Kranskop

Kranskop
Kranskop

 Kranskop shown within South Africa

Coordinates: 28°58′S 30°51′E / 28.967°S 30.850°ECoordinates: 28°58′S 30°51′E / 28.967°S 30.850°E
Country South Africa
Province KwaZulu-Natal
District Umzinyathi
Municipality Umvoti
Established 1894
Area[1]
  Total 1.48 km2 (0.57 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
  Total 1,514
  Density 1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
  Black African 86.4%
  Coloured 3.6%
  Indian/Asian 6.5%
  White 2.3%
  Other 1.2%
First languages (2011)[1]
  Zulu 80.6%
  English 9.9%
  Afrikaans 1.5%
  Other 7.9%
PO box 3268
Area code 033

Kranskop is a small town that is situated on the edge of the Tugela River valley in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1894 as Hopetown but the following confusion with another town of the same name in the Great Karoo, Northern Cape, the name was changed. Kranskop was chosen and is named after two cliff faces that rise 1,175 metres above the Tugela Valley near the town. The name is an Afrikaans word meaning "cliff head."

The Kranskop rock formation has major significance in local Zulu legend and folklore, for whom it is called "Ntunjambili". The Zulu have ancient stories about a forbidden cave and a hill opening that provides protection from cannibals, but then it closes on those who have entered.[2]

References