KwaZulu-Natal South Coast

KwaZulu-Natal South Coast (better known as the KZN South Coast or South Coast) is a region on the southern coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It stretches from Amanzimtoti in the north to Port Edward in the south and Harding in the west. Majority of the coast is governed by the Ugu District Municipality.

Its main towns are Amanzimtoti, Kingsburgh, Umkomaas, Scottburgh, Pennington, Hibberdene, Port Shepstone, Margate, Southbroom and Port Edward however Port Shepstone is the municipal seat and the primary town as it is the powerhouse of the South Coast.

As of 2016 the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast has a population of 753 336 (Ugu District Municipality)[1]

Demographics

As of 2016, the Ugu District Municipality (KZN South Coast) has a population of 753 336 people compared to 2011 where it had a population of 689 051 which indicates that between 2011 and 2016 the population grew at about 8.5%. The annual population growth was 2.03% and the number of men per 100 females decreased from 91.8% in 2011 to 88.4% in 2016.[2]

These demographics exclude the Greater South Coast area such as Amanzimtoti, Kingsburgh, Umkomaas and Ixopo.

Geography

It is bordered by the Indian Ocean on the east, East Griqualand in the west, Durban in the north, the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in the north-west and the Umtamvuna River (border between KZN and Eastern Cape) to the south. The Umtanvuma River is the southernmost border which borders between KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

Administration

The region is governed by the Ugu District Municipality with its seat in Port Shepstone. The three different regions are administered by their respective local municipalities. The only exception is where the Hibiscus Coast is governed by two local municipalities:[3][4]


According to Tourism KZN (government agency for tourism in KwaZulu-Natal), the South Coast stretches from Scottburgh to Port Edward and to Harding in the interior which is all governed by the Ugu District Municipality. This area is the official area of the South Coast. [12][13]

The greater South Coast or the de facto area of the South Coast includes Amanzimtoti, Isipingo, Kingsburgh, Umgababa and Umkomaas which is governed by the Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality and to some extent the region also extends to Ixopo and Highflats in the interior which is part of the Harry Gwala District Municipality. [14][15]

Subregions

It is divided into three subregions which are Umdoni Coast & Country, Hibiscus Coast and Harding and surrounds.[16]

Umdoni Coast & Country

Umdoni Coast and Country better known as the Upper South Coast stretches from Scottburgh to Mtwalume. It is located south of the Greater Durban Metro. Its main town is Scottburgh. [17]

Hibiscus Coast

Hibiscus Coast also known as the Lower South Coast stretches from Hibberdene in the north to Port Edward in the south and Izinqolweni in the west. Hibiscus Coast is the ultimate economy booster of the South Coast due its location and as well as being home to the South Coast 's economic hub, Port Shepstone. It is known as the 'beach holiday mecca' of KwaZulu-Natal[18] and is known for its 'unending' Hibiscus trees found along the coast.[19]

Harding and Surrounds

Harding is a small town located halfway between Port Shepstone and Kokstad in Griqualand East. It is famous for its sawmills in the Weza area and the Ingeli Forest. [20]

Greater South Coast

The greater area of the South Coast includes towns that are considered part of the region but are not governed by the Ugu District Municipality and are not officially part of the South Coast according to Tourism KZN.

This area stretches from Amanzimtoti and Isipingo to Clansthal on the coast. In the interior, it stretches from Highflats to Ixopo.

Facilities

The KZN South Coast has nine hospitals.

Public Hospitals

Private Hospitals

Golfing

The South Coast has more golf courses than any other section of South Africa, many of them top are 18-hole courses and are in the country's top 100 courses. They include: [32]

  • Amanzimtoti Country Club
  • Harding Golf Club
  • Hibberdene Golf Club
  • Margate Country Club
  • Port Edward Country Club
  • Port Shepstone Country Club
  • San Lameer Golf Course, Southbroom
  • Scottburgh Golf Club
  • Selborne Golf Club, Pennington
  • Southbroom Golf Club
  • Umdoni Golf Club, Pennington
  • Umkomaas Golf Club

Tourism

The coast is rich in terms of attractions and tourism contributes largely to the region's economy.

  • Aqua Planet Dive Centre
  • Butterfly Valley
  • Crocworld Conservation Centre
  • Ingeli Forest
  • Macbutterflies
  • Margate Art Museum
  • Margate Main Beach
  • Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve
  • Port Shepstone Lighthouse
  • Port Edward Lighthouse
  • Pure Venom
  • Red Desert Nature Conservation Area
  • Riverbend Crocodile Farm
  • Stephward Estate Exotic Nursery
  • St Micheals on Sea Beach
  • Aliwal Shoal
  • Umtamvuna Nature Reserve
  • Wild Waves Water Park[33]

Towns

The main towns or places in the Kwazulu-Natal South Coast includes: [34]

Lower South Coast

Upper South Coast

Harding and Surroundings

Transport

Road

The region is connected by the N2, R61 and the R102.

- The N2 connects to Durban, Richards Bay and Ermelo to the north and Mthatha, Buffalo City, Port Elizabeth, Garden Route and Cape Town to the south.

- The R61 connects to Mthatha, Graaf-Reinet and Beaufort West.

- The R102 connects to Durban, KwaDukuza and Empangeni.

The N2 runs parallel on the coast from Port Shepstone and northwards and inland from Port Shepstone to Kokstad and southwards to Cape Town. The largest traffic volumes pass along the N2 towards Port Shepstone, and further towards Kokstad, as well as the R61 from Port Shepstone towards Port Edward. Large volumes of traffic also pass along the R612 from Park Rynie to Ixopo, and the road from Umtentweni to St Faith’s.

The South Coast has its own toll route called the "South Coast Toll Road" which is situated on the N2 between Umtentweni and Southbroom. It includes three toll plazas:[35]

An alternative route to the toll road (N2) when going north to Durban is the R102 from Port Shepstone.

Air

The South Coast is served by Margate Airport which currently has flights to Johannesburg operated by CemAir.[36][37] A larger alternative is King Shaka International Airport, north of Durban which has flights to other domestic destinations as well as international destinations such as Doha, Dubai, Gaborone, Istanbul, London, Lusaka, Maputo, Mauritius and Windhoek.

Media

The newspapers in the KZN South Coast are the South Coast Herald,[38] South Coast Fever [39] and South Coast Sun.[40] In terms of radio, East Coast Radio and Ukhozi FM are the main radio stations mainly serving the whole province of KwaZulu-Natal.

References
  1. https://municipalities.co.za/demographic/119/ugu-district-municipality
  2. "Ugu District Municipality - Demographic". municipalities.co.za. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  3. https://municipalities.co.za/contacts/119/ugu-district-municipality
  4. https://www.tourismsouthcoast.co.za
  5. http://www.kznonline.gov.za/index.php/umdoni-local-municipality
  6. https://municipalities.co.za/overview/1081/umdoni-local-municipality
  7. http://www.kznonline.gov.za/index.php/ray-nkonyeni-local-municipality
  8. https://municipalities.co.za/overview/1080/ray-nkonyeni-local-municipality
  9. http://www.kznonline.gov.za/index.php/umzumbe-local-municipality
  10. http://www.umuziwabantu.gov.za
  11. http://www.kznonline.gov.za/index.php/umuziwabantu-local-municipality
  12. "Destinations | South Coast". www.zulu.org.za. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  13. "Home". VISIT KZN SOUTH COAST. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  14. "SOUTH COAST, KwaZulu Natal". www.sa-venues.com. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  15. "KwaZulu Natal South Coast Travel | KZN Tourism South Africa". www.portfoliocollection.com. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  16. "Destinations - South Coast". www.zulu.org.za.
  17. "South Coast - Umdoni Coast & Country". www.zulu.org.za.
  18. "South Coast - Hibiscus Coast". www.zulu.org.za.
  19. https://municipalities.co.za/overview/119/ugu-district-municipality
  20. "South Coast - Harding & Surrounds". www.zulu.org.za.
  21. "Dunstan Farell hospital". www.kznhealth.gov.za.
  22. "G.J. Crookes Provincial Hospital". www.kznhealth.gov.za.
  23. "Murchison Provincial Hospital". www.kznhealth.gov.za.
  24. "Port Shepstone Provincial Hospital". www.kznhealth.gov.za.
  25. "St Andrews Provinical Hospital". www.kznhealth.gov.za.
  26. "G M Seaview Hospital". g-m-seaview-hospital.business.site.
  27. "Hibiscus Private Hospital". TravelGround.
  28. HxhiuRic3. "Welcome to Hibiscus Hospital". Hibiscus Hospitals.
  29. "Netcare Linkwood Hospital". Netcarehospitals.co.za. 2017-10-16. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  30. "Home". Shelly Beach Hospital.
  31. Shelly Beach Hospital. "Shelly Beach Hospital". Yellow Pages. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  32. http://www.thegolfcoast.co.za
  33. "Page 7 Things To Do in South Coast". www.sa-venues.com.
  34. https://municipalities.co.za/overview/119/ugu-district-municipality
  35. http://www.foresightpublications.co.za/TollroadsN2.html
  36. http://bookings.flycemair.co.za/vars/public/b/FlightCal.aspx?VarsSessionID=d5a03171-ecfe-432d-8ec7-ecb4b6db12ad
  37. https://www.businesstravellerafrica.co.za/cemair-resumes-flights/
  38. "South Coast Herald". South Coast Herald.
  39. "South Coast Fever". www.facebook.com.
  40. "South Coast Sun". South Coast Sun.

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