| Newcastle | |
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Newcastle
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Kwazulu-Natal |
| District | Amajuba District Municipality |
| Founded | 1864 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Afzul Rehman |
| • Municipal Manager | Bongani Ntanzi |
| Elevation | 1,194 m (3,917 ft) |
| Population (2009) | |
| • Total | 419 271 [1] |
| Time zone | SAST (UTC+2) |
| Postal Code | 2940 |
| Area code(s) | 034 |
| Website | http://www.newcastle.gov.za |
Newcastle is the third largest city and urban center in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Newcastle is located in the North West corner of the province along the Ncandu River and is moderately industrial.
The upper part of the Drakensberg mountain range curls along the west side of the city. A large proportion of the population live in the Townships of Madadeni and Osizweni which lie to the East. The N11 is the principal road running through the city.
Newcastle is the seat of the local municipality by the same name as well as being the seat to the Amajuba District Municipality.
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The city started off life as Post Halt Two on the journey between Durban (then Port Natal and the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek[1] and Johannesburg.The city was strategically placed in 1854 by the Surveyor General of the Natal Colony, Dr PC Sutherland. The city was later known as the Waterfall River Township because of the Ncandu River. In 1864, the town of Newcastle was founded on the site, becoming the fourth settlement to be established in Natal after Durban, Weenen and Pietermaritzburg. Newcastle was named after the British Colonial Secretary, the Duke of Newcastle. In 1876 the Fort Amiel was built to ward off the Zulus. In 1873 Newcastle became a separate electoral division.[2] To commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond (60th) Jubilee a sandstone construction of a town hall started in 1897, being completed two years later. The town was used as a depot by the British during both the First and Second Boer War. Newcastle functioned as a major transport junction and popular stopover for wagons and post chaises during the late 19th century.
British preparation work for the Pretoria Convention of 1881 was done at Newcastle.[3]
In 1890, the first train arrived in Newcastle. In 1891, Newcastle was declared a borough. The discovery of coal brought a new era of prosperity and several ambitious building projects were planned.
This city serves surrounding maize, livestock and dairy farmers as well as workers connected to Karbochem, Mittal Steel South Africa (previously ISPAT/ISCOR), the textile and service industry. There is also considerable coal mining in the area.
Arcelor Mittal produces over 1.5 million tons of long steel products annually.
Although the Arcelor Mittal steelworks and the Karbochem synthetic rubber plant (which covers an impressive 500 000 m² of manufacturing space), dominate the Newcastle industrial portfolio, there is a wide range of manufacturing undertakings sharing in the success of the region. Newcastle has welcomed many Taiwanese into the region with the addition of over a hundred textile factories.
An indication of the industrial future of Newcastle is reflected in the chrome chemical plant, which was completed in Newcastle during 2002. This joint venture project between Karbochem and German manufacturing giant Bayer has made Newcastle the largest producer of chrome chemicals in Africa. Mittal Steel also recently completed a R400 million project to rebuild one of its coke batteries. Other large operations include a diamond cutting works, various heavy engineering concerns, steel reinforcement and a slagment cement factory.
Blackrock Casino Entertainment Hotel provides much entertainment to Newcastle and surrounding areas.
The development of a R2 billion project, Dunblane Golf and Trout Estate, which will eventually consist of 2000 houses, two hotels and a golf course is well underway. The development of a new R450 million regional shopping mall which will be called the Newcastle Mall is underway and is due for completion in early 2012. The development is a project which is run by a property company called Zenprop.The mall will be adjacent to the Blackrock Casino Entertainment Hotel.
From the 1880s, Newcastle experienced rapid economic growth. Today, Newcastle has the largest concentration of industry in the north western KwaZulu-Natal region.
Newcastle is home to approximately 413000 people.
Newcastle has two government hospitals, Newcastle Provincial Hospital (186 bed) and Madadeni Hospital (1620 bed) [2], and Medi-Clinic Newcastle (130 bed). There are also several clinics and specialist physicians in almost every field. In addition, there is a large retirement centre with care facilities for the elderly community. There are also 4 Government Clinics in Osizweni and another 3 Clinics in Madadeni catering for the Community.
Newcastle is home to the Northern KwaZulu-Natal Youth Choir [3] – a provincial choir of international repute.
The annual Vodacom Winter Festival [4] aka 'Newcastle Show', provides a platform for South African bands and singers and attracts visitors from the entire region.
Local bands, whether in Newcastle or surrounding areas, have the opportunity to showcase their talents at Melo's Pub and Grill in Huttenheights (suburb). Aspiring bands come from as far as Johannesburg and Durban to entertain the crowded bar.
Newcastle is home to the Challengers Angling Club. An annual angling competition is held to assist local charities.
The local rugby club is the Newcastle Highlanders Rugby.
Ferrum High School [5] is a culturally diverse parallel medium school. Both the Newcastle Brass Band and the Northern KwaZulu-Natal Youth Choir [6] are at home at Ferrum. Newcastle High School [7] and St. Dominic's Academy Newcastle [8] are home to several buildings that have been declared National Monuments, such as The Pavilion at St. Dominic's, which was designed by Brother Nivard Streicher and built in 1912. It was declared a monument in 1977 by Dr Piet Koornhof[5][6]. Newcastle High School is the oldest school in the area, now in its 126th year. The original school buildings are still in use today as the school's administration block. Zama High School is one of the few schools in Osizweni which are considered to be the best schools in the whole of Amajuba District when it comes to learning and teaching.They are also some famous schools in Madadeni and Osizweni such as Bethamoya High School, Siyamukela High School and Thubelihle. Other schools include: Amajuba High School, St. Oswalds, Tugela High School and Lincoln Heights Secondary School. Some junior schools would include: Hutten Park Primary, Drakensburg Primary, Newcastle Seniour Primary, Busy-Bee and Arbour Park Primary,Lennoxton Primary, S.E.Vawda Primary, Suryaville Primary and Chelmsford School. Hipc Entertainment is a Music Academy that is based in the city centre of Newcastle, KwaZulu Natal. It provides, amongst others, digital training in djing and music production.
Newcastle Community Website Newcastle Website
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