Make Empangeni great once again

It is a positive indicator, especially for the local economy, when one notices new developments popping up in Richards Bay.

Infrastructure precedes investment, so visible signs of the city growing are welcome news.

This, however, is not the case for Empangeni.

While there have been new retailers added to the Five Ways Mall in Empangeni, there is no vigorous move by the municipality to improve the aesthetics of the town, similar to Richards Bay.

There is no doubt that the town needs a facelift.

It is not fair to Empangeni residents. We are also ratepayers and our business fraternity and SMMEs contribute immensely to the local economy.

Yet we are at the bottom of the service delivery chain.

We appeal to the City of uMhlathuze leadership to prioritise the further development of Empangeni.

This was once the heartbeat and economic hub of the City of uMhlathuze and now has become a forgotten neighbourhood.

Cut the grass and kerbs, make sure the roads are in a good condition and clean up the CBD area, especially the Rail.

By prioritising infrastructure, investment will surely follow.

Throughout the country government is focusing on investment corridors.

Richards Bay is not an island and plans should be made to develop an economic corridor along the John Ross Parkway into Empangeni.

We love our town and Empangeni is our home. We appeal to the municipality to make Empangeni great again.