Umzumbe, officially uMzumbe, is a seaside resort situated along the R102 Regional Route and south of the Mzumbe River mouth on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa, approximately 5 km south-west of Hibberdene and just north of the coastal village of Pumula.
Umzumbe is situated on the R102 road between Hibberdene to the north and Melville to the south, approximately 16 km north of Port Shepstone and 98 km south-west of Durban.
Umzumbe takes its name from the Mzumbe River. Of Zulu origin, the river’s name has been explained as meaning ‘the dangerous river’, ‘the winding river’, and ‘wild bean river’. The name of the river is derived from a band of Hlongwa cannibals who occupied the valley. The Hlongwa was almost wiped out by the Zulu king Shaka in 1828.
Umzumbe forms part of the greater Hibberdene area in the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality, which is part of the Ugu District Municipality.
Recreational areas
Umzumbe Beach, the main beach of Umzumbe, has been accredited as a Blue Flag Beach. However, there are larger beaches in the greater vicinity of the Lower South Coast, which are also found in Hibberdene, Margate, St Michael’s-on-Sea, Ramsgate, and Uvongo.
Another recreational area in Umzumbe is the Umzumbe Surf Camp.
Spearfishing
Spearfishing is popular in Umzumbe as the Umzumbe point is the most prominent tip south of Hibberdene. It is a prime area for Garrick and Brusher.
