Emnambithi- Ladysmith forms part of the Uthukela District Municipality, with Ladysmith, Ezakheni, Steadville and Colenso / Nkanyezi as the main urban areas. Ladysmith is the primary urban area, located along the N11 National Route, 20 kilometres off the National N3 route. Ladysmith is 370 kilometres from Johannesburg and 250 kilometres from Durban. The priority development key issues for eMnambithi / Ladysmith are: physical infrastructure and services; social development and services; economic development; land reform, environment and land use management; institutional development; financial development, and democracy and governance. Urban areas have far more services than rural ones but a much lower population, indicating a clear imbalance in provision. The Driefontein Complex has been identified as an area for priority spending. It has the highest population concentration but the lowest service standards Economy

Mbabazane local municipality is one of the five local municipalities within the Uthukela District, it is located at the foothills of the central Ukhahlamba Drakesburg (world heritage site) and is situated between Okhahlamba, Umthsezi and Mooi Mpofana municipalities. Imbabazane local municipality was established in 2000, it is divided into two section (Loskop and Ntabamhlophe) with six traditional authorities. The majority of population of Imbabazane resides in rural villages scatted throughout the municipal area, particularly the traditional areas. No town is being established as yet.

Indaka Local Municipality is an administrative area in the Uthukela District of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The municipality is named after the Indaka River that runs through the municipal area. Indaka is a predominately rural municipality, and has no national roads running through it. Indaka's economy is currently relying on subsistence agriculture, government services and private household employment.

Okhahlamba Local Municipality is a municipality in the Uthukela District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Umtshezi Local Municipality is an administrative area in the Uthukela District of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. uMtshezi is an isiZulu name word for Bushman or San. The name uMtshezi refers to the Bushman River.