Swaziland February 2006 |
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| Municipalities to sign twinning agreement, (Swazi Observer, 2006-02-20):-The Manzini City Council and uThungulu District Municipality of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, will soon sign a twinning Agreement. The South African municipality will be represented by Councillor B.V Mthethwa while, Mayor Owen Nxumalo, will stand in for this country's municipality during the signing ceremony. According to a statement sent to The Swazi Observer, the parties will agree on the following: Strengthening of friendly relations and cooperation whose purpose is better knowledge among citizens of the two municipalities; Exchange of experience and knowledge on the levels of local government administration, including training and skills development; Exchange of knowledge and facilitation of relationships with relevant stakeholders with regard to agriculture extension and establishment of cooperatives; Development of cooperation on the levels of arts, information technology, tourism, culture, sports and reviving the African Humanism (ubuntu); both parties will encourage cooperation at levels beyond municipal administration in terms of promoting relationships between the business sector and civic organisations in the two cities; Each party commits itself not to divulge any confidential information received from either party without a written consent from the other; The agreement is subject to the constitutional procedures and prevailing laws of the respective countries; The agreement shall come into effect on the date of signature by both parties and remain in force for an indefinite period unless terminated by both parties on mutual consent, subject to the other party giving six months written notice; In the event the agreement is terminated, the works in progress shall continue to be governed by the terms and conditions of the agreement; The statement says it is the umbrella body for six local municipalities in the UThungulu region, which stretches from Gingindlovu in the south, to Kwambonambi in the north and inland to Nkandla. The six municipalities are: KwaMbonambi, Mhlathuze, Ntambanana, Umlalazi, Mthonjaneni, Nkandla. UThungulu has the third highest population in the province (762 791) after the Durban Metropolitan Council and the uMgungundlovu District Municipality. Significant economic centres in the district are Richards Bay and Empangeni. The harbour facilities at Richards Bay (the largest deep water port in southern Africa) are world-class and there is tremendous potential for further expansion. This has been the prime attraction for large-scale industrialisation in the district which has resulted in Richards Bay becoming the fastest growing urban centre in South Africa. Manufacturing is the largest contributor to the economy of the district, followed by the transport sector and agriculture. The most important agricultural sectors are sugarcane and timber. Tourism is a significant income provider and has the potential to become even more so into the future. This is largely due to the fact that the uThungulu region is home to the great Zulu nation with it's history and culture. There is a growing demand which is creating the much-needed jobs. Other attractions to foreign and domestic tourists are game parks, the St. Lucia Wetlands (a world heritage site) and the warn Indian Ocean coastline. The municipality has an important role to play towards bringing investment into the region and uplifting rural areas for which it is responsible by providing basic services such as water and sanitation. Although the municipality's primary aim is to provide municipal infrastructure and services, it is also very serious about kick-starting and facilitating economic development in the region. For that reason, it pursues partnerships with the private sector to provide equitable and sustainable services. It also relies on good relations with the local business community which funds it's sustainable development through payment of monthly levies. | |
South African Migration Project (SAMP) - Queen's University - http://www.queensu.ca/samp |