Final Adopted IDP - KZN Development Planning

provides opportunities for development in the secondary sector should the possibility of
importing and exporting freight through this mode of transport be capitalised on.
The intersection of the R34 and R66 provides opportunities for the development of a
future node. This node could be developed as a modal interchange for tourists or visitors
to the area. The development of tourist facilities such as restaurants, curio shops and
information services could stimulate the tourism industry of the area. The upgrading of
the P700 route to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park and Richards Bay presents further
opportunities for tourism development, as it will provide a shorter and more direct link
to this Park from Mpumalanga and Gauteng. This would channel visitors via the Municipal
area to the Park, stimulating growth in the tourism sector.
Ulundi town is the only urbanised area within the Municipality and the focus of all
economic activity. It is surrounded by a number of large, densely populated tribal areas
characterised by informal settlement patterns. These areas are completely reliant on
Ulundi for employment, goods and services. In terms of population density,
concentration and service demands, large sections of these tribal areas can be classified
as emerging urban settlements. The urban area therefore has a large peripheral
dependency, with large population concentrations located outside the formal urban area.
There is a lack of structure, no clear hierarchy of nodes and complex movement
patterns.
Ulundi town plays an important provincial role, as it is the secondary administrative hub
of the Province, serving the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg is the
administrative capital of KwaZulu-Natal). Most of its job opportunities are therefore in
the public sector. Ulundi is however still establishing itself as a centre of investment for
private sector secondary and tertiary activities. Development through IDP projects and
initiatives will stimulate growth in the economy. One of the reasons for the retarded
development in the economy is the land tenure system of the Tribal Authorities, which
does not create investor confidence. Land release opportunities will lead to increased
confidence by investors.
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