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Umhlanga Rocks

Umhlanga
View of the skyline and beach of Umhlanga Rocks in 2011
View of the skyline and beach of Umhlanga Rocks in 2011
Umhlanga is located in KwaZulu-Natal
Umhlanga
Umhlanga
Umhlanga is located in South Africa
Umhlanga
Umhlanga
Umhlanga is located in Africa
Umhlanga
Umhlanga
 Umhlanga shown within KwaZulu-Natal
Coordinates: 29°43′31″S 31°05′09″E / 29.72528°S 31.08583°E / -29.72528; 31.08583Coordinates: 29°43′31″S 31°05′09″E / 29.72528°S 31.08583°E / -29.72528; 31.08583
Country South Africa
Province KwaZulu-Natal
Municipality eThekwini
Government
 • Councillor Heinz de Boer (DA)
Area
 • Total 16.75 km2 (6.47 sq mi)
Population (2011)
 • Total 24,238
 • Density 1,400/km2 (3,700/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African 17.1%
 • Coloured 2.1%
 • Indian/Asian 26.2%
 • White 53.3%
 • Other 1.2%
First languages (2011)
 • English 78.9%
 • Zulu 9.0%
 • Afrikaans 6.1%
 • Xhosa 1.1%
 • Other 4.9%
Postal code (street) 4320
PO box 4319

Umhlanga is an affluent residential, commercial and resort town north of Durban on the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, created in 2000, which includes the greater Durban area. (the correct pronunciation of "hl" in Umhlanga is similar to the Welsh "ll"), the name means "place of reeds" in the Zulu language. It is bordered by Durban North to the south and the suburb of Mt Edgecombe further inland.

It is well known for the Gateway Theatre of Shopping which is the largest shopping mall in the southern hemisphere. It also has the second tallest skyscraper in South Africa named Pearl Sky which will stand 183 meters apon completion in early 2018. There are two beaches - Bronze Beach and Main Beach both of which are patrolled by life guards throughout the day. Umhlanga is one of the fastest growing cities in South Africa - the population increased 57.5% from 15,387 in the 2001 census to 24,238 in the 2011 census. Recent estimates place the population at over 30,000.

In the same way that Sandton, Gauteng is becoming the financial centre of Johannesburg, Umhlanga is becoming the main economic hub of Durban.

Umhlanga derives its name from the Zulu language and means "place of reeds", referring to the beds of reeds growing along the Ohlanga River north of Umhlanga Rocks.

The Oyster Box, a luxury hotel since the 1930s, was originally built as a beach cottage in 1869, before the town had even been founded.

In 1895, Sir Marshall Campbell founded Umhlanga. The town's first hotel was established in 1920, followed by a shop, a lighthouse, the Natal Anti Shark Measures Board (today called the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board) and further hotel developments.


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