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| RHP |
South African
River Health Programme
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State of the Rivers Report
uMngeni River and Neighbouring Rivers and Streams
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OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY AREA
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The uMngeni and neighbouring catchments form a region of widely varying land uses. These range from conserved natural areas to areas of intense urban and industrial development. The region is one of major economic, cultural and ecological importance and careful planning is necessary if all these needs and actvities are to be sustainable.
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ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROFILE
The economic information here is based on the uMvoti to uMzimkulu Water Management Area (WMA), which includes the study area. The Gross Geographic Product (GGP) of the WMA was R26 billion in 1997 (nearly 15% of the SA GGP). The Durban and Pietermaritzburg magisterial districts contributed 57.5% and 11.7% to this figure respectively.
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Past economic growth:
(1988 - 1997) was most notable in the electricity, trade, community services and agricultural sectors.
Current growth:
Largest contributors to GGP are manufacturing (e.g. metals, machinery, leather, food and paper), trade, government and finance.
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Future growth:
The trade and manufacturing sectors are likely to show the most significant future growth. The informal economic sector is becoming an increasingly important contributor.
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Total population: uMngeni catchment: 1 753 400; uMlazi catchment: 812 700
population distribution and density: mostly < 2500 people per km2, with very dense populations (between 5000 and over 20 000 people per km2) in the Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Chatsworth areas
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Population: 64% Black, 17% Asian, 16% White, 3% Coloured
Language: approximately 76% Zulu, 24 % English
Average Annual income per person is R15 100
Rate of unemployment is 27.9% (national average is 29.3%)
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56.% of the population is active in the formal economy
Sanitation: 63% of households have piped water
Poverty index (uMngeni catchment) is 0.23 (compared to 0.37 of the WMA), based on economic activity, literacy and service provision criteria
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Water demand in the uMngeni catchment has outstripped the river's ability to supply. Without current additional water transferred from the Mooi River to Midmar dam, the economy of the area would be compromised. Despite effective water demand management, increased future demand is expected and further water import from the uMkhomazi River is being considered. The value and use of other river services (besides water availability) have not been qualtified.
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