The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, accompanied by Cabinet Ministers, will visit the Amathole District in the Eastern Cape province on Saturday, 3 December 2005. This is part of the Municipal Izimbizo programme, an integral part of Project Consolidate, and will focus specifically on interacting with elected representatives in local government, senior municipal officials and members of Ward Committees.
Amathole District is home to the capital city of the Eastern Cape, Bhisho. It includes parts of the former Ciskei and Transkei as well as former Cape Provincial Administration areas. The port city of East London is also situated in Amathole District.
The District accounts for 25,9% of the Eastern Cape's population. Amathole has 1,7 million people most of whom are found in the former Transkei and Ciskei areas. Women are in a majority in the District standing at 53,6% while men make up 46,4% of the general population. The District is characterised by an increased trend towards urbanization, however this is not matched by a similar trend in economic development.
The education levels are low with 46% of the population who have no schooling, or who only have primary schooling.
A high proportion of the people aged between 18 and 65 are economically inactive. A number of economic development initiatives have been put in place since 2000. These include the upgrading of Sisa Dukashe Stadium and the Highway Taxi Rank.
Three local municipalities in the District, namely: Buffalo City, Mnquma and Mbashe have been identified as requiring support under Project Consolidate.