Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal

Port Edward is a small resort town situated on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It lies north of the Umtanvuma Gorge which includes the Umtamvuma River which is the border between KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. [2]

Port Edward
Port Edward
Port Edward
Coordinates: 31°03′00″S 30°13′00″E
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceKwaZulu-Natal
DistrictUgu
MunicipalityRay Nkonyeni
Area
 • Total24.18 km2 (9.34 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total4,409
 • Density180/km2 (470/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African30.9%
 • Coloured2.7%
 • Indian/Asian5.2%
 • White60.6%
 • Other0.6%
First languages (2011)
 • English49.6%
 • Afrikaans24.0%
 • Xhosa11.8%
 • Zulu10.8%
 • Other3.8%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
PO box
4295
Area code039

Port Edward is a tourist resort for seasonal visitors from more affluent regions of South Africa. The coastline between Port Edward and Hibberdene to the north is popularly known as the Hibiscus Coast because of its lush sub-tropical gardens.

It is also famous for the Red Desert, reputed to be the smallest desert in the world. Getaway magazine 26 November 2018 claims that the Red Desert is the smallest desert in the world.

There are many tourist seasons that influence Port Edward but the most significant is the Christmas / New Year period spanning from early December to mid-January. Port Edward's Silver Beach hosts an annual New Year's Eve party frequented by youths whilst on New Year's Day itself, families populate the beach for continued celebrations. Another main season coincides with the Sardine run natural phenomenon usually occurring from late May to mid-July. Recently large retail franchises (Boxer Superstores, Shoprite Holdings) have shown interest in Port Edward. With the local economy growing, the town is set for a bright future.

History

In 1831 there was a crisis between the settlers in Port Natal (Durban) and Dingane, the Zulu king. Some settlers boarded a ship that was in the harbour and the others, including Henry Francis Fynn and his family, fled down the coast. The Zulu warriors caught up with them where Port Edward is today and massacred the fleeing settlers, which included local tribespeople of Langeni, on a hill called Isandlundlu (in English, shaped like a hut). The place has been known ever since as Tragedy Hill and its slopes are still littered with the bones of the victims.

In 1552, the Portuguese carrick "Sao Joao" ran aground at Port Edward and this is the first time in recorded history that peoples from Europe met peoples from South Africa.

In 1878, the ship "The Ivy" ran aground on Leisure Bay area beach.

In 1925, the area was partly owned by TK Pringle, and he named the inland portion Banner Rest as this was where he wished to "strike his banner". The village was laid out and was named Port Edward in honour of the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII.

The first holiday cottage in Port Edward was a shack built among the sand dunes in the early days by transport rider Edward Stafford. Unaware of their motility, however, he was surprised and dismayed to see his fine creation swallowed up.  The area was subjected to several name changes as property was bought and sold, but the practice came to an end in 1952 when the town of Port Edward was ceremoniously dedicated to the then Prince of Wales. [3]

Schools

There are various small schools in Port Edward, some consisting of only 50+ children; however the most popular of these schools is Port Edward Primary School.

Suburbs

[4][5]

  • Banners Rest
  • Black Rock
  • Doc Wilson Point
  • Ekubo Coastal Estate
  • Glenmore
  • Ivy Beach
  • Leisure Bay
  • Leisure Crest
  • Meadowbrook
  • Munster
  • North Sand Bluff
  • Palm Beach
  • Rennies Beach
  • Rocklands
  • Salmon Bay
  • Three Hills

See also

References
  1. "Main Place Port Edward". Census 2011.
  2. "Port Edward". SA Places. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  3. "Port Edward Travel Information". www.kwazulu-natal-info.com. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  4. "Estate Agents in Port Edward : Property24". www.property24.com. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  5. "Map of Port Edward suburbs - Port Edward map, South Africa". www.roomsforafrica.com. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
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