The Region

Umhlabuyalingana is one of four local municipalities comprising Umkhanyakude District in northern KwaZulu-Natal. It is bordered by Mozambique and Eswatini to the north and the Indian Ocean to the east. The municipal area covers approximately 3,621 km² and is deeply rural, with 60% of the land being tribal land.

The Need for Compassionate Investment

Between 71% and 84% of the population are below official South African poverty lines, with approximately 54% being below the official food poverty line. The area needs employment, food, education, training, infrastructure and hope.

Infrastructure Challenges

Water: The area is classed as at medium to high risk of drought. Most people rely on rainwater tanks, and many boreholes are out of use.

Electricity: Although 40% of houses have some access to electricity, supply is severely constrained and 80% of households rely on candles for lighting.

Sanitation: Only 3% have access to flushing toilets. 18% have no toilet facilities at all.

Communications: Reliant on cellular networks with patchy reception over much of the area.

The Opportunity

Despite these challenges, Umkhanyakude is classed as a Priority Area for development. The land is fertile and ripe for agricultural development. The municipality plans three trunk routes from the south and east up to the Mozambique border, providing a backbone of good roads.

Local Tribal authorities have made a large tract of 100,000 hectares of fertile land available for the Pentrosfa project. Soil samples have been analysed and the land is regarded as fertile and ready for agricultural development.