WELCOME TO THE CITY OF UMHLATHUZE! THE SIZZLE CITY
The City of uMhlathuze (KZ 282) is situated on the north-east coast of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, about 180 kilometres north-east of Durban. The City of uMhlathuze comprises of the central business districts of Richards Bay, eMpangeni, Heatonville and Buchanana in Ntambanana.
The City further comprises of the townships of eSikhaleni, eNseleni, Ngwelezana, Felixton, Mandlanzini, uMzingazi, and rural areas which are under traditional authorities, of KwaDube (Inkosi Dube), KwaDlangezwa (Inkosi Mkhwanazi), KwaBhejane (Inkosi Khoza), KwaMadlebe, (Inkosi Zungu), Buchanana (Inkosi Mthiyane and Inkosi Biyela), Obizo (Inkosi Cebekhulu), Somopho (Inkosi Mthembu in Macekane), Luwamba and Fatima (Inkosi Biyela).
The City of uMhlathuze also boasts luxurious urban residential settlements of Mereensee, Birdswood, Aquadene and Arboretum in Richards Bay and Hillview, Kidare, Nyala Park, Grantum Park, Panorama as well as Richem in eMpangeni.
The 34 wards City of uMhlathuze is also home to the deepest Harbour in the continent and vast land for heavy duty industries. The likes of Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) Foskor, South 32/ BHP Billiton and many others are situated and effectively operate within the City of uMhlathuze. A vast track of serviced land under the auspices of the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) is set aside for foreign direct investments.
UMhlathuze’s total area is 1195 km² with a population of 384 449. The municipal population has, on average, increased by 1.45% per annum from 2011 (2011 Census). The area under the City of uMhlathuze has various major economic sectors comprising of mining, manufacturing, agriculture, commercial farming and tourism.
The municipality borders a coastline that spans approximately 45 kilometres. The N2 highway traverses the City of uMhlathuze in north-east direction towards Mpumalanga Province, Swaziland and Mozambique borders and south-west towards Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Eastern Cape and Gauteng Province splits on the South-West route.
The Provincial Main Road (R34) passes through eMpangeni towards Melmoth, Vryheid, Newcastle and eventually Gauteng and Mpumalanga split.
The link to these entire Provinces through rail and road network makes the City of uMhlathuze and its harbour and industries easily accessible for commercial purposes especially imports and exports.
The City also boasts with a very busy regional airport. The capacity of the Richards Bay airport will soon be expanded to accommodate more facilities in the new location convenient to commercial and leisure travellers.
There are a number of natural and man-made features that have shaped and continue to shape the City of uMhlathuze. The area is inundated with eco-system of wetlands and natural water features such as Lakes Cubhu, Mzingazi, Nsezi and Nhlabane.
Major rivers include the uMhlathuze River which the City is named after and Nsezi River.
Thula-Thula Private Game Reserve, eNseleni Game Reserve, Alkantstrand Blue Flag Beach, The Water Front precinct, Birding bushes and ample private accommodation establishments with internationally acclaimed hotel brands in our City are created to cater for all travellers ranging from researchers, business and leisure.
Apart from the areas of natural significance, there is a large tracts of land under commercial agricultural production.
The City of uMhlathuze is open for business and poised for economic growth. We are waiting to welcome you in our one season City, Summer, Summer, Summer and Summer!
