Mtubatuba

Mtubatuba
Mtubatuba

 Mtubatuba shown within South Africa

Coordinates: 28°25′S 32°11′E / 28.417°S 32.183°ECoordinates: 28°25′S 32°11′E / 28.417°S 32.183°E
Country South Africa
Province KwaZulu-Natal
District uMkhanyakude
Municipality Mtubatuba
Established 1903
Area[1]
 • Total 0.60 km2 (0.23 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 1,589
 • Density 2,600/km2 (6,900/sq mi)
Postal code (street) 3935
PO box 3935
Area code 035

Mtubatuba is a small town north of Richards Bay close to the entrance of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (previously Greater St Lucia Wetland Park) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Town some 55 km south-south-west of Hluhluwe and 28 km west of St Lucia. Administered by a health committee since 1950. The name, formerly spelt Matubatuba, is Zulu and is said to mean ‘creator of opportunities’, referring to a chief of the Mtetwa tribe who died in 1954.[2]

The town's early years were hampered by flooding. An additional setback occurred during World War I: a ship carrying essential parts of what was to be the town's first sugar mill was torpedoed. The mill was eventually constructed in 1916 at nearby Riverview. Its township is KwaMsane.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Sub Place Mtubatuba". Census 2011.
  2. ↑ "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (Public Domain)". Human Science Research Council. p. 322.