Mkhambathini Local Municipality
Mkhambathini (English Mkhambathini Local Municipality ) is a town in South Africa's District uMgungundlovu in the province of KwaZulu -Natal. The administrative center of the municipality is located in Camperdown. Thobekile Maphumulo is the mayor. The IFP represents the majority in the City Council.
The community was named after the Mkhambathini Table Mountain. The name of the mountain derives from Zulubegriff eMkhambathini for, place of acacias ' from. 2007, the municipality had 46 570 inhabitants according to projections. It covers an area of 915 square kilometers.
Geography
Mkhambathini is the second smallest village in the district. It is located in the southeast of uMgungundlovu. In the West Mkhambathini adjoins Richmond and Msunduzi, on the north by uMshwathi and on the east by eThekwini. The most important places in the community are Camperdown, Umlaas Road, Table Mountain and Eston.
Over half of the municipal territory consists of natural forest, overgrown with bushes or scrubland.
Economy
Mkhambathini is economically and demographically the fastest growing municipality in the district. The proximity to Pietermaritzburg and Durban bring the community many strategic advantages. However, the high illiteracy and the resulting unemployment is an economic disadvantage.
Agriculture
The structure of agriculture in Mkhambathini goes back to the time of apartheid. Thus, commercial farming is operated only in well-developed center of the community. The rural areas and especially the Traditional Authority areas - remain on the sidelines. In Mkhambathini sugar cane is mainly grown and operated poultry.
Manufacturing industry
The manufacturing industry has almost exclusively Camperdown and Eston - settled - because the local sugar factory Eston Sugar Mill. However, there are mainly agricultural products of the municipality, sugar and poultry meat, processed further. The main companies are Rainbow Chickens and Illovo Sugar.
Tourism
The tourism industry in Mkhambithi has two pillars: the eco - and agro- tourism. Again, the problem is that most companies focus on the center, while the potential of rural areas is not used. Since 2008, the establishment of the Mkhambathini Game Reserve is planned. The nature park is to be 110 square kilometers. The proposed site is located northeast of the national road N3 between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.
Attractions
- Mkhambathini Table Mountain
- Valley of Thousand Hills
- Mnsinsi Game Reserve
- Nagle Dam