KWADUKUZA INTEGRATED HUMAN SETTLEMENT DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2007 - 2012 14 Chief Albert Luthuli Street, KwaDukuza 4450, P.O. Box 72 KwaDukuza 4450 Tel: 032 437 5000: Fax: 032 5514513 Website: www.kwadukuza.gov.za - 1 - 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The provision of houses to the people of KwaDukuza is one of the core functions of KwaDukuza Municipality. It is against this background that the KwaDukuza Municipality has established a fully fledged Human Settlement Sub- Directorate whose function involves the creation of an enabling environment for the delivery of housing opportunities, involving facilitation, development of housing settlements, using different subsidy programmes, community empowerment and consultation programs. 1.2. The Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 requires all municipalities to compile Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) that will guide all their planning, budgeting and management decisions. Apart from the legislative requirement to compile IDPs, municipalities are also expected to compile sector plans, which should form part of the IDPs. The following are examples of national legal requirements that demand municipalities to formulate sector plans: Water Services Development Plan (WSDP): Department of Water Affairs and Forestry Integrated Waste Management Plan (WMP): Department of Water Affairs and Forestry Integrated Transport Plan (ITP): Department of Transport Land Development Objectives (LDOs): Department Land Affairs and Spatial Development Framework (SDF): Department of Provincial Affairs and Local Government 1.3.In addition to these municipalities are also required to incorporate into their planning frameworks; Housing Strategies and Targets, Local Economic Development Plans, Integrated Energy Plans and Integrated Infrastructure Plans. They also are expected to comply with guiding principles of National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), Environmental Implementation Plans (EIPs) and the Development Facilitation Act (DFA). 1.4.The Housing Act (No. 107 of 1997) informs the compilation of housing plans. Part IV of the Act specifically requires municipalities to compile housing strategies and targets, as part of their IDPs. The KwaDukuza Integrated Human Settlement Programme is being developed within the context of these legal provisions. It will form part of the KwaDukuza IDP once completed. 1.5.This Human Settlement Plan is intend to be, a guiding document that will help the municipality achieve the objective of providing sustainable housing for its residents. Through this housing plan, the municipality will also be able to stimulate the local economy, create an environment for local job creation, and address the needs of its residents. Planned housing projects will also ensure that integration happens between housing and other service provision such as infrastructure development; roads, transport, health, education and security. - 2 - 1.6. In compliance with the national housing goals as well in line with the national government policies, KwaDukuza Municipality is in a process of making a shift from providing houses through a traditional housing function of merely providing a shelter to an integrated human settlement programme. Through this programme, KwaDukuza Municipality, wants to make sure that within the human settlement, all amenities are provided for projects, it also provides other opportunities for instance, education, sports etc. It is the intention of KwaDukuza Municipality to build communities that are vibrant, lively and free from crime. 1.7. The human settlement’s vision is also based on the KwaDukuza Vision of 2015, which aims to establish KwaDukuza as an economic powerhouse where sustainable and affordable services are delivered. We understand that the slum conditions do not attract investors but scares and chases; hence, we are engaged in this vigorous integrated human settlement programme. It is our intention to review and fine-tune our human settlement strategy on an annual basis so that it becomes relevant to current human settlement challenges. 1.8. KwaDukuza Municipality Integrated Human Settlement Strategy is based on Section 1 (vi) of the National Housing Act. This Act stipulates that the implementers of national housing policy must ensure the “establishment and maintenance of habitable, stable and sustainable public and private residential environments to ensure viable households and communities, areas allowing convenient access to economic opportunities and to health, educational and social amenities”. 1.9. This section further stipulates the abovementioned opportunities must culminate in an environment in which all citizens and permanent residents, have on progressive basis have access to: a. Permanent residential structures with secure tenure, ensuring internal and external privacy and providing adequate protection against the elements and b. Potable water, adequate sanitary facilities and sustainable energy supply. 1.10. Integrated human settlement means that people must have access to all services within the area that they have settled in. Through the Integrated Human Settlement Strategy, KwaDukuza also acknowledges the fact that because of the high unemployment and relatively low average wage levels, people cannot provide their own housing needs. It is against this background that KwaDukuza Municipality continues to facilitate and co-ordinate an environment that is conducive for all people to have access to subsidized housing. - 3 - 2 BACKGROUND 2.1. KwaDukuza Municipal area of jurisdiction is circa 630 km2 in extent. It has a permanent population of approximately 210 000 which during peak holiday seasons, increases to over 260 000. KwaDukuza area of jurisdiction stretches from the Zinkwazi River in the north to the uThongathi River in the South. It borders four Municipalities, viz, Municipalities of eThekwini, Ndwedwe, Maphumulo and eMandini. It is one of the four municipalities that make up Ilembe District Municipality. KwaDukuza is the district node and dominant commercial centre in the Ilembe District. 2.2.KwaDukuza Municipal area clearly stands out as the growth centre for the region, with the highest population growth over the last 6 years, the highest number of households in the region, the highest population densities and urbanisation ratio’s, and the lowest household size in the district with only 3.8 persons per household. KwaDukuza Municipality population has grown with 13.5% over the last 5 years. 2.3.According to Urban Econ (2007) it is in fact envisaged that the area will within the next decade be developed in a major urban area that would rival cities such as Pietermaritzburg, East London, Kimberley and even Bloemfontein in size. This growth rate equates to 2.7% per annum. At the current household size this growth rate equates to 1280 new households that settles in the area annually. For the planning period of 5 years till 2012, a total of 6400 new households (24 320 people) will settle in KwaDukuza alone. As a matter of fact in a recent speech the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal said that “you are involved in the development of a new metro pole in KwaZulu-Natal”. 2.4. The key feature of KwaDukuza is the Ethekweni, ILembe, Umhlathuze Development Corridor. (N2 Corridor). KwaDukuza is also strategically located between two major ports, viz, Durban and Richards Bay Ports. It is situated 15km from the new King Shaka Airport which includes the Dube Trade port. This alone gives KwaDukuza an advantage of strategically re -aligning the district into a competitive and attractive investment destination. 2.5. The name KwaDukuza epitomizes the historical background of the area being the home to King Shaka Gravesite and Memorial. The town KwaDukuza is built on the original site of King Shaka’s Royal settlement called Dukuza. The KwaDukuza museum is situated opposite the site of King Shaka Memorial and is dedicated to the sugar industry and colonialism, the cultural heritage of the early settlers of the town Stanger. 2.6. The population dynamics of KwaDukuza Municipality is highly diverse due its multi-racial composition and rich settlement history. KwaDukuza has a distinct eastern flavour and is linked to the earlier settlement of Indian - 4 - families who were imported to work on the sugar cane farms of the big sugar barons such as Sir Liege Hullet. 2.7. The King Shaka Cultural Heritage Tourism Trail is in process of being implemented in KwaDukuza in honour of the heritage that King Shaka left behind. This project is also known as the “Gateway to the Zulu Kingdom” of KwaZulu- Natal. 2.8 KwaDukuza also boasts to be the home of the first African to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Chief Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli. During the month of August 2004, South African from all occupations joined the people of KwaDukuza in celebrating the life and times of this Son of Groutville. KwaDukuza tourism has also been boosted by the declaration of Chief Albert Luthuli’s House as a National Monument. Coupled with this was the restoration of Chief Luthuli’s Grave as well as the renovation of Church in which Chief Albert Luthuli’s body laid in state. On 4th of November 2007, the President of Republic of South Africa Mr. T.Mbeki and his cabinet joined thousand of people from KZN and kwaDukuza in celebrating the life of Chief Albert Luthuli on the 40th Anniversary of his death. 2.9. Investment opportunities range from the tourism sector, light industry, communications and IT, transport and specifically agriculture in the form of sub-tropical fruits, vegetables, sugarcane