King Cetshwayo District Municipality covers KwaZulu-Natal’s Zulu heartland on the north coast, named
after the last independent Zulu king to rule before British annexation. The district’s five local
municipalities had a combined 2022 census population of 1,021,344, up from 907,519 in 2011, across
roughly 8,200 km². Richards Bay, in uMhlathuze, is the district’s largest urban centre and its industrial
and port hub.
Local Municipalities in King Cetshwayo
The district was formerly known as uThungulu District Municipality, renaming to King Cetshwayo in 2016
when a portion of the disestablished Ntambanana Local Municipality was divided between uMhlathuze,
Mthonjaneni and uMfolozi. It now comprises five local municipalities.
| Municipality | Seat | 2022 pop. |
|---|---|---|
| uMhlathuze | Richards Bay | 412,075 |
| uMlalazi | Eshowe | 241,416 |
| uMfolozi | KwaMbonambi | 159,668 |
| Mthonjaneni | Melmoth | 99,289 |
| Nkandla | Nkandla town | 108,896 |
Major Towns
The district’s largest named places by population, drawn from its member municipalities:
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Richards Bay | Seat | 252,968 |
| eSikhaleni | Town | 49,265 |
| Empangeni | Town | 33,075 |
| Eshowe | Seat | 17,663 |
| Melmoth | Seat | 9,362 |
| Nkandla | Seat | 4,261 |
| KwaMbonambi | Seat | 3,441 |
| Emaqeleni | Town | 2,741 |
| Mtunzini | Town | 2,635 |
| KwaGingindlovu | Town | 1,328 |
| Felixton | Town | 1,225 |
Geography
King Cetshwayo District runs from the Indian Ocean coast at Richards Bay and Mtunzini inland to the
Zululand hills around Melmoth and Nkandla, taking in coastal forest, sugar-cane lowveld and highveld
grassland. It borders Zululand and
Umkhanyakude districts to the north and
uThukela District to the west.
Economy
Richards Bay’s harbour, aluminium smelting and coal export terminal drive the district economy, making
it one of KwaZulu-Natal’s biggest industrial nodes outside Durban. Sugar cane and timber farming dominate
the rural municipalities of uMlalazi, Mthonjaneni and Nkandla, while Eshowe and Melmoth serve as regional
market towns.
Traditional leaders (amakhosi) administer customary land across most of the district’s rural wards,
working alongside the five elected municipal councils. Coastal forest and dune vegetation give way to
inland sugar-cane and timber country, then to the highveld grassland around Nkandla and Melmoth.
FAQ
How many local municipalities make up King Cetshwayo District?
Five: uMhlathuze,
uMlalazi, uMfolozi, Mthonjaneni and Nkandla.
What is King Cetshwayo District’s population?
1,021,344 people at the 2022 census.
What was King Cetshwayo District previously called?
uThungulu District Municipality,
renamed in 2016.
Which town is the district’s largest?
Richards Bay, in uMhlathuze Local Municipality.
What is King Cetshwayo District’s total area?
Roughly 8,200 km² across its five member municipalities.
What was King Cetshwayo District’s 2011 population?
907,519 people, at the 2011 census.
Which province is King Cetshwayo District in?
KwaZulu-Natal.