi. A more
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