Phelandaba, Umhlabuyalingana South Africa

Phelandaba, falls under uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality and is part of uMkhanyakude District Municipality.
The land Area is 4 977km2
Population is 191660 during the year 2022
It is the largest municipality of four in the district, making up a third of its geographical area.
The municipality is extremely rural, with informal settlements at Mbazwana and Manguzi with Skhemelele fast emerging. The area is influenced by the influx of people who migrate from Swaziland and Mozambique.
Phelandaba is positioned strategically at the centre within the local municipality leaning more so to the north. The locals have been long waiting to see development in the area, to the contrary the local tribal leaders have intentionally halted development in search for the right fit.
Further the local leaders have started engaging the community to shape the type of development we look to achieve in the area. To the east is the town of Manguzi which is the best developed in the region but suffers poor town planning therefore stalling desirable development, to the south is Mbazwane bordered by the famous Sodwana Bay a catalytic tourism hub. To the west is Skhemelele which is probably the fastest growing node in the region.
None of these areas offer an upper class shopping experience, or even standard of living. Even the architecture is of a poor nature responding very little to climatic condicitons and environment.
What we look to see is a well established free flowing town planning urban scheme which aims to bridge the gap of the upper class giving the wealthy an opportunity to embrace quality right at the door steps and not have to travel lengthy trips to spend their well earned wealth inpaces like
Richards Bay and Ballito all the way to Durban.
Yes off course we can never be like those however we can make a meaningful impact in determined the world class town we want to see in our area rather then suffering what is seen in Skhemelele and Manguzi having been responsive instead of proactive in taking lead in shaping their world.
In conclusion Phelandaba means where the story ends... indeed the development story of Umhlabuyalingana should end here, and let us realise a world class town governed with excellence and diligence for the people to the people.