Pietermaritzburg, situated within the Msunduzi Local Municipality, is the capital city and second-largest city of the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa.
Overview
| Country: | South Africa |
| Province: | KwaZulu-Natal |
| District: | uMgungundlovu |
| Municipality: | Msunduzi |
| Established: | 1838 |
| Named After: | Pieter Retief and Gerrit Maritz |
| Nickname(s): | “City of Flowers” |
| Total Area: | 126.15 km² (48.71 sq mi) |
| Population: | 839,327 (2023) |
| Population Density: | 6,653.4/km² (17,232/sq mi) |
| Time Zone: | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal Code (street): | 3201 |
| PO Box: | 3200 |
| Area Code: | 033 |
About Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg was named uMgungundlovu in Zulu, after King Dingane’s royal homestead uMgungundlovu.
Pietermaritzburg is famously called Maritzburg by the locals and is often abbreviated to PMB.
Pietermaritzburg is centrally located in the Msunduzi River valley between Durban, the mountain range of the Drakensberg and KwaZulu-Natal’s game reserves. It also stands on the edge of the wonderful Midlands Meander, a lovely scenic drive with many places to stop for art, craft, teas, meals and local produce as well as country accommodation.
The city lies approximately 77.3 km (a 1 hour 4 minutes drive) north of Durban (Africa’s Busiest port) via the N3 National Route.
The city is served by Pietermaritzburg Airport which is just 6.2 km (a 13-minute drive) from the CBD via Oribi Road.
Pietermaritzburg is situated only one hour away by road from the King Shaka International Airport in La Mercy, only one hour away by air from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng and only 90 minutes from the central Drakensberg resorts.
Pietermaritzburg is a regionally-important industrial hub, producing aluminium, dairy products, and timber, and is the main economic hub of uMgungundlovu District Municipality.
Pietermaritzburg is famous for hosting great international events such as the Comrades Marathon, the Dusi Canoe Marathon, Cars in the Park, the Midmar Mile, and Art in the Park. The city also hosted the 2010 UCI BMX World Championships.
The big Midmar Dam, near Howick on the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg, hosts the enormously popular annual Midmar Mile swim, as well as other activities such as sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, canoeing and boating.
Pietermaritzburg was founded by Boers from the Cape Colony in 1838 after a victory over the Zulus at the Battle of Blood River and named it after the two dead leaders of the Voortrekkers, Pieter Retief and Gerrit Maritz.
The area was later taken over by the British in 1843 and built Fort Napier (a British military garrison) as a defence in case of attacks. Today, Fort Napier is a historical monument in Pietermaritzburg. Many German and British immigrants settled here over the years as the town flourished with quaint Victorian and Edwardian buildings and features that remain today.
Pietermaritzburg was incorporated in 1854 and was the capital of Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal) province from 1856 to 1994. It was co-capital with Ulundi of KwaZulu-Natal from 1994 to 1995, when Ulundi was designated the capital. This was reversed in 2004, when Pietermaritzburg was once again declared the capital of the province.
Pietermaritzburg is known as the “City of Flowers” for its azaleas and roses and because it is the site of one of the country’s National Botanical Gardens. Butterflies for Africa, a butterfly conservation centre, is also in Pietermaritzburg.
Other attractions are Alexandra Park, Wylie Park, the Bisley Nature Reserve, Queen Elizabeth Park, and many recreational facilities. At an elevation of 2,218 feet (676 meters), the city is a gateway to KwaZulu-Natal’s many game reserves and mountain resorts.
Pietermaritzburg is home to several well-preserved late 19th-century government buildings, such as the famous red-brick City Hall and the historic Old Supreme Court building, now home to the Tatham Art Gallery.
Other cultural attractions include the Natal Museum; the Msunduzi Museum, which includes the Voortrekker Complex; and the KwaZulu-Natal Railway Museum.
Another colonial building that became famous for something other than its beautiful architecture is the old Pietermaritzburg Railway Station. It is from here that, in 1893, Mahatma Gandhi was told to leave the train as he was travelling in a ‘whites only’ compartment.
Climate
Pietermaritzburg has a Marine – Mild Winter climate with an average annual daily temperature of 22.87 ºC. The wettest month of the year is January, which sees roughly 179.83 mm of rainfall, while the warmest month is February with an average daily temperature of 27.5 ºC.
Pietermaritzburg Midlands
One of the prettiest parts of the country is the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, which starts just north of Pietermaritzburg.
The climate in this area is markedly different from that of the coastal region. During the crispy autumns and winters, the leaves and grasslands turn burnt orange and yellow, and in the spring and summer the gently rolling hillsides are covered in carpets of wild flowers. There are green, well-watered farmlands, lovely streams, rivers and waterfalls, such as the Howick, Woodhouse and Karkloof falls, and thick indigenous and commercial forests. This natural beauty is ideal for horse riding, hiking, swimming, biking, quad biking, fishing, and of course, the exciting Karkloof Canopy Tour.
This region has been a rural haven for creative people since the early 1800s, and one of the best ways to enjoy it is to take a drive along the Midlands Meander. The Meander winds past Midmar Dam and visitors can visit some 200 arts and crafts studios, country hotels, flower farms, herb gardens, potters, weavers, leatherworkers, shoemakers and home-industry outlets.
The Midlands Meander is also home to some of the best artisan food producers in South Africa and visitors love pottering through the farmlands stopping to sample homemade cheeses, craft beers, wine, artisan breads, smoked meats and preserves.
Racial makeup
According to the 2011 Census, 70.0% of the population in Pietermaritzburg describe themselves as Black African, 14.2% as White, 8.4 as Indian/Asian, 6.9% as Coloured, and 0.3% as other races.
Languages
According to the 2011 Census, the first language of 57.0% of the population is isiZulu, while 28.9% speak English, 4.2% speak Afrikaans, 3.5% speak isiXhosa, and 6.3% speak other languages.
Education
Pietermaritzburg is an educational hub on a provincial and national level. The city has a campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) as well as several other institutions of higher learning.
In addition, Pietermaritzburg is home to a host of top premier schools that include; Ridge Junior Primary School, Epworth School, Merchiston Preparatory School, Carter High School, St Nicholas Diocesan School, St John’s DSG Pietermaritzburg, Longmarket Girls’ School, The Wykeham Collegiate, Alexandra High School, Russell High School, Maritzburg Christian School, St Charles College, Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School and Voortrekker High School.
Shopping centres
Pietermaritzburg is home to some of the best shopping malls in the province and these include Cascades Lifestyle Centre, Victoria Square, Parklane Shopping Centre, Victoria Centre and Athlone Circle Mall.
Healthcare
Pietermaritzburg is home to good healthcare facilities, those in need of emergency medical assistance can get the help at Netcare St Anne’s Hospital which is only a 4-minute drive from the CBD. Nearby hospitals including Royal Hospital or Midlands Specialists Private Hospital are also great hospitals.
If it’s just a check-up or some medication you need to get, you can do so at Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg, Victoria Medical Centre or Medicross Medical Centre.
Medical assistance for pets is also available at Veterinary House Hospital, Longmarket Veterinary Clinic or Chase Valley Veterinary Clinic.
Restaurants
Pietermaritzburg provides some wonderful restaurants ready to tantalise your tastebuds such as Mozambik, Essence Cafe & Grill, Jayz Grill, Sagewood Cafe, El Sombrero Spur Steak Ranch, Tandoor The Clay Oven, Vigour & Verve and Jimmy’s Killer Prawns.
