# uMhlathuze Municipality, Uthungulu District – Population

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

Local municipality · Uthungulu District 

# uMhlathuze

uMhlathuze is a local municipality of South Africa in Uthungulu District, KwaZulu-Natal Province. It had an estimated **360,209 people** in 2020 on 1,233 km² (about 292 per km²). 76 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 815 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 360,209people (2020)
- 1,233km²
- 815mapped services
- 87 mtypical elevation

## How many people live in uMhlathuze?

uMhlathuze had an estimated **360,209 people** in 2020 — 43.6% of Uthungulu District, 24th of 190 local municipalities. There are 1,031 women for every 1,000 men (below the Uthungulu District figure of 1,096). Spread over 1,233 km², that is about **292 people per km²**, 11th of 190 local municipalities.

28.8% of people are children under 15 and 3.7% are 65 or older; the median age is about 26 years (it is 23 across Uthungulu District). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 48 children and older people.

0–4 ****34,306**

5–9 ****34,357**

10–14 ****35,158**

15–19 ****33,911**

20–24 ****35,896**

25–29 ****38,472**

30–34 ****37,401**

35–39 ****29,787**

40–44 ****20,406**

45–49 ****15,541**

50–54 ****12,921**

55–59 ****10,404**

60–64 ****8,314**

65–69 ****5,471**

70–74 ****3,755**

75–79 ****2,126**

80+ ****1,983**

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 uMhlathuze?

uMhlathuze lies in [Uthungulu District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/uthungulu/), [KwaZulu-Natal Province](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/), [South Africa](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/). It borders 3 other local municipalities: [Mfolozi](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/uthungulu/mfolozi/), [Mthonjaneni](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/uthungulu/mthonjaneni/) and [uMlalazi](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/uthungulu/umlalazi/). By area it is the 197th largest of 213 local municipalities in South Africa. It covers 15.0% of [Uthungulu District](https://wherepedia.org/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/uthungulu/). The centre of uMhlathuze is about 496 km in a straight line from Pretoria, the capital. It is about 13 km from Richards Bay, the main town of Uthungulu District. The centre point is at 28.7167° S, 31.9324° E. Local names: KZN282 .

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 uMhlathuze

OpenStreetMap lists 9 named sights in uMhlathuze: 7 nature reserves; 1 attraction; 1 beach.

- Enseleni Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Enseleni Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Fundimvelo Nature Reserve · nature reserve
- Richards Bay Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Thula Thula Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Zulweni Private Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Zulweni Private Game Reserve · nature reserve
- Alkantstrand · beach
- Dayspring Farmyard · attraction

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: uMhlathuze

- 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 Bay16 km
- Mkuze Airport (MZQ) · Mkuze122 km

### Nearest railway station

Maguzula (uMhlathuze), about 6.2 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Dec (about 14.0 hours, sunrise around 04:48) and shortest in Jun (about 10.3 hours, sunrise around 06:42, sunset around 17:01).

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.

## Villages and localities in uMhlathuze

Open gazetteers list **76 villages, towns and localities** in uMhlathuze. The largest with a recorded population: Richards Bay (252,968), eSikhaleni (49,265), Empangeni (33,075) and Felixton (1,225). Settlements here lie between about 9 m and 274 m above sea level (median 87 m).

- Addison Park
- Alton
- Aquadene
- Arboretum
- Bambela
- Birdswood
- Brackenham
- Carsdale
- Cyrildene
- Dondolol
- Ellingham
- Empangeni
- Empangeni Rail
- Empembeni
- Empernbeni
- Esikhawini H
- Fairview
- Felixton
- Gobamdlovu
- Grantham Park
- Gubhethuka
- Heatonville
- Hlangasa
- Hulett’s
- Ichubo
- Khandisa
- Kildare
- Korhaan Hill
- Kuleka
- Kwashodlisa
- Mahunu
- Mandlankala
- Mandlazini
- Matshana
- Meer en See
- Mkobosa
- Mount Charnwood
- Mpangele
- Ncombo
- Ndabayakhe
- Ndindima
- Ndodwane
- New Rail
- Ngwelezana
- Ngwelezana B
- Ngwelezane
- Nontshingo
- Nqutshini
- Nseleni
- Ntambanana
- Ntiwa
- Nyala Park
- Nyembe
- Obesa
- Ongoye
- Panorama
- Pension Farm
- Port Durnford
- Richards Bay
- Richem
- River View
- Schoongezicht
- Sikhalasenkosi
- Sobamdlovu
- The Village
- Umhlatuzi Valley
- Umzimbete
- Veldenvlei
- Vulindlela Township
- Wild En Weide
- eMatshana
- eMevamhlophe
- eNseleni
- eSikhaleni
- eSikhawini
- 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 uMhlathuze

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

### Water

26 rivers and streams; 8 lakes.

- Black Bass Pool
- Cubhu
- Dakaneni
- Gigizana
- Kawani
- KwaGugushe
- Mandozi
- Mangeza
- Mdibi
- Mfolozana
- Mhlatuze
- Mpangeni
- Mpangeni
- Mtimona
- Mvuzana
- Mzingazi
- Mzingazi
- Mzini
- Niwe
- Niwe
- Nseleni
- Nselenyana
- Nsezi
- Nsimbakazi

…and 10 more.

### Coast and islands

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

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

### Hills and mountains

24 hills; 8 mountains; 2 valleys.

- Nongidi · 382 m
- Luwamba · 345 m
- Qwengu · 331 m
- Kotamani · 329 m
- Mnqadi · 328 m
- Ngulule · 319 m
- Malongweni · 308 m
- Hlaza · 306 m
- Mabeka · 300 m
- Hlangaza · 290 m
- Ntondweni · 287 m
- iMatshana · 250 m
- Manqe · 242 m
- Ndondwane · 233 m
- Mayube · 232 m
- Kandalempisi · 228 m
- Sisuze · 227 m
- Dindi · 220 m
- Mafutha · 185 m
- Ngwelezana · 178 m
- Buyingoma · 165 m
- Ziyaya · 148 m
- Mayeni · 139 m
- KwaNgqoloti · 138 m

…and 10 more.

### Forests and nature

2 forest reserves; 1 nature reserve; 1 wildlife reserve.

- Enseleni Nature Reserve
- Mzingazi Forest Reserve
- Port Durnford Forest Reserve
- Richards Bay Game Reserve

### History

1 ruin.

- Fort Argyle

### Estates

1 estate.

- Mtunzini Plantation

### Getting around

3 airfields; 3 railway stations; 2 airports; 1 harbour; 1 lighthouse.

- Empangeni
- Empangeni
- Empangeni Airport
- Felixton
- Heatonville
- Mtimona
- Port Durnford Lighthouse
- Richard Bay Airport
- Richards Bay
- Richards Bay Harbour

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 uMhlathuze and the best time to visit

Using the climate of 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/).

## Nearest hospital, bank and fuel from uMhlathuze

Need Nearest mapped Distance 

Hospital Medicross Tamela · uMhlathuze 4.0 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-28.73620&mlon=31.89809#map=17/-28.73620/31.89809) 

Bank Standard Bank · uMhlathuze 4.5 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-28.73938&mlon=31.89426#map=17/-28.73938/31.89426) 

ATM Biyela Centre · uMhlathuze 4.9 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-28.74122&mlon=31.89012#map=17/-28.74122/31.89012) 

Petrol pump Engen Ritchie Ford · uMhlathuze 4.6 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-28.74078&mlon=31.89402#map=17/-28.74078/31.89402) 

Hotel Nyala Park Inn · uMhlathuze 4.0 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-28.74092&mlon=31.90256#map=17/-28.74092/31.90256) 

Mall Empangeni Mall · uMhlathuze 4.4 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-28.73804&mlon=31.89473#map=17/-28.73804/31.89473) 

School God Love Creche · uMhlathuze 3.1 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-28.70488&mlon=31.90389#map=17/-28.70488/31.90389) 

College CFCI Bible College - Zululand Campus · uMhlathuze 5.0 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-28.74270&mlon=31.89074#map=17/-28.74270/31.89074) 

Police station SAPS Empangeni Police Station · uMhlathuze 5.5 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=-28.74505&mlon=31.88656#map=17/-28.74505/31.88656) 

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

Straight-line distance from the centre of the division, within 40 km.

## Hospitals, banks and other services in uMhlathuze

Places mapped inside uMhlathuze in open map data, by type.

- Hospitals27
- Banks56
- ATMs32
- Petrol pumps56
- Hotels68
- Shopping malls21
- Schools317
- Colleges and universities15
- Cinemas1
- Pharmacies30
- Restaurants174
- Police stations7
- 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.

## Other local municipalities in Uthungulu District

- Mfolozi
- Mthonjaneni
- Nkandla
- uMlalazi

## Quick answers

- Where is uMhlathuze?In Uthungulu District, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
- What is the population of uMhlathuze?360,209 (2020 estimate)
- What is the median age in uMhlathuze?About 26 years (2020 estimate)
- What is the population density of uMhlathuze?About 292 people per km²
- What borders uMhlathuze?Mfolozi, Mthonjaneni and uMlalazi
- What is there to see in uMhlathuze?Alkantstrand, Dayspring Farmyard, Enseleni Nature Reserve, Enseleni Nature Reserve
- What time zone is uMhlathuze in?UTC+2
- What currency is used in uMhlathuze?Rand (ZAR)
- What language is spoken in uMhlathuze?Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in uMhlathuze?76 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of uMhlathuze?Settlements lie between 9 m and 274 m
- What is the highest point in uMhlathuze?Nongidi (382 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit uMhlathuze?January to December
- Where is the nearest hospital to uMhlathuze?Medicross Tamela, about 4.0 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest bank to uMhlathuze?Standard Bank, about 4.5 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest ATM to uMhlathuze?Biyela Centre, about 4.9 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest petrol pump to uMhlathuze?Engen Ritchie Ford, about 4.6 km from the centre
- How many hospitals are in uMhlathuze?27 mapped
- How many banks are in uMhlathuze?56 mapped
- How many ATMs are in uMhlathuze?32 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in uMhlathuze?56 mapped
- What is the P-code of uMhlathuze?ZA5282 (OCHA common operational dataset)