Nkandla benefits from government's drive to boost rural economic development, create jobs

The handing over of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure’s (DPWI) Erf 199 in Nkandla, north of KwaZulu-Natal, marks a turning point for the department's properties located in rural areas. 

On Monday, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli officiated the handover of the previously unused, long dormant land to the Nkandla Local Municipality to support the development of a shopping centre that will create jobs and boost local economic activity.

“Today is not just a ceremonial handover. It is an important turning point for our department and how we work in rural municipalities to ensure that the land that we own is used for communities and by communities to grow their economy and to create jobs,” says Macpherson.

The initiative forms part of a national push to repurpose state-owned properties - particularly in underdeveloped areas - and transform them into public assets that can fuel economic activity.

"The department that I lead is no longer just a department of land and buildings. We are a department that wants to drive economic growth and turn properties and land to opportunities that turn our communities and our countries into a construction site.”  

The planned Nkandla shopping mall, Macpherson said, will provide a local hub for trade, employment and enterprise, while similar DPWI projects are already underway in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, where disused buildings are being converted into safe havens for abused women and children, and small business hubs.

“We are transforming farmland and houses into small business hubs and opportunities.These are not just gestures - they are purposed actions of turning dormant properties into assets that serve the public good. And so this property here in Nkandla, which currently has a broken building and grass all over the place, has been a lost potential for this municipality and the people," he said.

The initiative forms part of Minister Macpherson’s commitment to repurpose state-owned properties for the public good, ending the practice of leaving assets unused and decaying.

He said this property now belongs to the Municipality of Nkandla. “I know you will transform it into something good and meaningful.”

Macpherson reiterated that DPWI is more than just about bricks and leases. He said it is about being in the centre of the country’s economy not just in urban areas but also rural areas.

“Today is a first in rural South Africa. The government must not hang on and hoard the land for itself. We do not need it but it is the people that need it.  So we will go around the country to hand over land and buildings to communities who want to use it for their development and their growth.”  

“The Municipality of Nkandla is glad for this work to be started in such a manner,” says Nonhlanhla Nzuza, the mayor of Nkandla Municipality.

“We promise the community of Nkandla that soon the ground will be broken and the walls will be erected. That will make us happy because many young people in this area do not have jobs. This includes women and those living with disabilities.

"All these people will have a chance to participate in the construction of a shopping centre whose construction will commence soon,” Nzuza said.  

She said they wished to cooperate with the local community in the work that will take place. “We urge the local community to support us. We also ask the local community to join us in fighting crime which is taking place in this area so that such a good job will not be compromised.”

According to Nzuza, while the land is in Nkandla, it belongs to the DPWI. She said the town’s former Mayor, Thami Ntuli who is now the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, saw back in 2016 that the town needed to develop but encountered challenges with regards to acquiring the land.

She said several steps had to be undertaken to hand over the land to the Nkandla Municipality. She said changes in various government offices and those who occupied them did in a way contribute to delays. 

The Mayor committed that in two months, work would begin in earnest, as there was some work that would need to be done at the Deeds Office.

“After two months we will then turn the sod and launch the shopping centre construction.”

“Nkandla is one of the rural areas that lags behind when it comes to economic development and development in general,” says Thami Ntuli, the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal.

“The milestone achieved today is going to turn around the misfortune of the people of Nkandla. For their needs, they are no longer going to travel to faraway towns like Empangeni and others. They will have all they need when the development is complete.

"The intention of this handover is to develop a shopping mall,” Ntuli said.  

The Premier said as much as they know that there already is interest in developing this particular shopping mall, they were still inviting whoever is interested to come and participate. He added that the initiative will also deliver opportunities. 

Ntuli said they have audited all government properties in KZN with the intention of repurposing them and availing them for the people of the province who want to do business, such as for student accommodation, flats and the like. He said the government is in constant communication with the business sector of KZN for use for different purposes. 

“Even ourselves as a government - we are renting buildings and paying almost R400 million a year. There is a great need that we cut down on this expenditure, renovate some of the buildings and use them to save money. The saved money will then be channelled to service delivery,” Ntuli said.   

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