Geography, History & Economy
uMgungundlovu District Municipality comprises:
- Impendle Local Municipality
- Mkhambathini Local Municipality
- Mpofana Local Municipality
- Msunduzi Local Municipality
- Richmond Local Municipality
- uMngeni Local Municipality
- uMshwathi Local Municipality
MDB code: DC22
Description: The uMgungundlovu District Municipality is a Category C municipality located in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The district is comprised of the following seven local municipalities, which are based in the accompanying towns: Impendle – Impendle, Mkhambathini – Camperdown, Mpofana – Mooi River, Msunduzi – Pietermaritzburg, Richmond – Richmond, uMngeni – Howick, and uMshwathi – New Hanover/Wartburg.
The main city of the area is Pietermaritzburg, which is both the capital city and the legislative capital of KwaZulu-Natal. uMgungundlovu is a water services authority and also a water service provider that continually strives to maintain its Blue Drop and Green Drop Status.
The district offers distinguished education facilities and is a retirement mecca for senior citizens. It also offers excellent sporting, commercial and health facilities. It is an important industrial, timber, dairy and agricultural hub that has a modern, sophisticated infrastructure with easy access to airports, the N3 arterial, and railway stations.
Area: 9 602km²
Cities/Towns: Ashburton, Camperdown, Cool Air, Dalton, Hilton, Howick, Impendle, Mooi River, New Hanover, Pietermaritzburg, Richmond, Wartburg
Main Economic Sectors: Community services (25-30%), finance (15-20%), manufacturing (10-15%), agriculture, forestry and fishing (10-15%), wholesale and retail trade (10-15%), transport and storage (10%)