The Jozini Local Municipality is a Category B municipality situated in the western region of the uMkhanyakude District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa.
Overview
| Type of municipality: | Local Municipality (Category B) |
| MIIF classification: | B4 (mostly rural) |
| Province: | KwaZulu-Natal |
| District: | uMkhanyakude |
| Municipal code: | KZN272 |
| Seat: | Jozini |
| Number of wards: | 23 |
| Total area: | 3,442 km² (1,329 square miles) |
| Population: | 199,153 (in 2022) |
| Executive mayor: | Naye Mathe |
About
Jozini local municipality was established in 2000 in terms of the Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (Act No. 117 of 1998).
The Jozini Municipality is geographically located in the western region of the uMkhanyakude District Municipality in the northeastern part of KwaZulu-Natal Province.
The municipality can be easily accessed by road via the N2 National Route. For air travellers, charter flights are available to Mkuze Airport. Alternatively, air travellers may either fly to Richards Bay Airport which is approximately 150 kilometres away or King Shaka International Airport which is approximately 250 kilometres way.
The Jozini Local Municipality covers an area of 3,442 km² (1,329 square miles), making it the second-smallest of four local municipalities in the uMkhanyakude District, as it accounts for quarter of its geographical area.
The Jozini Local Municipality is bordered by:
- uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality to the east
- Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality to the south
- Nongoma and uPhongolo Local Municipalities in the Zululand District Municipality to the west
- The country of Eswatini to the west and northwest
- The Republic of Mozambique to the north
Jozini Local Municipality comprises 23 electoral wards that are made up of six semi-formalized towns (Bhambanana, Ingwavuma, Jozini, Mkhuze, Ndumo, and Ubombo) that are served well by the N2 National Route. The remaining parts of the municipality are characterized as being rural in nature under the jurisdiction of traditional authorities, this is where majority of the population resides.
The current state of land ownership in Jozini Local Municipality makes it difficult for the municipality to control development in areas under its jurisdiction.
A significant portion of Jozini Local Municipality falls under the ownership of Ingonyama Trust, some areas are privately owned by individuals whilst a small portion is owned by the State.
The administrative headquarters/municipal offices of Jozini Local Municipality are in Jozini town.
The town of Jozini is situated approximately 344 kilometres northeast of Durban, 489 kilometres southeast of Johannesburg, and 525 kilometres south of Crocodile Bridge Gate in the Kruger National Park and on the border with Eswatini and the Republic of Mozambique.
Jozini Local Municipality also hosts the uMkhanyakude District offices situated in Mkuze town. There is also a satellite office in Ingwavuma town.
The primary investment points of Jozini Local Municipality are Jozini and Mkhuze, the secondary investment points are at Ndumo, Ingwavuma, Bhambanana, and Ubombo and tertiary investment points are at Emabhanoyini, Ophansi, Makhonyeni, Makwakwa, and Manyiseni.
These investment points are seen as the existing and future growth points in the municipal area and serve as the basis for the clustering of activities and services such as community halls, shops, schools, etc.
Jozini Local Municipality has a comparative advantage in terms of its favorable location near the N2 National Route and its abundant natural features, which are potential tourism assets.
Tourism is prioritized as the major economic development opportunity in the municipality and its success is dependent on local community initiatives as well as the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
There is inherent potential for tourism in the many natural, cultural, and historical sites, among them :
- Dingaan’s Grave and Border Cave (Historical)
- Lebombo Mountains
- Mkuze and Ndumo Game Reserve
- Hlathikhulu Forest and Usuthu Gorge (Natural)
- Jozini Bridge as a man-made attraction
Jozini Local Municipality is renowned for its wildlife, namely the Big 5 and world-renowned birding areas, as well as adventure and Zulu Cultural offerings.
The municipality proudly borders the magnificent Jozini Dam and boasts the Lebombo Mountains and are surrounded by provincial game reserves.
The Lebombo Mountains and Makhatini Flats provide a diverse and beautiful terrain rich in local resources, including water features and fossil sites.
Both Ndumu and Mkuzi Game Reserves can be found straddling the borders of the Jozini Municipality.
Large portions of Jozini Local Municipality have been neglected in terms of economic development.
There is a great disparity between the level of infrastructure and service provision between settlement nodes, such as the towns of Jozini and Mkuze, and the surrounding rural areas.
Most of the rural area is associated with chronic poverty, poor service provision, and lack of development.
Population
According to the South African National Census of 2022, the Jozini Local Municipality has a population of 199,153 people, compared to 198,215 in 2016, and 186,502 in 2011.
The municipality has a population growth per annum of 0.64%.
According to the 2022 Census, 33.6% of the population is under the age of 15, 62.1% is between 15 and 64, and 4.3% is over 65.
Racial makeup
According to the 2022 Census, 99.2% of the population in the Jozini Local Municipality describe themselves as Black African, 0.3% as White, 0.2% as Indian/Asian, and 0.1% as Coloured.
Languages
According to the 2022 Census, 95.1% of the population speaks isiZulu as their first language, 1.2% speak English, 1.1% speak isiNdebele, and 2.6% speak other languages.
Economy
The main economic sectors of the Jozini Local Municipality are agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, financial services, wholesale and retail services.
Municipal council and management
The Jozini municipal council is comprised of 45 members elected by mixed-member proportional representation.
Twenty-three councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in 23 wards, while the remaining 22 are chosen from party lists so that the total number of party representatives is proportional to the number of votes received.
In the election of 1 November 2021, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) won a majority of 24 seats.
| Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party) | – IFP: 24 – ANC: 16 – EFF: 2 – INDEPENDENT: 2 – ACU: 1 |
| Controlling party | IFP |
| Executive Mayor | Naye Mathe |
| Deputy Executive Mayor | Ncamisile Rosemary Zulu |
| Speaker | Delani Phelemon Mabika |
| Chief Whip | Mbalekelwa Samuel Nkosi |
| Other Council Members | Nhlanhla Leonard Gumbi (Chairperson: MPAC) |
| Municipal Manager | Jaconia Agripa Mngomezulu |
| Chief Financial Officer | Vusi I Gumede |
| Senior Management | – Enock Mzwandile Dlamini (Executive Director: Corporate Services) – Xolani P Kunene (Executive Director: Technical Services) – Sabelo Mabaso (Manager: LED and Tourism Services) – Lungelo Boxer Mpontshane (Executive Director: Planning; Human Settlement and Economic Development Services) – Ntuthuko Musawenkosi Phakathi (Executive Director: Community Services) |
| Communications Officers | – Siyabonga Scelo Gumbi (Manager: Communications, IGR and Batho Pele Services) – Mndeni Malinga (IGR and Batho Pele Officer) |
Towns/places
Below are the towns/places in the Jozini Local Municipality.
- Mkhuze
- Jozini
- Ingwavuma
- Ubombo
- Bhambanana
- Ndumo
- Ophansi
- Manyiseni
- Makwakwa
- Emabhanoyini
- Bhekindoda
- Oshabeni
Contact details
The contact details of the Jozini Local Municipality are listed in the table below.
| Postal Address: | Private Bag X28, Jozini, 3969 |
| Physical Address: | Circle Street, Bottom Town, Jozini |
| Telephone: | 035 572 1292 |
| Fax: | 035 572 1266 |
| Email: | info@jozini.gov.za |
| Website: | www.jozini.gov.za |
