Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal

Balgowan is a valley in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in South Africa.

Balgowan
A goods train approaching Balgowan station
Balgowan
Balgowan
Coordinates: 29°22′S 30°1′E
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceKwaZulu-Natal
DistrictuMgungundlovu
MunicipalityuMngeni
Area
  Total3.84 km2 (1.48 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
  Total980
  Density260/km2 (660/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
  Black African40.6%
  Coloured2.9%
  Indian/Asian4.9%
  White50.8%
  Other0.9%
First languages (2011)
  English48.6%
  Zulu37.0%
  Afrikaans10.7%
  Xhosa1.2%
  Other2.5%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
PO box
3275

The town of Balgowan is not much more than an old trading store and a train station where locally grown timber is picked up. However, nearby is Michaelhouse, the Anglican boarding school for boys in the Diocese of Natal, an exclusive private boarding school. The school complex, built in the English gothic style from red Pietermaritzburg brick, includes a chapel which is open to the public, featuring a stained glass rose window by Ervin Bossanyi.

As elsewhere in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Balgowan has some wealthy farmers, mostly in the timber production industry (pine and eucalyptus) or in dairy and cattle farming. Popular niche soft drinks manufacturer Frankie's Soft Drinks Company is located in the town.

The Midlands Meander, a scenic tourist route featuring arts and crafts, restaurants and accommodation, runs through Balgowan on the R103 road.

References

  1. "Main Place Balgowan". Census 2011.


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