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Mkuze | |
|---|---|
 Ghost Mountain, overlooking Mkuze. In the foreground is Mkuze airstrip (ICAO:FAMU). | |
  Mkuze  Mkuze | |
| Coordinates:27°37′S32°02′E / 27.617°S 32.033°E /-27.617; 32.033 | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| District | uMkhanyakude |
| Municipality | Jozini |
| Area | |
• Total | 4.96 km2 (1.92 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 4,414 |
| • Density | 890/km2 (2,300/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 92.8% |
| • Coloured | 0.5% |
| • Indian/Asian | 1.1% |
| • White | 4.5% |
| • Other | 1.1% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Zulu | 91.2% |
| • English | 3.1% |
| • Other | 5.7% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| PO box | 3965 |
| Area code | 035 |
Mkuze, also named Mkhuze or uMkhuze is a small town in NorthernKwaZulu-Natal,South Africa. It is located approximately 350 km from the city ofDurban. It is along theN2 road en route toJohannesburg,Eswatini andMozambique; between the Mkuze River and Intaba Yemikhovu (Ghost Mountain). Mkuze is some distance from other small towns such asHluhluwe (50 km),Nongoma (76 km),Pongola (65 km), andJozini (25 km). Mkuze is the seat ofUmkhanyakude District Municipality.
About 50,000 people reside in the small town of Mkuze.[2] As part of the KwaZulu-Natal province, the two official languages of Mkuze (which means "Chorus master" inisiZulu[3]) are Zulu and English.[4]
Mkuze Game Reserve has a large variety of natural habitats: from the eastern slopes of theLebombo Mountains along its eastern boundary, to broad stretches ofacaciasavannah,swamps and a variety of woodlands and riverine forest. A rare type of sand forest also occurs in the reserve. It is renowned among ornithologists, with more than 420 different bird species on record. TheMkuze River curves along the Mkuze Game Reserve's northern and eastern borders with a stretch of fig forest along its banks.Fish eagles swoop over the pans, snatching prey spotted from their perches in the fever trees.[5]
Mkuze is overlooked by Ghost Mountain, previously a historic battle field. This mountain is said to be the tombs of the previous Chiefs of the mountain and, according to legend, it has been the scene of a number of bloody fights. It is said that Intaba Yemikhovu is where the KingDingaan was killed by the KingShaka's son Mhlophekazi who was known as Mbophe's son, even though it is believed he died near Tugela river.[6] With its dramatic silhouette, in the shape of an old woman or witch head, it is not difficult to understand why the mountain is said to be haunted and to be the theatre of paranormal activities.[7]
Mkuze is a farming community with concentratedsugar cane crops as well as isolated forest plantations. In the 1980s cotton farming was a source of employment to villages around the town. With cotton processing firms ceasing to operate, some of these farms have been converted tocattle farming.
The Mkuze Game Reserve and its associated businesses are found near Mkuze.[8]
Mkuze is on the freight railway line which runs fromEswatini toDurban. Its airfield is approximated to be 2.5 km long.[citation needed] Villagers commute mainly by vans (orbakkies) to and from town.
There are several game parks such as the Thanda Private Game Reserve, Nsubane Pongola Transfrontier Conservation Area and thePhinda Resource Reserve close to Mkuze. Visitors to Mkuze can also find accommodation at Banghoek, Msunduze, Baobab (Bayala) and Inyala Game Lodge.[8]
There are not many townhouses or other accommodation available in Mkuze. Communities that Mkuze supports includes villages atUbombo, Enkukhwini, Tshaneni, Mhlekazi, Enhlohlela, Ezimbidleni (of which the furthest is approximately 35 km), as well as the surrounding farms. Umlingo Village is a low cost housing development in town.
The most popular senior secondary schools around the town includes Mmemezi High (Mhlekazi), Mdolomba (Ezimbidleni), Mangwazana (Ubombo), Madlaka High (Tshaneni), Sandlasenkosi (Tshaneni) and Mthwazi High which is in town.Popular primary schools includes Tshaneni (Tshaneni), Sambulo (Tshaneni), Ezimbidleni (Ezimbidleni), Mhlekazi (Mhlekazi), Bhekimkhonto (Mhlekazi South of Mpungamlilo), Velakukhanya (Ezimbidleni West or Ehlanzeni), and Mkuze Primary School is the only multi-racial school in town.
The Mkuze Country Club provides examination facilities for long distance education institutions such as theUniversity of South Africa (Unisa).[8]
Municipalities and communities ofuMkhanyakude District Municipality,KwaZulu-Natal | ||
|---|---|---|
District seat:Mkuze | ||
| uMhlabuyalingana | .svg) | |
| Jozini | ||
| Big Five Hlabisa | ||
| Mtubatuba | ||
