Local Economic Development

Tourism Development, Marketing and promotion Arts trasts and cultural promotion SMME Development and poverty allaviation Policy and strategy formulation Monitoring and evaluation of Municipal LED Business development and investment promotion Town and spatial developmental assessment and awareness

Port St. Johns municipality has a population of approximately 152 000. Its Gross Geographical Product (GGP) contributes approximately 2.3% to OR Tambo District Municipality’s and is the smallest of the seven municipalities under ORTDM. The most dominant sector is the Community Services Sector, which contributes about 66% of the PSJ GGP. Trade and Manufacturing sectors follow this, which contributes 12.3% and 8.6% respectively. Although Tourism and Agriculture are priorities of the municipality and perceived to be creating a sizeable amount of jobs, Tourism has not been measured and agriculture contributes about 5.6% to the GGP. Social grants and informal trading largely drive the economy. Labour Force The population of Port St. Johns is largely illiterate with limited skilled people. According Statistics SA, elementary occupations (unskilled labour) contribute 32% of the labour force. Initiatives to engage the community into adult literacy programs are underway through Abed and Karigude adult literacy campaign.

LED Strategy LED Strategic Plan Master Plan PSJ Agricultural Status PSJ Integrated Development Water Front Development Feasibility Study Local Tourism Organization Draft Strategy PSJ Ward Based Local Area Plans (LAP’s) Estuary Management Plans (Mzintlava and Mngazana) Environmental Management Plan Draft Master Plan Draft PSJ Community Based Organizations (CBO’s) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) LED Projects (2008-09) PSJ LED Forum stakeholders & Database of Businesses & SMME’s