General Information
The Jozini Dam (previously called the Pongolapoort Dam) is build on the Pongola River was completed in 1974 and covers an area of 17 000 hectares when the dam levels are at 100%. The dam wall is 70m high is build across the Pongola River gorge at the town of Jozini. The dam was originally build to supply water to local farmers on the Makatini flats for the cultivation of crops such as sugar cane, maize and cotton. Jozini Dam is situated in a beautiful part of northern KZN on the western side of the Lebombo mountain range in an area characterized by bushveld, wildlife and subtropical weather. The Jozini Dam is surrounded by private and provincial game reserves which have healthy populations of animals and birds. Jozini is now a protected breeding area for a host of water birds, mammals and fish such as the Tiger Fish. The Pongolapoort gorge is magnificent and worth a visit by boat to explore the inlets and cliffs. There are 27 species of fish in the Jozini Dam, the most prevalent being the tiger fish, Tilapia (kurper), barbel, yellowfish and carp. The Jozini Dam is at the most southern range of the African Tiger Fish, and with so much space, food and warm water, the tiger fish populations have grown to the point where Jozini is now one of the most popular fishing destinations in South Africa, with catches of tiger fish comparable to places like the Okavango Delta and the Zambezi River, just so much closer by and very easy to get to with any vehicle
The Annual Cycle at the Jozini Dam
There is an interesting annual cycle at Jozini which influences the fishing greatly. In the summer, the Pongola River flows strongly, fed by rain falling on the eastern escarpment and the highveld. Jozini Slowly fills up until October, when 15 - 20 percent of the water in the dam is released to flood the floodplains in the Makatini flats where local people rely upon the annual flood to fill the pans with water and fish and to irrigate their subsistence gardens and small farms. In some areas on the wester shore, the dam water can recede by 300m and more. From the end of October, the summer rains bring water down the Pongola River and the Jozini Dam fills up slowly, usually reaching levels of 100% by the end of February. All the vegetation which grows on the banks during the period where the dam levels are low is covered with water, feeding the dam and offering structure for small fish to hide, and also attracting tiger fish. The aquatic weeds begin to grow again and by the beginning of march, floading weed beds appear in all the shallow areas of Jozini. From November to April the water is often dirty, especially in the north of the Jozini dam where the Pongola river flows into Jozini. During the summer, the cleanest water can be found in the south of Jozini and in the gorge. When the summer rains end, the water slowly gets cleaner, so clean that you can often see the bottom 5 meters down. During the winter, the aquatic plants can grow fast in the clean water, forming weed bed which are used by water birds, and tilapia, eaten by hippo and are favorite areas for fishermen hunting for tiger fish. The presence of so much aquatic growth, hippos and flooding of vegetated areas, and the inflow of nutrients via the Pongola river that results in
MAYOR WELCOMES NEW MUNICIPAL MANAGER
Jozini Municipality finally has a father. These were words of Jozini Mayor, His Worship Councillor DP Mabika, after introducing the newly appointed Municipal Manager, Mr Jaconia Mngomezulu, at a staff meeting held early on the morning of 5 August 2019.
The Jozini Local Municipality welcomed Mngomezulu who resumed his duties on the 1st of August 2019.
The Mayor expressed his gratefulness openly, saying that it was about time the municipality found lasting stability and progress.
I have no doubt that we will work well with you and I assure you that youll receive all the necessary support while youre leading the administration of the institution, Mayor Mabika said.
Mngomezulu, a former Mtubatuba Municipal Manager, is set to be adequately armed with both relevant qualifications and experience to lead the municipality into the future for the coming five years. His credentials include a Post Graduate Diploma in Governance and Political Transformation, a Bachelor of Public Administration Honours, a certificate in Programme Management Development for Municipal Finance, and a certificate in Municipal Finance Management.
He is not new to the institution, as he has previously worked at Jozini Municipality as a Senior Administrative Officer, and as an Executive Director for Corporate and Community Services.
Im excited to be back here, joining this ship, now as municipal manager, said Mngomezulu.
During his response address, he briefly tabled out his plans for the municipality and touched on some campaigns and projects that need to be prioritised.
He further urged for support from both, the Council and employees, while also firmly stating that employees should revisit their job descriptions, so to be reminded what is expected from each individual.
TOURISM IMPLIMENTATION AND BUDGET PLAN 2011/12
As part of the Municipal Tourism Development Strategic Plan, Tourism Programmes were proposed using Development Strategic Plan Formulation that is guided by the National Framework Legislature of 1998 and Tourism White Paper of 1996.
The following programmes were identified in order to address the key challenges and opportunities in the municipality, as per the Tourism Strategy Plan.
1. Schools Tourism and conservation awareness
a) School visit
b) EKZN Wildlife Camp
2. Tourism Marketing and Promotion
a) Developing a Tourism Route
b) Developing an Electronic Brochure
c) Developing a Booklet Brochure
d) Info Lapha
e) National Exhibition Shows
f) Municipal Tourism Indaba
g) Developing a Tourism Website
h) Office away from office promotion
3.SMMES Development
a) Workshops and trainings
b) Assessments and Exhibitions
5. Tourist Information Centre
a) aintenance
4.Tourism Indaba 2012
a) Registrations
b) Tourism SMMES support
c) Exhibition material
5. DEDT Projects > Maintenance and monitoring
TOURISM PRODUCT DATABASE
NO |
PLACE |
PRODUCT NAME |
TELEPHONE NUMBER |
TYPE |
1. |
Bayala |
Baobob |
035 595 1169 |
B&B |
2. |
Bayala |
Banghoek |
035 573 1302 |
Lodge |
3. |
Bayala |
Leopard Mountain |
035 595 8218 |
Game lodge |
4. |
Bayala |
Msunduzi |
035 562 3195 |
Guest house |
5. |
Bayala |
Msunduzi river |
035 573 0709 |
Lodge |
6. |
Bayala |
Nkonka Lodge |
035 562 0469 |
Game lodge |
7. |
Bayala |
Thanda |
035 562 |
Game lodge |
8 |
Bayala |
Zebra Hills |
035 595 5125 |
B&B |
9. |
Ingwavuma |
Border Cave |
072 224 1043 |
Hist. attraction |
10. |
Ingwavuma |
Dingaans Grave |
Hist. attraction |
|
11. |
Ingwavuma |
Hlathikhulu |
Tented Camps |
|
12. |
Ingwavuma |
Ingwavuma centre |
035 591 0135 |
Self - catering |
13. |
Jozini |
Emalangeni Lodge |
082 209 1000 |
B&B |
14. |
Jozini |
Jozini Chalets |
035 572 1171 |
B&B |
15. |
Jozini |
Jozini River Lodge |
035 572 1348 |
B&B |
16. |
Jozini |
Lebombo Lodge |
035 572 1191 |
B&B |
17. |
Jozini |
Tiger Lodge |
035 572 1020 |
Lodge |
18. |
KwaJobe |
Muzi pan |
Canoeing |
|
19. |
Mbidleni |
Igula Tours |
035 562 0414 |
Tour operator |
20. |
Mkuze |
Abu Madi |
035 573 1233 |
Game Ranch |
21. |
Mkuze |
Biweda Nguni |
035 573 1061 |
B&B |
22. |
Mkuze |
Gs B&B |
035 573 1457 |
Self-catering |
23. |
Mkuze |
Ghost Mountain Inn |
035 573 1025 |
Hotel |
24. |
Mkuze |
Mkuze Airport |
035 573 1044 |
airstrip |
25. |
Mkuze |
Mkuze Nyala |
035 573 0011 |
Lodge |
26. |
Mkuze |
Mkuze Park |
035 573 9004 |
Game Reserve |
27. |
Mkuze |
Mountain view |
035 573 9497 |
Guest House |
28. |
Ndumo |
Shemula Lodge |
035 591 0135 |
B&B |
29. |
Ndumo |
Ndumo Park |
035 591 0032 |
Game Reserve |
30. |
Ndumo |
Ndumo River Lodge |
035 592 8000 |
Lodge |
31. |
Ndumo |
Usuthu Gorge |
076 592 5494 |
CCA |
32. |
UBombo |
Lebombo Nature Reserve |
Nature Reserve |
Jozini municipality
P/Bag x028
Jozini
3969
Tel (+27) 35 572 1292
Fax (+27) 35 572 1266
eMail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.