--- Cities Network ---

The eThekwini Municipal Area (EMA) is an amalgamation of seven council areas and some tribal land into one metropolitan area. This area stretches from Umkomaas in the south, including some tribal area in Umbumbulu, to Tongaat in the north, moving inland to some tribal area in Ndwedwe, and ends at Cato Ridge in the west. The EMA covers an area of 2297 square kilometres, with a population of approximately 3 million people. The newly demarcated boundary increased the Durban Metropolitan area by 68% although increasing the population by only 9%.

The majority of the newly incorporated areas are very rural in character with 50% of the area being used for subsistence farming and only 2% under urban settlement. These areas have little or very poorly maintained infrastructure. Being incorporated into the EMA brings hope of access to better services and opportunities to these residents. The provision of basic services to these areas is the challenge that council now faces.

There are seven operational entities within the EMA. These are the Metro, Central, Inner West, Outer West, North, South and Umkomaas Operational Entities. In the new dispensation, the eThekwini council has 200 councillors. One hundred of them are elected ward councillors and the other hundred candidates were elected to represent political parties on the basis of proportional representation.

The city has established, and maintains, world-class infrastructure to support growth. Industrial development and modernisation have resulted in the development of a modern freeway system with fast access inland, a large rail network, a sophisticated port, international airport, as well as water, recycled water, electricity and effluent disposal networks. This represents an important foundation for any further expansion in the regional economy.

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