1. LED Input Pietermaritzburg, Greytown & Kokstad

2. Significant Developments – Current Pietermaritzburg  Liberty Mall Expansion – Phase 4  Expansion of all Private Hospitals – Netcare St. Annes; MediClinic; Daymed Private Hospital; Midlands Medical  Development of Hilton Life Hospital (94 beds)  Development of a Specialist Eye Clinic  Development of Victoria Mother & Child Centre of Excellence – Hospital (147 beds), Step-Down Facility (50 beds) & Boutique Hotel (40beds) – maternal, paediatric & neonatal health care services – Paediatrics + Maternity + High Care + Casualty & Trauma, Radiology & Pathology  Airport Development – airside & landside infrastructure; technology hub- mixed use: special sports (velodrome), light industrial; residential/hotel.

3. Potential New Development Opportunities - Pietermaritzburg  Private Health  Education – universities and student accommodation  Gas Pipeline

4. Challenges & Most Critical Interventions - Pietermaritzburg  Shortage & supply challenges LPG - support for the development of a Gas Pipeline  Additional Electricity Infrastructure – increased capacity  Ability of manufacturers to compete - support for Process Improvement initiatives and Lean Conference

5. Significant Developments – Current Greytown  None reported – there was going to be a number of RDP houses built, but this never happened as the municipality ran out of funds

6. Potential New Development Opportunities - Greytown  Very rich area i.t.o. natural resources, so it is well positioned for agriculture and agri-processing and there is a need for government assistance to package and promote this potential.

7. Challenges & Most Critical Interventions - Greytown  Unemployment levels are alarming – there is a need to open a line of communication between stakeholders (business/government/community) and there is a need for a vision and a plan that all stakeholders can buy into and commit to.  Need to find a way of connecting the established businesses with the emergent ones, so that they can support each other.  Infrastructure needs to be developed and maintained – applies to buildings and roads. Particularly the road into Greytown, which is in a poor state and badly congested - should be extended to 3 lanes from 2, because of the amount of traffic and number of heavy trucks using this route.  There is a dire need for a 24 hour truck-stop – plan submitted to LM, but no response to date.  There is a need for additional water supplies to provide uMvoti and surrounds.

8. Significant Developments – Current Kokstad  None have been reported – there was talk of resurrecting the railway system and a proposal to develop another private hospital, but neither have materialised. Stakeholders have expressed different views as to the reasons for this – gross political interference was cited with respect to the hospital and unrealistic plans regarding the railways.  Economic turnaround package linked to infrastructure refurbishment and supported with the provision of engineering support via the infrastructure crack team was cancelled by Exco after a 7 month set-up period.

9. Potential New Development Opportunities - Kokstad  Perceived to be a suitable retirement destination that could be promoted as such – so retirement housing;  Gateway to Transkei and Lesotho, so should establish itself as such – it is a trading town and should be able to attract traders.  Agri-processing – milk; maize and meat.  Avi-tourism

10. Challenges & Most Critical Interventions - Kokstad  No LED budget or support staff for last 3 years. Political interference and corruption cited as major barriers to ED. Business environment is hostile – between the department of labour and the LM, it is difficult to start a business and also to operate one. Failure of government in the area to embrace all willing investors. So, the development of a functional, transparent and people-focused local government and the de-politicisation of the officials will make a big difference to the environment.  Clarity from government regarding the future of commercial farmers.  Lack of middle income housing and schools – opportunity to build some.  Lack of skills – expensive place to live – include Kokstad in economic corridor from Richards Bay to the South Coast.  Water security is a challenge – no secure supply despite a major river running past the city – build dams and sewerage works.

11. Thank you for your attention.