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Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality

Hibiscus Coast
Local municipality
Official seal of Hibiscus Coast
Seal
Location of Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality within KwaZulu-Natal
Location of Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality within KwaZulu-Natal
Coordinates: 30°45′S 30°23′E / 30.750°S 30.383°E / -30.750; 30.383Coordinates: 30°45′S 30°23′E / 30.750°S 30.383°E / -30.750; 30.383
Country South Africa
Province KwaZulu-Natal
District Ugu
Seat Port Shepstone
Wards 29
Government
 • Type Municipal council
 • Mayor Cynthia Mqwebu
Area
 • Total 839 km2 (324 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 256,135
 • Density 310/km2 (790/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African 82.4%
 • Coloured 1.4%
 • Indian/Asian 5.1%
 • White 10.8%
First languages (2011)
 • Zulu 70.7%
 • English 14.2%
 • Xhosa 7.7%
 • Afrikaans 4.5%
 • Other 2.9%
Time zone SAST (UTC+2)
Municipal code KZN216

Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality was a local municipality in South Africa. It is the economic hub of the Ugu District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The area attracts tourists from KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces as well as international tourists.

After municipal elections on 3 August 2016 it was merged into the larger Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality.

Beaches of world-class quality are to be found along the entire seaboard. Hibberdene Beach, Ramsgate Beach, Marina Beach/San Lameer, and Lucien Beach have been recognized as Blue Flag beaches. The climate of the coastal areas is humid and subtropical — comparable to southern Florida in the United States, but not quite as hot and rainy in the summer.

The coastline is dotted with small towns, many of which serve as seasonal recreational hubs, such as Port Shepstone, Umtamvuna / Port Edward, Margate, Hibberdene and Impenjati / Southbroom. These towns feature a wide range of tourist-oriented businesses, including restaurants, bars, clubs, movie houses, golf courses, clothing shops, museums, and various types of accommodations. The income from these businesses has economically benefited the municipality as a whole.

Other economic activities include fishing, agriculture, crafts, and bead works.

The hilly inland regions of the municipality are largely under the ownership of tribal authorities. Such "traditional" settlements include KwaXolo, KwaNzimakwe, KwaNdwalane, KwaMadlala, KwaMavundla and KwaLushaba.

The 2001 census divided the municipality into the following main places:


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