# Uthukela District, KwaZulu-Natal Province – Population

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/uthukela/

District · KwaZulu-Natal Province 

# Uthukela District

Uthukela District is a district or metropolitan municipality of South Africa in KwaZulu-Natal Province. It had an estimated **652,282 people** in 2020 on 11,134 km² (about 59 per km²). Its main town is Ladysmith. It is divided into 3 local municipalities. 162 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 1,227 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 652,282people (2020)
- 11,134km²
- 3local municipalities
- 1,227mapped services

## How many people live in Uthukela District?

Uthukela District had an estimated **652,282 people** in 2020 — 6.3% of KwaZulu-Natal Province, 33rd of 50 districts. There are 1,138 women for every 1,000 men (above the KwaZulu-Natal Province figure of 1,084). Spread over 11,134 km², that is about **59 people per km²**, 23rd of 50 districts.

36.0% of people are children under 15 and 5.3% are 65 or older; the median age is about 22 years (it is 25 across KwaZulu-Natal Province). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 71 children and older people.

0–4 ****76,153**

5–9 ****79,877**

10–14 ****78,885**

15–19 ****66,367**

20–24 ****50,591**

25–29 ****51,004**

30–34 ****50,750**

35–39 ****41,602**

40–44 ****31,149**

45–49 ****26,644**

50–54 ****22,379**

55–59 ****21,480**

60–64 ****20,558**

65–69 ****13,648**

70–74 ****10,090**

75–79 ****5,933**

80+ ****5,172**

Source: [Statistics South Africa 2016 Community Survey Population via OCHA HDX, population 2020 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-zaf).

## Where is Uthukela District?

Uthukela District lies in [KwaZulu-Natal Province](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/), [South Africa](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/). It borders 4 other districts: [Amajuba District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/amajuba/), [Thabo Mofutsanyane District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/free-state/thabo-mofutsanyane/), [Umgungundlovu District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/umgungundlovu/) and [Umzinyathi District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/umzinyathi/). By area it is the 34th largest of 52 districts in South Africa. It covers 11.8% of [KwaZulu-Natal Province](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/). The centre of Uthukela District is about 360 km in a straight line from Pretoria, the capital. It is about 125 km from Pietermaritzburg, the main town of KwaZulu-Natal Province. The centre point is at 28.7370° S, 29.5863° E. Local names: DC23 .

Source: [South African Municipal Demarcation Board via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-zaf).

## Things to see in and around Uthukela District

OpenStreetMap lists 139 named sights in Uthukela District: 56 caves; 18 viewpoints; 17 waterfalls; 13 nature reserves; 12 attractions; 7 memorials; 5 museums; 5 ruins; 3 archaeological sites; 2 monuments; 1 castle or fort.

- Didima Rock Art Centre · museum
- FORT DURNFORD MUSEUM · museum
- Ladysmith Siege Museum · museum
- Weenen Museum · museum
- Winterton Museum · museum
- Bushmen Paintings · archaeological site
- Main Cave Rock Art Site · archaeological site
- Rock Art Site · archaeological site
- Fort Durnford · castle or fort
- Albert's falls · waterfall
- Bilanjil Falls · waterfall
- Blue Grotto · waterfall
- Crystal Falls · waterfall
- Didima Falls · waterfall
- Doreen Falls · waterfall
- Fairy Glen Falls · waterfall
- Gudu Falls · waterfall
- Nandi Falls · waterfall
- Neptune's Pool · waterfall
- Osborne's Falls · waterfall
- Ribbon Falls · waterfall
- Rocky Waterfall · waterfall
- Sterkspruit Falls · waterfall
- Sunday Falls · waterfall
- Tiger falls · waterfall
- Tugela Falls · waterfall
- Giant's Castle · nature reserve
- Giant's Castle Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Highland Estate · nature reserve
- Mfifiyela Nature Reserve · nature reserve

…and 109 more.

Source: [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Uthukela District

- Time zoneUTC+2, no daylight saving · Africa/Johannesburg
- CurrencyRand (ZAR)
- Country calling code+27
- LanguagesZulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Pedi, English, Tswana
- Plug typesType C, D · 230 V
- Driving sideLeft
- Postcode format4 digits (####)

### Nearest airports

- Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) · Pietermaritzburg128 km
- King Shaka International Airport (DUR) · Durban178 km

### Nearest railway station

Suurlaer (Okhahlamba), about 15 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 14.0 hours, sunrise around 04:58) and shortest in Jun (about 10.3 hours, sunrise around 06:52, sunset around 17:11).

Source: [GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0)](https://www.geonames.org/); [Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03](https://www.wikidata.org/); [OurAirports (public domain)](https://ourairports.com/data/).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Local municipalities of Uthukela District

Local municipality Area km² Localities Services 

[Alfred Duma](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/uthukela/alfred-duma/) 3,764 75 644 

[Inkosi Langalibalele](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/uthukela/inkosi-langalibalele/) 3,399 39 296 

[Okhahlamba](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/uthukela/okhahlamba/) 3,971 49 287 

Source: [South African Municipal Demarcation Board via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-zaf); [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

## Villages and localities in Uthukela District

Open gazetteers list **162 villages, towns and localities** in Uthukela District. The largest with a recorded population: Ladysmith (143,446), Wembesi (33,849), Estcourt (26,444), Ekuvukeni (14,331), Weenen (8,183) and Colenso (7,653). Settlements here lie between about 640 m and 1,846 m above sea level (median 1,166 m).

- Acaciavale
- Acton Homes
- Aloe Park
- Amakasi
- Amakhosi
- Amanzana
- Ardmore
- Asyn kraal
- Belhambra
- Bergview
- Bergville
- Besters
- Bethany
- Blaauwkrantz
- Bonjaneni
- Burford
- Busingatha
- Cathedral Peak Hotel
- Cathkin Park
- Champagne Castle
- Colenso
- Cremin
- Dalakosi
- Danskraal
- Delville
- Dewdrop
- Dival
- Doomkraal
- Dragon Peaks
- Drakensberg
- Dukuza
- Edashi
- Egerton
- Ekuvukeni
- Elandslaagte
- Emakhekheni
- Emmaus
- Emnyangweni
- Estcourt
- Ethels Drive
- Ezakheni
- Ezihlabathini
- Fitty Park
- Fordsburg
- Forest Ranger
- Frere
- Game Warden
- Game Wood
- Geluksburg
- Grantleigh
- Greenpoint
- Greystorie
- Hambrook
- Hillside
- Home Farm
- Hospital Park
- Hwebede
- Hyde Park
- Imbangi
- Indayana
- Isandlwana
- Jabuva
- Jagersrust
- Kaffir Drift
- Khethani
- Kirkintullock
- Klipfontein
- Klippoort
- Kliprivier
- Kruisfontein
- Kunene
- KwaDlamini
- KwaMankonjane
- KwaMkhiza
- KwaMkhize
- KwaNdaba
- Kwanobamba
- Kwezi
- Ladysmith
- Langley
- Leonardsville
- Limehill
- Limit Hill Township
- Lombardskop Settlement
- Mahai
- Mahlutshini
- Makhwelela
- Mancana
- Matiwane
- Mchunu
- Mnqamukantaba
- Model Kloof
- Montusi Mountain Lodge
- Moorberg
- Moorleigh
- Mvelani
- Namakazi
- New Furrow
- Ngubela
- Nkaseni
- Nooitgedacht
- Northern Drakensburg
- Ntabamhlope
- Nyusana
- Observation Hill
- Oliviershoek
- Opmerksaamheid
- Oqhumu
- Otterburn
- Peace Town
- Pearl
- Rensburgsdrif
- Reservoir Hill
- Rockcliff
- Rooihoek
- Rookdale
- Roosboom
- Rose Park
- Roseville
- Sand River Valley
- Shambles
- Shayamoya
- Sobabili
- Somshoek
- Springfield
- Steadville
- Stendal
- Sungubala Camp
- Sweetwaters
- Thendele
- Tugela Estates
- Tugela Vaal
- Uitval
- Uitvlugt
- Vaalkop
- Van Reenen
- Van Riebeek Park
- Vulandondo
- Waay Hoek
- Watersmee
- Weenen
- Wembesi
- White City
- Willowgrange
- Wintershoek
- Winterton
- Wittekleifontein
- Wolwefontein
- Woodford
- Zondagsrivierpoort
- Zunckels
- Zwelisha
- eBoshi
- eMahhukwini
- eMangweni
- eMhlwaneni
- eMibuzweni
- eNkuthu
- eNtantane
- eTholeni
- eZinyosini
- uMnambithi

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

## Landscape and landmarks of Uthukela District

Named natural and historic features inside Uthukela District, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

126 rivers and streams; 8 waterfalls; 5 reservoirs and tanks.

- Amawelawela
- Baas Ben’s Stream
- Bhemana
- Bhudlu
- Bikisha
- Bilanjil Falls
- Bloukransrivier
- Boesmansrivier
- Boesmansrivier
- Braamhoekspruit
- Buttress Fork
- Dayimant
- Dewdrop Stream
- Dlomodlomo
- Doringspruit
- Drakespruit
- Dwarsrivier
- Eastman’s Peak Fork
- Gomba
- Hart’s Hill Falls
- Heather Spruit
- Hlongwane
- Hoye
- Icidi Stream

…and 115 more.

### Coast and islands

1 headland.

- Gypaetus Point

### Hills and mountains

162 mountains; 128 hills; 21 mountain passes; 19 peaks; 1 valley.

- Champagne Castle · 3,366 m
- Giant’s Castle · 3,286 m
- Elephant · 3,144 m
- Triplets · 3,136 m
- Mount Amery · 3,128 m
- Giant’s Castle Pass · 3,104 m
- Gray’s Pass · 3,096 m
- Witch Peak · 3,093 m
- Kambule · 3,077 m
- The Judge · 3,073 m
- Ifidi Pinacles · 3,070 m
- Bannerman’s Pass · 3,059 m
- Inner Tower · 3,044 m
- Castle Buttress · 3,038 m
- The Thumb · 3,035 m
- Column · 2,995 m
- Mnweni Pinnacles · 2,984 m
- Ape · 2,953 m
- Cathkin Peak · 2,930 m
- Mnweni Pass · 2,923 m
- Organ Pipes · 2,916 m
- Devil’s Tooth · 2,913 m
- Saddle · 2,910 m
- Outer Horn · 2,887 m

…and 307 more.

### Forests and nature

3 forests; 2 forest reserves; 2 nature reserves; 2 wildlife reserves; 1 park.

- Cathedral Peak State Forest
- Cathkin Peak Forest Reserve
- Cathkin Peak Forest Reserve
- Cathkin Peak State Forest
- Giant’s Castle Game Reserve
- Moor Park Game Reserve
- Oliviershoek Forest Reserve
- Royal Natal National Park
- Rugged Glen Nature Reserve
- Wagendrift Public Resort Nature Reserve

### Estates

2 estates.

- Little Switzerland
- Masonite Estates

### Getting around

21 railway stations; 10 airfields; 1 airport; 1 bridge.

- Aberlowry
- Beacon Hill
- Bergville
- Besters
- Brakwal
- Cathedral Peak
- Cathkin
- Chieveley
- Colenso
- Danskraal Railrod Station
- Draycott
- Elandslaagte
- Ennersdale
- Frere
- Kruisfontein
- Ladysmith Airport
- Ladysmith Radio Flyers
- Ladysmith Rail Station
- Lowlands
- Matiwane
- New Formosa
- Pepworth
- Pieters
- Tugela Bridge

…and 9 more.

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Uthukela District and the best time to visit

In Uthukela District, the warmest month is Jan (average 22 °C) and the coolest is Jul (10 °C). About 833 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (153 mm) and the driest Jun (11 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **March to November**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 22 153 

Feb 21 121 

Mar 20 100 

Apr 16 52 

May 14 12 

Jun 10 11 

Jul 10 11 

Aug 13 20 

Sep 17 30 

Oct 19 77 

Nov 20 106 

Dec 21 139 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Uthukela District

Places mapped inside Uthukela District in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.

- Hospitals30
- Banks33
- ATMs36
- Petrol pumps57
- Hotels146
- Shopping malls11
- Schools763
- Colleges and universities5
- Pharmacies17
- Restaurants116
- Police stations9
- Dental clinics4

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Quick answers

- Where is Uthukela District?In KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
- What is the population of Uthukela District?652,282 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in Uthukela District?About 22 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of Uthukela District?About 59 people per km²
- What borders Uthukela District?Amajuba District, Thabo Mofutsanyane District, Umgungundlovu District and Umzinyathi District
- What is there to see in Uthukela District?5 Star Cave, Albert's falls, All Out Adventures, Arthur Coleart bench
- What time zone is Uthukela District in?UTC+2
- What currency is used in Uthukela District?Rand (ZAR)
- What language is spoken in Uthukela District?Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Uthukela District?162 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Uthukela District?Settlements lie between 640 m and 1,846 m
- How many reservoirs and tanks are in Uthukela District?5 named in GeoNames
- What is the highest point in Uthukela District?Champagne Castle (3,366 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Uthukela District?March to November
- How many hospitals are in Uthukela District?30 mapped
- How many banks are in Uthukela District?33 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Uthukela District?36 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Uthukela District?57 mapped
- What is the P-code of Uthukela District?ZA523 (OCHA common operational dataset)