Nongoma is situated in the north of the KwaZulu-Natal Province (KZN) and forms 2,184 km2 of the total KZN area of 92,417km2. It is the largest populated municipality in Zululand and the second largest in terms of its area. It is one of the five local municipalities of the Zululand District Municipality and had three Tribal Authorities, namely Mandlakazi, Usuthu and Matheni. The area is made up of 19 wards, with 38 councillors. Located in the east of the Zululand District Municipality the municipality has two secondary corridors, which run from Ulundi to Pongola and from Hlabisa to Vryheid.
The Municipality’s Priority Issues are as follows:
- Poverty Alleviation;
- Addressing the impact of HIV/ AIDS;
- Youth Development;
- Local Economic Development (LED);
- Good Governance;
- Financial Viability;
- Capacity Building;
- Infrastructure Service delivery;
- Land Use and Housing Development; and
- Public Safety and Security
Urban Econ (2009) indicates that, over the past few years, it has become apparent that Nongoma town itself has experienced population outflow. From 1996 to 2007 the average annual population growth, or rather, decrease has been -2.97%. Nongoma as a local municipality has in contrast experienced very stable, positive population growth with an annual average growth rate of 1.31%. It is noted that this percentage is very slightly lower than the district and provincial figures, indicating that the population within this municipal area has grown at a rate considered “normal‟ for its geographical area. As is apparent, the population growth trend of Nongoma is in line with the district and provincial trends.
“As the Nongoma Municipality councillors, we have a passion for Excellence. We strive to anticipate, meet, and exceed the needs of our Community and stakeholders. The Municipality recognizes that it is the Batho Pele (People First) that makes things happen, and the Council would strive to work towards others´ growth and development. It will also always strive for relevance, finding solutions to real needs, and making a difference.
The Council believes that the Nongoma Municipality has the capacity to contribute to economic growth, development, and activity and to positively touch the lives of its entire people.
These values are thus to re- formulate the Nongoma Local Municipality to modify the way it does service delivery. We believe that the actual actions to achieve this will result in total formulation of the development strategy”.
