Umzumbe Local Municipality lies on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, in Ugu District, with 139,045 people at the 2022 census (153,406 in 2011) across 1,224 km². The seat is Mtwalume. The municipality takes its name from the Umzumbe River.
Quick Facts
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| District | Ugu |
| Seat | Mtwalume |
| Status | Local Municipality |
| Area | 1,224 km² |
| Population (2011) | 153,406 |
| Population (2022) | 139,045 |
Towns and Villages in Umzumbe
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Ardee | Town/village | — |
| Brooklands | Town/village | — |
| Cold Place | Town/village | — |
| Cymru | Town/village | — |
| Deyi | Town/village | — |
| Dingimbiza | Town/village | — |
| Dingle | Town/village | — |
| Ekubusisweni | Town/village | — |
Other settlements and localities in the municipality:
- Elupepeni
- Frankland
- Friedenau
- Glen Echo
- Hazeldene
- Hlaba
- Kunyana
- KwaDweshula
- KwaMaqikizana
- KwaNguza
- KwaSanti
- Mbonje
- Mgayi
- Morrison
- Msinsini
- Ngwenda
- Nhlalwani
- Ntaba
- Ntabazwe
- Pulunjani
- Punayi
- Saint Faith’s
- Turton
- Victoria
- Zuma
Geography
Umzumbe sits inland of the coast between uMdoni to the north-east and Ray Nkonyeni to the south, with uMuziwabantu bordering to the west, all within Ugu District. Towns include Friedenau, St Faith’s and Mathulini alongside Mtwalume, spread across 1,224 km² of coastal hill country cut by the Umzumbe River and its tributaries.
Demographics
Population fell from 153,406 at the 2011 census to 139,045 in 2022, a decline of roughly 9% — one of the few KwaZulu-Natal municipalities in this batch to show a drop, likely reflecting out-migration toward Ray Nkonyeni’s coastal towns and Durban. Zulu is the first language of almost all residents. Household incomes are low: close to 60% of households report earning under R500 a month.
Economy and Local Life
Most households rely on pensions and welfare grants, remittances from migrant workers, informal trade and casual farm labour rather than formal employment. The 2001 census recorded 14 main places across the municipality, a structure that has changed little since.
History
Umzumbe has been under traditional Zulu authority for generations, with land held communally under the Ingonyama Trust much as it was before and after the 1994 transition. It was constituted as a stand-alone local municipality under South Africa’s post-1994 wall-to-wall local government system, within what is now Ugu District, and its boundaries have stayed largely unchanged since. Mission stations established in the 19th century, including St Faith’s, left a lasting imprint on local place names and church life. The municipality’s boundaries have remained stable through the various rounds of national municipal demarcation review since 2000. Coastal towns such as Mtwalume and Hibberdene have seen modest holiday-home development in recent years, though this has done little to change the overall rural character of the area. Most households still depend on a mix of grants, remittances and informal income rather than salaried jobs, a pattern common across the Ugu south coast’s inland wards.
Getting There
The N2 passes along the coastal edge of the municipality; the R612 runs inland toward Ixopo. The nearest airport is King Shaka International, north of Durban. Most residents rely on minibus taxis for local and regional travel, with routes converging on Port Shepstone and Scottburgh for onward connections.
FAQ
What is the seat of Umzumbe Local Municipality?
Mtwalume.
What is the population of Umzumbe?
139,045 at the 2022 census, down from 153,406 in 2011.
Which district does Umzumbe belong to?
Ugu District Municipality.
What are the main towns in Umzumbe?
Mtwalume, Friedenau, St Faith’s and Mathulini.
Why did Umzumbe’s population fall?
The census shows a decline between 2011 and 2022, consistent with residents moving toward coastal job centres.
What is household income like in Umzumbe?
Low — nearly 60% of households earn under R500 a month, relying on grants and informal work.
How big is Umzumbe Local Municipality?
1,224 km², stretching from the coast inland toward Ixopo.