UMgungundlovu Economic Development Agency UMEDA

13/11/2026

On 13 November 2026 UMEDA hosted a Fraud Awareness Session aimed at strengthening staff awareness and understanding of fraud prevention, corruption and ethical conduct in the workplace.

The UMEDA Chief Financial Officer Mr Mpumelelo Hadebe welcomed the presenters and expressed appreciation for their participation, highlighting the importance of the session in strengthening staff awareness and promoting a culture of integrity, accountability and ethical conduct within the Agency.

The Agency was honoured to welcome representatives from the Special Investigating Unit- South Africa (SIU), who delivered an informative presentation outlining their mandate and role in investigating and combating fraud and corruption across various institutions.

The session further benefited from an insightful presentation by the KZNCOGTA Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on the Municipal Integrity Management Framework, including an introduction to the Code for Ethical Leadership. This highlighted the importance of promoting integrity, accountability and ethical leadership within public institutions.

Bringing the session to a close, the Office of the Premier delivered an informative presentation on Managing Ethics in Public Service Administration, emphasising the importance of upholding ethical standards and ensuring responsible conduct in the public sector.

In his closing remarks, the UMEDA Chief Executive Officer expressed his sincere appreciation to all the presenters for sharing their knowledge and expertise with the Agency's employees. He emphasised the importance of the session in equipping staff with the necessary knowledge to recognise, prevent and report fraudulent and corrupt activities, while ensuring that they do not engage in practices that compromise the integrity of the institution.

13/11/2026

10/11/2026

06/11/2026

As part of its commitment to safeguarding institutional information and strengthening digital security, UMEDA recently conducted an ICT Cybersecurity Awareness Training facilitated by Mr Phelelani Mathe from the IT Department.

Through a comprehensive and informative presentation, Mr Mathe equipped UMEDA colleagues with essential knowledge on identifying, preventing and responding to potential cybersecurity threats. The training emphasised the importance of remaining vigilant against cyberattacks, phishing attempts, suspicious links and other digital security risks.

The session reinforced the importance of adopting safe digital practices and ensuring that we remain proactive in protecting UMEDA's information assets.

05/11/2026

The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is gearing up to welcome paddlers from across South Africa for the annual Lions River Descent, taking place on 7 and 8 November 2026.

This year’s event will also host the South African K1 River Championships, with national titles up for grabs as some of the country’s top paddlers compete over two days of racing on the Lions and Umgeni rivers.

Racing gets underway on Saturday, 7 November, at 10am, with paddlers setting off from Caversham Mill. The 30km route follows the scenic Lions River before turning upstream onto the Umgeni River to finish at Hebron Haven Hotel.

On Sunday, 8 November, paddlers will set off from Hebron Haven at 9am, covering a further 14km as they make their way under the Petrusstroom Bridge and onto Midmar Dam, finishing at the Henley Midmar Yacht Club, which is also home to the Midmar Canoe Club.

The two-day event promises an exciting weekend of racing, showcasing both the talent of South Africa’s paddlers and the beautiful rivers and scenery of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

02/11/2026

The Agency continues to advance its investment promotion agenda through strategic partnerships aimed at unlocking economic opportunities across the district.

On 1 November 2026, UMEDA’s General Manager for Trade and Investment, Mr Sandile Gabela, participated in an engagement in the Drakensberg with a delegation of black investors representing various sectors, including:
✅telecommunications,
✅Automotive,
✅agriculture
✅Energy
✅funding mobilisation
✅Innovation and technology

The delegation was led by the President of the Amandla Omnotho and Rural Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Gugulethu Xaba.

The engagement forms part of UMEDA’s ongoing investment promotion drive under the Social Compact and Integrated District Model of Operation (IDMOP), which seeks to strengthen public-private partnerships, mobilise investment and accelerate economic development.

Through engagements of this nature, UMEDA aims to turn strategic conversations into tangible investment opportunities that promote inclusive economic growth, empower local businesses and create sustainable employment across the uMgungundlovu District.

28/10/2026

Strengthening collaboration between government and the private sector is key to unlocking investment opportunities and advancing South Africa’s infrastructure agenda.

UMEDA participated in the Senior Stakeholder Breakfast held on 27 October 2026 at Gowrie Farm, Nottingham Road, under the theme “Advancing South Africa’s Infrastructure: Mobilising Institutional Capital.”

The event was addressed by the Deputy Minister of Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Sihle Zikalala, and the Deputy Minister of The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition South Africa Mr Zuko Godlimpi. The engagement brought together senior government, infrastructure-finance and institutional-investment stakeholders to explore practical ways of mobilising private and institutional capital to support infrastructure development and sustainable economic growth.

Among the other key matters discussed was the Integrated District Management and Operational Plan (IDMOP) as an economic recovery strategy under the Social Compact initiatives, aimed at strengthening collaboration and unlocking economic opportunities across the district.

UMEDA has successfully identified and secured R27.2 billion in investment pledges for the uMgungundlovu District, with the projects expected to be implemented over the next three years. This milestone reflects the agency’s continued commitment to attracting investment, unlocking economic opportunities and driving sustainable development across the district.

Through strategic partnerships and investment facilitation, UMEDA continues to champion economic development and investment opportunities across the uMgungundlovu District.

23/10/2026

First Consultative Meeting of the IDMOP with Amakhosi under uMgungundlovu District.

UMEDA proudly participated in a three-day engagement session that commenced on 20 October 2026 to 22 October 2026 in Scottburgh, bringing together traditional leadership under the uMgungundlovu District, UMDM municipalities and key stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in advancing community development.

UMEDA was represented by its General Manager for Trade and Investment, Mr Sandile Gabela, who presented on District Development Model (DDM) Catalytic Projects and the Social Compact as a transformative tool for strengthening collaboration and working together with Amakhosi to address community needs and advance development.

The presentation highlighted the importance of catalytic projects in unlocking investment opportunities, creating jobs and driving sustainable economic growth across the district. It also emphasised the value of collective efforts between UMEDA, traditional leadership and municipalities in turning community priorities into meaningful development initiatives.

Furthermore, the engagement provided an opportunity to reflect on the recently adopted Integrated Municipal Development and Operational Plan (IDMOP) as a strategic framework that will help facilitate and strengthen the implementation of programmes involving Amakhosi. Through improved coordination and collaboration, the IDMOP can contribute to aligning development priorities and supporting initiatives that respond to the needs of traditional communities.

A significant highlight of the engagement was UMEDA receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from Amakhosi, in recognition of the agency’s continued support for Social Compact programmes, including initiatives involving traditional leadership.

This recognition reinforces the importance of strong partnerships in promoting inclusive development and creating lasting opportunities for communities across the uMgungundlovu District.

UMEDA remains committed to working alongside Amakhosi, municipalities and other stakeholders to translate strategic priorities into tangible results that improve livelihoods and strengthen the district’s economy.