uMkhanyakude District Municipality

The uMkhanyakude District Municipality is a Category C municipality located along the coast in the far north of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.

uMkhanyakude District Municipality

Type of municipality:District (Category C)
Province:KwaZulu-Natal
Municipal code:DC27
Seat:Mkuze
Local municipalities:4
Total area:13,855 km² (5,349 square miles)
Population:738,437 (in 2022)
Executive mayor:Siphile Mdaka

About

The uMkhanyakude District Municipality is located in the far northern region of KwaZulu-Natal and its headquarters/seat is Mkuze.

‘uMkhanyakude’ refers to the Acacia Xanthophloea fever tree and means ‘that shows light from afar’. The name reflects both the uniqueness of its people and their hospitality, as well as the biodiversity and conservation history that the region is very proud of.

It is a very rural district covering an area of 13,855 km² (5,349 square miles), making it the second-largest District in KwaZulu-Natal, behind its neighbouring Zululand District Municipality.

The district is divided into four local municipalities namely;

  1. Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality
  2. Jozini Local Municipality
  3. Mtubatuba Local Municipality
  4. uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality

The uMkhanyakude District Municipality is bordered by the Republic of Mozambique to the north, Eswatini to the northwest, Zululand District Municipality to the west, King Cetshwayo District Municipality to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the east.

The uMkhanyakude District is home to the World Heritage Site, iSimangaliso Wetland Park (previously known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park), which encompasses the entire coastline of more than 200 km.

The District extends from St Lucia in the south to Kosi Bay in the north, and across to the Lebombo Mountains in the west.

Most of the land in this rural district is under thickets, grasslands, and wetlands, while the remaining areas are cultivated land and settlements.

The uMkhanyakude District is strategically linked to the provincial markets of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the neighbouring market of Eswatini via the N2 route that runs through the district. This strengthens the district as it provides opportunities for growth and economic stimulation in the economy.

The uMkhanyakude District Municipality is a poverty-stricken district and one of the two most deprived in South Africa, in terms of high unemployment rates, access to electricity and piped water, female-headed households with high numbers of children, and low education levels.

Map

A map of uMkhanyakude District Municipality with its four Local Municipalities
A map of uMkhanyakude District Municipality with its four Local Municipalities.

Population

According to the South African National Census of 2022, the uMkhanyakude District Municipality has a population of 738,437 residents, compared to 689,090 in 2016, and 625,846 in 2011.

The municipality has a population growth per annum of 1.61%.

According to the 2022 Census, 33.5% of the population is under the age of 15, 61.6% is between 15 and 64, and 4.9% is over 65.

Racial makeup

According to the 2022 Census, 98.8% of the population in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality describe themselves as Black African, 0.7% as White, 0.2% as Indian/Asian, and 0.2% as Coloured.

Languages

According to the 2022 Census, 94.6% of the population speaks isiZulu as their first language, 1.7% speak English, 1.2% speak isiNdebele, and 2.5% speak other languages.

Economy

The main economic sectors of uMkhanyakude District Municipality are; agriculture, trade, and tourism.

District council and management

The municipality was placed under S139 administration, effective from January 2021.

Composition of Council (No. of seats by political party)IFP: 7
ANC: 6
EFF: 1
Executive MayorSiphile Mdaka
Deputy Executive MayorT Sibiya
SpeakerSolomon Mkhombo
Chief Whip– S Khumalo
– MS Ngcobo
Other Council Members– VM Gumede
– GP Moodley
AdministratorBamba Ndwandwe
Municipal ManagerWM Nxumalo (Acting)
Chief Financial Officern/a
Senior Management– PN Mazibuko (General Manager: Community, Planning and Economic Development Services)
– NM Mthembu (General Manager: Corporate Services)
Communications OfficersBM Dlamini (Manager: Communications)

Main towns

The largest town in uMkhanyakude District Municipality is Mtubatuba in the south. Below is a list of the major towns found in the district.

  • Hlabisa
  • Hluhluwe
  • Ingwavuma
  • Jozini
  • kwaNgwanase
  • Mbazwana
  • Mkuze
  • Mtubatuba
  • St Lucia

Contact details

Contact details of the uMkhanyakude District Municipality are listed in the table below.

Postal address:PO Box 449, Mkuze, 3965
Physical address:Harlingen No. 13433, Kingfisher Road, Mkuze
Telephone:035 573 8600
Fax:035 573 1094
Email:communications@ukdm.gov.za
Website:www.ukdm.gov.za
Police:035 573 1088/1080 or 10111
Clinic:035 573 1082
Fire department:035 573 1080
Ambulance – EMRS:035 573 9200