The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ugu South welcomes with deep appreciation the announcement by Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, regarding the transfer of management for fifteen properties along the South Coast to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works & Infrastructure.
The Minister was accompanied by KZN MEC, Martin Meyer to mark this new chapter for the struggling business sector in the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality.
For far too long, local entrepreneurs, tourism operators and workers have suffered under unstable leasing arrangements. This has brought administrative uncertainty and the loss of investment confidence. The termination of the 2016 management agreement with the municipality and the direct involvement of the provincial department now provide a much-needed foundation for transparency, accountability, and sustainable development.
The South Coast remains one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most valuable tourism and investment corridors. This coastline holds immense potential to generate employment, attract visitors and restore dignity to communities that have borne the brunt of economic stagnation and natural disasters. The restoration of proper lease management and the assurance of long-term tenure for businesses will open the door to new investment and help the region to reclaim its place as a premier destination.
The DA commends Minister Macpherson for his commitment to ensuring that public assets are used for the public good, and MEC Meyer for his decisive action in addressing the legitimate concerns raised by the business community in Ugu South. Their collaborative leadership demonstrates that when different spheres of government work together with integrity, communities prosper.
This initiative is also about restoring livelihoods that were lost when businesses could no longer operate with confidence. It is about creating opportunities for the youth of Ugu South, where unemployment stands at a staggering 37%. It is also about unlocking the 16.9% contribution tourism makes to our district economy and using it as a lever for inclusive growth.
The DA in the South Coast stands ready to support the provincial department in its work to regularize leases, promote responsible investment and ensure that local businesses benefit equitably from this reform. Together with stakeholders such as FEDHASA and community leaders, the DA will continue to champion initiatives that place people, jobs, and growth at the centre of local development.
This is a victory for collaboration, transparency, and progress, and most importantly, a victory for the people of the South Coast.