As a means to address the three challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality in the district, uThukela District Municipality has launched and inaugurated the District Economic Development Agency on Saturday, July 15 at the Royal Hotel.
The event was graced by the presence of the MEC for CoGTA, uThukela District and local municipalities’ leadership, Amakhosi and the business fraternity.
The uThukela Economic Development Agency will play a leadership role in unlocking the economic potential of the District through the identification, facilitation and implementation of catalytic and strategic projects in an effort to create job opportunities and to achieve real economic growth in an ever changing global environment.
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It also seeks to bridge the disconnection between areas that have, over time, come to be known as economic centres and those that remain largely neglected strips with little or no economic activity.
Messages of support were received from local Mayors of Alfred Duma, Okhahlamba and Inkosi Langalibalele whereby they all pledged their commitments to making the agency achieve its goal of diversifying economic development in the district.
In his input, uThukela District Mayor Cllr AS Mazibuko, focused on three tasks that were given during the Munimec to implement. These tasks have been executed with great success.
“The first task was to launch the District Development Agency, the second was to finalize the establishment of a Disaster Centre, of which phase one is now complete and last was the establishment of the Agri Park. We are proud to say we have met all those targets and are now awaiting for Province to give us the go-ahead. We have a responsibility to identify other projects like the Cable Car at the Drakensberg where work is in progress,” said Cllr Mazibuko.
Delivering her keynote address, the MEC for CoGTA Nomsa Dube-Ncube told the audience that the primary role of the uThukela Economic Development Agency is to stimulate and enhance the district economic growth.
She said this was pertinent and central to drive the economy in the Province. “The launch is aimed at ensuring that the agency develops the structure to support economic growth. For our Province and country to become a winning nation, all of us need to put a shoulder to the wheel,” said the MEC.
The MEC, said the District Development Agencies are envisioned to stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities. “We expect the agency to add value to local municipalities. Our district economic overview needs to be looked at. We also need to look at other modes to stimulate our economy. This agency must inspire us to get people out of poverty,” the MEC concluded.
The agency will further assist municipalities in developing new funding instruments for local economic development by identifying and promoting worthwhile and feasible projects.
Such projects will then be carefully monitored and evaluated in terms of their contribution to sustainable and holistic local economic development. It will also play a catalytic role in building the economic capacity of the district and improve economic future.
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