OVERVIEW

Contact Details

Postal: Private Bag X321, Pietermaritzburg, 3200
Physical: Cnr Church & Chief Albert Luthuli Streets, Pietermaritzburg
Tel: 033 392 3000
Fax: 033 392 2397
Web: www.msunduzi.gov.za

Geography, History and Economy

Area: 634km²

Description: Msunduzi Local Municipality is situated within the uMgungundlovu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. It encompasses the city of Pietermaritzburg, which is the capital of the KwaZulu-Natal province and the main economic hub of the uMgungundlovu District Municipality. Msunduzi Municipality is situated on the N3 highway at the junction of an industrial corridor (from Durban to Pietermaritzburg) and an agro-industrial corridor (stretching from Pietermaritzburg to Estcourt). On a regional scale, it is located at the cross-section of the N3 Corridor and the Greytown Road Corridor to the north, a tourist route to Drakensberg, and Kokstad Road to the south.

The city of Pietermaritzburg is a provincial and national centre of educational excellence. It is the seat of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is home to several other institutions of higher learning. In addition, Pietermaritzburg is home to a host of private and government-owned institutions of primary and secondary education. Pietermaritzburg is the ‘City of Choice' because it is only 45 minutes by road from Durban (Africa's busiest port), one hour away by road to the new King Shaka Airport, one hour by air from Pietermaritzburg Airport to OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg), and 90 minutes from the central Drakensberg resorts. It is also home to great international events such as the Comrades Marathon, the Duzi Marathon and the Midmar Mile.

Cities/Towns: Ashburton, Pietermaritzburg

Main Economic Sectors: Community services (29%), finance (24%), transport (13%), trade (12%), manufacturing (12%)