Finding innovative ways to grow the economy of the uMzinyathi district municipality took centre stage when the district hosted its Growth and Development Summit with key stakeholders on 12 and 13 July at Ncome Museum near Dundee.
The summit brought together business, provincial government, state-owned entities and local municipalities to discuss important issues affecting the economy of this important district. Some of the key issues discussed included inclusive economic growth, human resource development within the district, and spatial equity and environmental sustainability.
The event was attended by KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Nomusa Dube-Ncube who addressed the summit on the important role municipalities need to play in order to realise sustainable economic growth at local level.
“We need our municipalities to find innovative ways to attract investors and platforms such as this summit allow for different stakeholders to engage on a variety of developmental issues impacting this specific district,” said Dube-Ncube.
The MEC also touched on the importance of municipalities ensuring that their infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water and sanitation is properly maintained so that they can attract investors.
“The potholes we see on our roads are a deterrent to investors because they paint a negative picture of municipalities in terms of governance and their ability to respond to issues. It is in the interest of our municipalities that we enforce by-laws and policies to better address challenges affecting ratepayers,” said Dube-Ncube.
The MEC after speaking at the Summit visited one of the landmark projects in the District that cost R120 million and will provide water to 3000 households in the the communities of Sibongile, Keats Drift and kwaJama eNtinini these communities are under the Msinga, Mvoti and Nquthu local Municipalities.
Ends.