# Uthungulu District, KwaZulu-Natal Province – Population

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

District · KwaZulu-Natal Province 

# Uthungulu District

Uthungulu District is a district or metropolitan municipality of South Africa in KwaZulu-Natal Province. It had an estimated **826,595 people** in 2020 on 8,213 km² (about 101 per km²). Its main town is Richards Bay. It is divided into 5 local municipalities. 187 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 1,660 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 826,595people (2020)
- 8,213km²
- 5local municipalities
- 1,660mapped services

## How many people live in Uthungulu District?

Uthungulu District had an estimated **826,595 people** in 2020 — 7.9% of KwaZulu-Natal Province, 21st of 50 districts. There are 1,096 women for every 1,000 men (above the KwaZulu-Natal Province figure of 1,084). Spread over 8,213 km², that is about **101 people per km²**, 14th of 50 districts.

33.6% of people are children under 15 and 5.0% are 65 or older; the median age is about 23 years (it is 25 across KwaZulu-Natal Province). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 63 children and older people.

0–4 ****89,949**

5–9 ****92,847**

10–14 ****94,905**

15–19 ****85,795**

20–24 ****73,687**

25–29 ****72,735**

30–34 ****70,071**

35–39 ****55,864**

40–44 ****39,980**

45–49 ****33,437**

50–54 ****28,460**

55–59 ****24,745**

60–64 ****22,758**

65–69 ****15,249**

70–74 ****11,973**

75–79 ****7,192**

80+ ****6,948**

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 Uthungulu District?

Uthungulu 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: [Umkhanyakude District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/umkhanyakude/), [Umzinyathi District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/umzinyathi/), [Zululand District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/zululand/) and [iLembe District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/ilembe/). By area it is the 40th largest of 52 districts in South Africa. It covers 8.7% of [KwaZulu-Natal Province](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/). The centre of Uthungulu District is about 470 km in a straight line from Pretoria, the capital. It is about 145 km from Pietermaritzburg, the main town of KwaZulu-Natal Province. The centre point is at 28.7626° S, 31.5161° E. Local names: DC28 .

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 Uthungulu District

OpenStreetMap lists 40 named sights in Uthungulu District: 31 nature reserves; 3 museums; 2 attractions; 1 ruins; 1 beach; 1 memorial; 1 theme park.

- Fort Nongqayi Museum Village · museum
- Fort Nonquai · museum
- Vukani Basket Museum · museum
- Dengwini Forest Reserve · nature reserve
- Dhlabe Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Dlinza Forest Reserve · nature reserve
- Edodweni Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Enseleni Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Enseleni Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Entumeni Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Entumeni Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Ezigwayini Forest Reserve · nature reserve
- Fundimvelo Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Hlatikulu · nature reserve
- Impeleshu Forest Reserve · nature reserve
- Lake Eteza Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Lake Eteza Nature Reserve (IBA SA061) · nature reserve
- Mndunduzeli Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Mome Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Ngoye Forest Reserve · nature reserve
- Nhlabane Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Nkandla Forest · nature reserve
- Obuka & Somopho Community Nature Reserves · nature reserve
- Ocean View Game Park · nature reserve
- Opathe Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Qudeni Forest · nature reserve
- Richards Bay Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Sibudeni Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Teza Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Thula Thula Game Reserve · nature reserve

…and 10 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: Uthungulu 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

- Richards Bay Airport (RCB) · Richards Bay56 km
- King Shaka International Airport (DUR) · Durban102 km

### Nearest railway station

Nkwalini (uMlalazi), about 4.0 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 14.0 hours, sunrise around 04:50) and shortest in Jun (about 10.3 hours, sunrise around 06:44, sunset around 17:03).

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 Uthungulu District

Local municipality People per km² Area km² Localities Services 

[uMhlathuze](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/uthungulu/umhlathuze/) 360,209 292 1,233 76 815 

[uMlalazi](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/uthungulu/umlalazi/) 196,633 89 2,214 45 336 

[Mfolozi](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/uthungulu/mfolozi/) 131,607 101 1,300 27 189 

[Nkandla](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/uthungulu/nkandla/) 94,799 52 1,828 25 198 

[Mthonjaneni](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/uthungulu/mthonjaneni/) 43,347 26 1,639 15 122 

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

## Villages and localities in Uthungulu District

Open gazetteers list **187 villages, towns and localities** in Uthungulu District. The largest with a recorded population: Richards Bay (252,968), eSikhaleni (49,265), Empangeni (33,075), Eshowe (17,663), Melmoth (9,362) and Nkandla (4,261). Settlements here lie between about 9 m and 1,594 m above sea level (median 139 m).

- Aboyne
- Acme
- Addison Park
- Alton
- Aquadene
- Arboretum
- Bambela
- Bayete
- Birdswood
- Blackburn
- Brackenham
- Brooklyn
- Carsdale
- Covington
- Cungewane
- Cwaka
- Cyrildene
- Delville
- Dolwana
- Dondolol
- Ekombe
- Ekuthokozeni
- Ekutuleni
- Ellingham
- Emaqeleni
- Emhlanzini
- Empangeni
- Empangeni Rail
- Empembeni
- Empernbeni
- Ensingweni
- Entumeni Mission
- Eshowe
- Esikhawini H
- Fairview
- Fasimba
- Felixton
- Fort Louis
- Gaqangezandla
- Gezinsila
- Gingindlovu
- Gobamdlovu
- Good Hope
- Grantham Park
- Gubhethuka
- Hamewith
- Heatonville
- Highfield
- Hlangasa
- Holy Cross
- Hulett’s
- Ichubo
- Inkunzana
- Journey’s End
- Khandisa
- Khovothi
- Kildare
- Klonge
- Korhaan Hill
- Kortbegrip
- Kuleka
- KwaGingindlovu
- KwaGugu
- KwaMagwaza
- KwaMaqwakazi
- KwaMawanda
- KwaMbonambi
- KwaNcekwana
- KwaNdlangubo
- KwaZondi
- Kwashodlisa
- Langalokukhanya
- Mabaleni
- Mabengela
- Macekane
- Mahunu
- Makhanyezi
- Makhwezini
- Mandlankala
- Mandlazini
- Mankwathini
- Matshana
- Mbiswe
- Mbonambi
- Mbongolwane
- Mdimela
- Meer en See
- Melmoth
- Mfolozi
- Mfuyeni
- Mkhandwini
- Mkobosa
- Mngampondo
- Mount Charnwood
- Mpangele
- Mtunzini
- Ncombo
- Ndabayakhe
- Ndindima
- Ndodwane
- Ndundula
- Ndweni
- New Rail
- Ngoje
- Ngutweni
- Ngwelezana
- Ngwelezana B
- Ngwelezane
- Ngwemnyama
- Nhlabane
- Nkandla
- Nkiya
- Nkwalini
- Nomyaca
- Nontshingo
- Norwood Park
- Novunula
- Nozandla
- Nqoleni
- Nqutshini
- Nseleni
- Nsingweni
- Ntambanana
- Ntiwa
- Ntshingimpisi
- Ntumbeni
- Ntuthunga
- Nyala Park
- Nyembe
- Nzalabantu
- Obanjeni
- Obesa
- Ohlelo
- Ohubandaba
- Ongoye
- Overdene Estate
- Oyemeni
- Panorama
- Pension Farm
- Pholela
- Port Durnford
- Qudeni
- Randalhurst
- Richards Bay
- Richem
- River View
- Saint Paul’s
- Salpine
- Sangeni
- Sangoyana
- Saxony
- Schoongezicht
- Sebokwe
- Shakaland
- Sibhudeni
- Sikhalasenkosi
- Sobamdlovu
- Spesbona
- Spinnies
- Sunnydale
- Tandanani
- The Village
- Tugela
- Umfolozi
- Umhlatuzi Valley
- Umzimbete
- Velabandhla
- Veldenvlei
- Vulamahlo
- Vulindlela Township
- Welkom
- Wild En Weide
- Wilderness
- Wombane
- aMatikulu
- eBayala
- eMabuyeni
- eMatshana
- eMevamhlophe
- eNdlayangubo
- eNkwenkwe
- eNseleni
- eNtumeni
- eSikhaleni
- eSikhawini
- eSitheza
- iSangogana

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 Uthungulu District

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

### Water

143 rivers and streams; 11 lakes; 1 waterfall.

- Amatikulu
- Bada
- Bambela
- Bedlana
- Bhodlisa
- Bhonkolo
- Black Bass Pool
- Bumba
- Busane
- Cubhu
- Cwaka
- Dakaneni
- Damuzini
- Emama
- Geleja
- Gigizana
- Gosweni
- Halambu
- Hlambanyati
- Hlezane
- INkwalinye
- Kawani
- KuNhloyile
- Kumbukumbu

…and 131 more.

### Coast and islands

5 beaches; 3 headlands; 2 islands; 2 bays; 1 lagoon.

- Alkantstrand
- Bird Island
- Cone Point
- Five Mile Beach
- Kampstrand
- Mhlatuze Lagoon
- Pelican Island
- Richards Bay
- Sandy Point
- Soetwaterstrand
- Spinach Point
- Two Mile Beach
- Umlalazi

### Hills and mountains

122 mountains; 84 hills; 2 valleys; 1 peak.

- Qudeni · 1,771 m
- Madlozi · 1,728 m
- Nkonyane · 1,631 m
- Ntabayabesutu · 1,562 m
- Mhloshane · 1,496 m
- Talane · 1,453 m
- Thala · 1,429 m
- KwaChwezi · 1,395 m
- Ngoungwana · 1,369 m
- Zindunduzeli · 1,329 m
- Mpingana · 1,302 m
- Mpandla · 1,265 m
- Mahlogovu · 1,244 m
- Onlelweni · 1,219 m
- Nomangci · 1,211 m
- Jokweni · 1,163 m
- Mkwana · 1,115 m
- Xalasho · 1,113 m
- Ndindini · 1,109 m
- Mathiya · 1,086 m
- Macala · 1,084 m
- Nqunqumeni · 1,082 m
- Mabengela · 1,077 m
- KwaKomo · 1,047 m

…and 185 more.

### Forests and nature

5 forests; 4 forest reserves; 1 nature reserve; 1 wildlife reserve.

- Dlinza Forest Nature Reserve
- Enseleni Nature Reserve
- KwaMbonambi State Forest
- Langepan Plantasie
- Mzingazi Forest Reserve
- Ngoje Forest
- Nkandla Forest
- Port Durnford Forest Reserve
- Qudeni Forest
- Richards Bay Game Reserve
- Umgoye Forest

### History

1 ruin.

- Fort Argyle

### Estates

1 estate.

- Mtunzini Plantation

### Getting around

10 airfields; 10 railway stations; 2 airports; 2 lighthouses; 1 harbour.

- Cape Saint Lucia Lighthouse
- Delta
- Empangeni
- Empangeni
- Empangeni Airport
- Eshowe
- Eshowe
- Felixton
- Gingindlovu
- Heatonville
- Kwa-Mbonambi
- KwaMbonambi
- Mine Own
- Mtimona
- Mtunzini
- Mtunzini
- Nkwalini
- Nkwalini
- Nseleni
- Port Durnford Lighthouse
- Richard Bay Airport
- Richards Bay
- Richards Bay Harbour
- Teza

…and 1 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 Uthungulu District and the best time to visit

In Uthungulu District, the warmest month is Jan (average 24 °C) and the coolest is Jul (15 °C). About 718 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Jan (95 mm) and the driest Jun (20 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **January to December**.

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

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 24 95 

Feb 24 81 

Mar 23 75 

Apr 20 49 

May 18 27 

Jun 15 20 

Jul 15 26 

Aug 17 28 

Sep 19 50 

Oct 20 78 

Nov 21 94 

Dec 23 95 

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

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Uthungulu District

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

- Hospitals48
- Banks83
- ATMs43
- Petrol pumps77
- Hotels104
- Shopping malls28
- Schools948
- Colleges and universities22
- Cinemas1
- Pharmacies48
- Restaurants229
- Police stations18
- Dental clinics11

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 Uthungulu District?In KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
- What is the population of Uthungulu District?826,595 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in Uthungulu District?About 23 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of Uthungulu District?About 101 people per km²
- What borders Uthungulu District?Umkhanyakude District, Umzinyathi District, Zululand District and iLembe District
- What is there to see in Uthungulu District?Alkantstrand, Dayspring Farmyard, Dengwini Forest Reserve, Dhlabe Nature Reserve
- What time zone is Uthungulu District in?UTC+2
- What currency is used in Uthungulu District?Rand (ZAR)
- What language is spoken in Uthungulu District?Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Uthungulu District?187 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Uthungulu District?Settlements lie between 9 m and 1,594 m
- What is the highest point in Uthungulu District?Qudeni (1,771 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Uthungulu District?January to December
- How many hospitals are in Uthungulu District?48 mapped
- How many banks are in Uthungulu District?83 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Uthungulu District?43 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Uthungulu District?77 mapped
- What is the P-code of Uthungulu District?ZA528 (OCHA common operational dataset)