Louwsburg

Louwsburg
Louwsburg

 Louwsburg shown within South Africa

Coordinates: 27°35′S 31°17′E / 27.583°S 31.283°ECoordinates: 27°35′S 31°17′E / 27.583°S 31.283°E
Country South Africa
Province KwaZulu-Natal
District Zululand
Municipality Abaqulusi
Established 1920
Area[1]
 • Total 8.32 km2 (3.21 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 4,061
 • Density 490/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
 • Black African 96.8%
 • Coloured 0.3%
 • Indian/Asian 0.4%
 • White 2.2%
 • Other 0.1%
First languages (2011)[1]
 • Zulu 94.4%
 • Afrikaans 2.1%
 • English 1.5%
 • S. Ndebele 1.1%
 • Other 0.9%
PO box 3150
Area code 034

Louwsburg is a small town in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Cattle and maize farming are the primary economic activities. The town was proclaimed a township in 1920 and named after David Louw, a pioneer in the area.[2] The town's Zulu name is Ngotshe, meaning cave, though the cave's location is unknown. The town is set in a broader region known as eNgoje. The town's main tourist attraction is the adjacent Itala Game Reserve.

Louwsburg is situated near Vryheid, and resort under one of its municipalities. Louwsburg continues to grow annually, though slowly. Residents blame the town council for being ineffective and unfair. The majority of people living in this area are Zulus, but a fair number of white South Africans and other groups also live here.

The town has one major secondary school named Ngotshe Secondary School and two primary schools of which one is within the town limits. There are several schools outside the town limits. Living conditions in the area are reasonable. Most people are living in the middle-class conditions and live in harmony. There are however reports of escalating youth drinking and AIDS, which is under observation. The town has been visited by several well-known politicians, including chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Mr Jacob Zuma.

Emalia decided to improve the lives local residents by starting a nursing college called Nandisa training institute. The courses include HIV, first aid, ancillary, auxiliary, nutrition, and others.[3]

An area northwest of Louwsburg is characterised by rugged, impenetrable ravines, and is known as "Duiwel se Wêreld" (Afrikaans: Devil's terrain). According to Afrikaner legend, it was the work of the devil, who finding it inferior to God's creation, tore it asunder.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Main Place Louwsburg". Census 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Raper, P. E. "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names". Onomastic Research Centre, HSRC. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  3. ↑ http://www.nandisanursing.co.za

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