ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

5 OCTOBER 2022

 

TO ACCELERATE development and service delivery in rural areas, eThekwini Municipality Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda has called for the strengthening of working relations between Amakhosi and elected Municipal councillors.

 

Kaunda was speaking at the eThekwini Workshop with Traditional Leadership on the development of the eThekwini Traditional Rural Spatial Framework and Draft Land Use Management Plan today, 5 October.  Mayor Kaunda said the outcomes of the day-long session will assist in facilitating development in rural communities and create awareness about land use management.

 

The workshop was attended by Amakhosi from different traditional councils across eThekwini, City leadership and senior government officials. It sought to engage Amakhosi and to seek permission from traditional councils to conduct research and land audits in areas under their jurisdiction. This will assist the City in developing traditional areas spatial plans and land use management plans.

 

“Collaboration is needed in many aspects of rural development because the pockets of land that are on the outskirts of the City belong to traditional councils.  Therefore, this meeting has paved the way for the management of remaining pockets of land in rural communities for development,” Mayor Kaunda said.

 

The Mayor further explained that the workshop is a step in the right direction to assist in the integration of spatial development plans and to allow development to be informed by proper planning processes.

 

“We also want to introduce the concept of human settlements to ensure that residents have access to basic services such as healthcare facilities, schools and economic activities. There should also be plans to put bulk infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water and sanitation,” he said.

 

Mayor Kaunda added that the Municipality will send teams to conduct land audits in all traditional councils so that the City can be in a better position to know how much space is available for development.  

 

Chairperson of the Local House of Traditional Leadership, Inkosi Simingaye Mlaba welcomed the initiative and committed Amakhosi to work with the Municipality to accelerate development in rural areas. 

 

ENDS

 

Issued by eThekwini Municipality Communications Unit. For more information, kindly contact Mayoral Spokesperson Mluleki Mntungwa on 060 974 1140.