The origin, growth and future of the borough of Isiphingo with special reference for Environmental Management
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Date
1997
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Abstract
The aims and objectives of this study was to examine the origin and development of the Borough of Isipingo for the purpose of analysing its present management efficiency and viability. The focus was on the changing state of the quality of life of its residents. The ultimate objective was to evaluate its future role in the face of the Government's proposals of the Reconstruction and Development Programme.
The area now occupied by Isipingo first developed as sugar cane farms. In 1925 a "White" town board was established which, in 1949, was linked to Amanzimtoti, Southern Umlazi and Umbogintwini to form a single authority called Kingsborough. In 1963, as the result of the 1957 Group Areas Act (Act 77 of 1957), Isipingo was declared an Indian Group Area. It was gdeclared a fully fledged local authority in 1966, and in 1974 it attained the Borough status.
The delimitation of its boundaries is such that its expansion has been limited by Amanzimtoti*s industrial area of Prospecton in the east and Umlazi in the west. Isipingo became too small to cater for its resident and non-resident population. It is characterised by traffic congestion, environmental pollution, informal trading and general urban decay. This is associated with the degeneration of Isipingo into a third world town. The quality of life of residents has deteriorated, and there is a substantial exodus of old residents associated with the resultant high crime rate.
As a result of the new dispensation initiated in South Africa in 1994, Isipingo became part of the Durban Transitional Metropolitan Council on the 31st May 1995. It is part of the South Sub-structure that is managed together with the other constituencies of the South Sub-structure by a Multiracial Council representing all constituencies.
The main findings of this dissertation were that although some of the environment problems of Isipingo were ecological, some were caused by negligence on the part of the resident and nonĀ¬resident population. It was found that many people were not aware of the environmental issues, and were guilty of littering. The Borough management was found to be incapable of coping with this type of pollution of the environment.
If it were not for the apartheid legislation, Isipingo's evolution might have been different. The Indian Town Board did, However, improve the quality of life of some of its residents through the construction of brick houses, the provision of water, electricity and sewerage to the less fortunate residents who were living under slum conditions, such as those of Orient Hills and Lotus Park.
The task of the new management structures is to administer the assets, liabilities, rights, duties and obligations of each of the former local authorities. Although there are tangible changes such as the composition of management structures, it is too early to assess the long term effects of this transitional process. It is hoped that conditions in Isipingo will, nevertheless, improve so that all residents and non-residents experience a better quality of life.
Description
Submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Geography at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 1997.
Keywords
Social settlements--Isipingo, Social settlements