Witbank, officially eMalahleni, is a city situated along the N4 and N12 National Routes on the Highveld of Mpumalanga province in South Africa. The town is also lies along the R104, R544, R555 Regional Routes.
The city is known for its coal-mining in the surrounding region.
eMalahleni (formerly) is part of Emalahleni Local Municipality within the Nkangala District Municipality in Mpumalanga province.
Witbank was established as a town in 1890 when the rush for coal became greater, the coal mines were built before 1890, the people failed to take the coal to market. The town only began to function properly when the Pretoria/Delagoa Bay railway was built.
The town’s name originated from the surrounding white sandstone outcrop where the wagon transport drivers used to stop over to rest at Witbank. Witbank means “White Ridge” in Afrikaans.
On the 3 March 2006, the Mpumalanga Provincial Government renamed Witbank to eMalahleni, meaning “place of coal”, a wonderful reflection of the town’s coal mining history. This new name matches the local municipality, both names are used.
Witbank is home to the township of KwaGuqa.
