ABOUT US
Impendle is a town in Umgungundlovu District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Impendle town is 48 km west of Pietermaritzburg and 37 km north-east of Bulwer. It was founded in 1894 and since 1948 has been administered by a health committee.
The Impendle Local Municipality is a Category B municipality located within the uMgungundlovu District in KwaZulu-Natal. It is one of seven municipalities in the district. It is situated outside the primary and secondary movement systems of the district, and is some distance away from the major tourist and trade routes, although two important roads mark its borders.
The road linking Pietermaritzburg and Underberg that serves as an important access route to the Southern Drakensberg, a popular tourist destination, runs along Impendle's southern boundary. The link road between Mooi River and Underberg, which is an alternative tourist route, travels along the municipality's north-western boundary.
The Impendle area is extremely diverse in its topography, climate and soil, and has a rich and complex natural environment. Its location at the foot of the Drakensberg makes Impendle a highland area and an important source of water within the KwaZulu-Natal Province. It is in the catchment area of the Mkhomazi River in the south and the Mngeni River in the north-east.
High-density settlements occur around Impendle Town, in villages such as Gomane, KwaNovuka, Similobha and Kamensi. A second layer of relatively dense settlements occurs on the eastern side of the Impendle Mountain, while density decreases sharply towards the west, with a ribbon of small villages running along the Lotheni River.
Area: 1 610km2
Cities/Towns: Impendle
Main Economic Sectors: Agriculture, tourism, social services
VISION
“A better life to all people of Impendle through provision of sustainable access to basic services and promotion of social and economic development by 2030.”
MISSION
“Impendle Municipality will strive for the realization of the vision through its Integrated Development Plan, Back to Basics and the Batho Pele p rinciples by:
- Facilitating delivery of appropriate services and community facilities within acceptable norms and standards
- Creating sustainable job opportunities and facilitation growth in the local economy
- Creating opportunities for self-advancement for previously disadvantaged members of the community
- Facilitating environmentally sustainable development and enhancement of the quality of the environment
- Building a responsible, caring and accountable Local Government; and Creating an enabling environment for everyone to play a meaningful role in the affairs of th Municipality”.
