Category: Towns

Tongaat is a sugarcane growing township in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, that is situated on the banks of the Tongati River about 37 km north of Durban and 28 km south of Stanger. It now forms part of eThekwini, the Greater Durban metropolitan area. Its population is predominantly people of Indian descent. Aesthetically English colonial but distinctly cosmopolitan in flavour, Tongaat, part of the Sugar Coast, now supports one of the largest sugar-producing districts in the world. History Tongaat was established in 1945 and its name was corrupted from the river’s name, Tongati, the Zulu word for the Strychnos mackenii trees that flourish on its banks. Activities Crocodile Creek, a crocodile farm where feedings can be viewed. Ndolondolo reptile park. Where you can view many different types of reptilian. Scenic drives. Many drives in the area are picturesque including the road from Verulam, the parks and gardens of Amanzimyama on the approach into Tongaat. Westbrooke beach about 10 mins from tongaat. For shopping purposes, visit Ballito , almost like a smaller version of umhlanga. Just 7 minutes to ballito. – Ballito is Lined with many shopping centres and beautiful beaches. An atrraction for many tourists. Tongaat is 15 minutes away from umhlanga. Tongaat is very close to the airport. Roughly 5-7 minutes from tongaat. Source: Tongaat – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

KwaDukuza (also known as Stanger) is a town in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In 2006, its official name was changed from Stanger to KwaDukuza; however Zulu people in the area called it “Dukuza” well before this date, and many white South Africans continue to use “Stanger” today (see name, below). “Stanger” has been used on new road signs in the area. Name The town was named to honour William Stanger, a surveyor–general in South Africa. In 2006 the Minister of Arts and Culture approved a name change from Stanger to KwaDukuza, and it was published in the Government Gazette on 3 March 2006. History The town was founded about 1820 by King Shaka, and was named KwaDukuza (Zulu: Place of the Lost Person) because of the capital’s labyrinth of huts. After Shaka was assassinated on 24 September 1828—in a coup by two of his half-brothers, Dingane and Umthlangana (Mhlangane)—the town was burnt to the ground. In 1873 European settlers built a town on the site, naming it Stanger after William Stanger, the surveyor-general of Natal. Stanger became a municipality in 1949, and is the commercial, magisterial and railway center of an important sugar-producing district. A small museum adjoins the site of King Shaka’s grave, a grain pit in the town center. The town and its vibrant inhabitants are surrounded by sugar cane fields, bush and the mahogany tree where King Shaka held meetings, which still stands in front of the municipal offices. The Shaka Day festival, a colorful ceremony of 10,000 or more Zulu, is held at the KwaDukuza Recreation Grounds on 24 September every year. The festival is usually attended by dignitaries to mark the significance of the Zulu nation. The Stanger North Coast Museum houses historical items and information on King Shaka, the sugar industry and local history. The town has an eastern flavor, due the influx of Indian laborers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries for sugar-cane barons such as Liege Hulett. The first few hundred Indian families left Port Natal for the cane farms on 17 November 1860. The importing of Indian laborers was stopped in 1911 when their numbers exceeded 100,000. Most Indians did not return when their work contracts expired, exchanging their return-trip passes for money or property. The growth of the Indian community changed the economic and cultural nature of KwaDukuza. Town celebrations include Diwali and the Winter Fair; the latter a fundraiser for child welfare. Source: KwaDukuza – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Creighton is a settlement in Sisonke District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Village 35 km northwest of Ixopo. Laid out in 1865, it has been administered by a Health Committee since 1947. It was named after Lady McCullum (née Creighton), wife of Sir Henry McCullum, Governor of Natal from 1901 to 1907. The first murder to take place here on record was that of Richard Butcher in 2008. Source: Creighton, KwaZulu-Natal – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Harding is a town situated in the Mzimkulwana River valley, Ugu District Municipality of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Harding was established as a military outpost following the British annexation of East Griqualand in 1874. Named after Sir Walter Harding (c 1812-1874) who in 1858 became the first Chief Justice in Natal. Timber and dairy farming are the main economic activities. The abandoned 122 kilometres (76 mi) narrow gauge Alfred County Railway used to serve the farming areas, linking Harding with Port Shepstone. Harding lies at the foot of the Ingeli Range, 34 km north-west of Izingolweni and 84 km north-west of Port Shepstone. Source: Harding, KwaZulu-Natal – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Umzimkhulu is a town in Herigwala District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The town lies 243 km north-east of Mthatha and 18 km south-west of Ixopo. It developed from a trading-post and was laid out in 1884. Takes its name from the Mzimkulu River on which it is situated; zulu (bhaca) for ‘big place’, ‘large home’ of the waters. Until 1 March 2006, the town was part of an enclave in the Eastern Cape, before being transferred to KwaZulu-Natal as part of the 12th amendment of the Constitution of South Africa. Source: Umzimkhulu – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Richmond is a town situated on the banks of the upper Illovo River in the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, approximately 38 km south-west of Pietermaritzburg. Timber, sugarcane, poultry, citrus fruit and dairy goods are produced here. The town is located within the Richmond Local Municipality, forming part of the Umgungundlovu District Municipality and incorporates the former township of Ndaleni on the opposite bank of the Illovo River. Richmond was established in 1850 as Beaulieu-on-Illovo by British Byrne Settlers who were originally from Beaulieu, the seat of the Duke of Buccleuch in Richmond, North Yorkshire. The name was later changed to Richmond for ease of pronunciation. The arrival of the settlers brought about a slow return of various remnants of African people who fled the raiding Zulu armies. The Zulus called these refugees “amaBhaca”, (people who hide). Although composed of elements of many different groups, the Bhaca have developed their own identity. In February 1906 two British officers were killed at Byrne, near Richmond while involved in enforcing the collection of the hated Poll Tax from “recalcitrant districts”. This incident, known as the Trewirgie Incident, precipitated the imposition of martial law and set off the Bambatha Rebellion. One of Natal’s greatest tycoons, Joseph Baynes, a Yorkshireman by birth, was a pioneer of the dairy industry. His Baynesfield Estate was bequeathed in his will to the nation of South Africa. A good history of Richmond has been written by Coulson 1986 Source: Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia