Mandeni, also known as Mandini, is a town in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa, situated on the banks of the Tugela River and along the R102 Regional Route, approximately 22 km north-east of KwaDukuza (formerly known as Stanger) and 96 km north of Durban.
The Tugela River mouth lies approximately 10 km from the Central Business District of Mandeni.
Mandeni is the main town and administrative centre/seat of the Mandeni Local Municipality, which is part of the iLembe District Municipality.
The town of Mandeni has four shopping centres, namely: Mandeni Shopping Centre, where most residents go, Mandeni Mall, Gcaleka Shopping Centre (also known as KwaGcaleka), and Sundumbili Plaza.
Mandeni is home to seven township sections, all falling under Sundumbili township. These sections are Bhidla, Sikhalambazo, Thokoza, Dark City, Red Hill, Island (sometimes referred to as Ireland), Chappies, and White City. There is also a suburb which accommodated only White people during the apartheid era, known as eKwatasi.
The town of Mandeni is also home to several factories and attracts workers from near and far. Most factories are in an industrial area known as KwaSithebe. The biggest employer is Sappi, the largest paper manufacturer in South Africa.
On December 28 and 27, 2020, a rather high maximum temperature of 43.2 °C (109.8 °F) was registered.
