Umzimkhulu Local Municipality
Umzimkhulu | |
|---|---|
|
Seal | |
Location in KwaZulu-Natal | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| District | Harry Gwala |
| Seat | Umzimkhulu |
| Wards | 20 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal council |
| • Mayor | Mphuthumi Mpabanga |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,435 km2 (940 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 180,302 |
| • Density | 74.05/km2 (191.8/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 99.3% |
| • Coloured | 0.3% |
| • Indian/Asian | 0.1% |
| • White | 0.1% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Zulu | 47.3% |
| • Xhosa | 46.3% |
| • English | 1.6% |
| • Other | 4.8% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Municipal code | KZN435 |
Umzimkhulu Municipality (Zulu: UMasipala wase Mzimkhulu; Xhosa: uMasipala wase Mzimkhulu) is a local municipality within the Harry Gwala District Municipality, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Umzimkhulu is an isiXhosa and isiZulu word meaning "big/great house". Prior to the Twelfth Amendment of the Constitution of South Africa in 2005, confirmed by the Thirteenth in 2007, it was part of the Eastern Cape.
About 90.8% of the population reside in rural areas, while the remaining 9.2% are urban-based. The municipality faces severe backlogs with respect to water, sanitation and electricity provision. In addition, road infrastructure remains poor and provides only limited access to the area.