KZN economic development promote cross-border development.

A route linking KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland and Mozambique is being promoted as a tourism and investment opportunity, a KwaZulu-Natal government official said on Monday.

It seems like government sources are keen to provide much needed assistance in order to alleviate poverty and lack of growth to the areas in the north of South Africa and southern Mozambique inclusive of Swaziland.

A planned route linking Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mozambique and Swaziland is being created to help bring much needed economic benefit to these areas.

"We wanted to create a route that links all three as a tourism initiative and promote trade within the region."

"It follows on from the Lubombo spatial development initiative to develop this into an economic zone." It was reported that economic development and tourism spokesman Harry Mchunu said.

The route called East3route was launched by KZN economic development, this is strange because a the same time other parties are trying to launch the Route 22 Northern KZN initiative. One wonders if these two development parties are actually talking to each other. The greatest benefit will only be gained by a single initiative for development and not fragmented ideas.

The proposed route encompasses the N2 in KwaZulu Natal, Ponta D Ouro in Mozambique and crossing inland to Swaziland to include one of the most diverse areas of natural and cultural interest. Governmental representatives from economic development departments from the three countries met in Johannesburg to spearhead this initiative. The Lubombo Spatial Development initiative was the precursor to this new East3route concept.

With all the good news there is also bad news too. The proposed Dobela Harbor project at Lake Piti in Mozambique coupled with this new economic proposal will put in jeopardy the greater conservation initiatives in the area. As this area has little development it has always been proposed for a trans-frontier park incorporating Tembe Elephant Park, Ndumo Game park and the Maputo Elephant Reserve. With harbors, rail lines, roads and industry filling the area it seems that this is will be a distant dream. Once again nature conservation will take a back seat for economic development and expanding population growth.

Already the Dobela project threatens to be a huge reality as it will supply Botswana and Zimbabwe with a sea port and rail link. Mozambique’s often forgotten southern region will become a explosive growth area for people from an over populated Maputo looking for greener pastures. Oil and pollution will taint the pristine southern Mozambican generously supplied by the passing shipping trade.

Bristol 27/09/2011