Ugu District Municipality covers the KwaZulu-Natal south coast from Scottburgh to Port Edward, and inland to Harding on the Eastern Cape border. The 2022 census counted 773,402 people across four local municipalities (689,050 in 2011), covering 5,047 km². The district seat is Port Shepstone.
Quick Facts
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Status | District Municipality (4 locals) |
| Seat | Port Shepstone |
| Area | 5,047 km² |
| Population (2011) | 689,050 |
| Population (2022) | 773,402 |
| Coastline | 112 km, Scottburgh to Port Edward |
Local Municipalities in Ugu
| Municipality | Seat | 2022 population |
|---|---|---|
| Ray Nkonyeni | Port Shepstone | 362,134 |
| Umzumbe | Mtwalume | 139,045 |
| uMuziwabantu | Harding | 115,780 |
| uMdoni | Scottburgh | 156,443 |
Major Towns in Ugu District
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Port Shepstone | Seat | 52,793 |
| Margate | Town/village | 34,407 |
| Scottburgh | Seat | 23,949 |
| eMuziwezinto | Town/village | 19,415 |
| Ga-Malakhe | Town/village | 16,891 |
| Harding | Seat | 11,434 |
| Port Edward | Town/village | 6,872 |
| Pennington | Town/village | 3,337 |
Other settlements and localities in the municipality:
- Allerton
- Amandawe
- Anerley
- Arborville
- Ardee
- Banginyama
- Beckenham
- Borderland Estate
- Braemar
- Brookland
- Brooklands
- Burnside
- Bushyvales
- Clarevale
- Cold Place
- Coolgardie
- Cymru
- Deemount
- Deyi
- Dingimbiza
- Dingle
- Doc Wilson Point
- Dududu
- Eden
- Eedeswold
- Ekubusisweni
- Elupepeni
- Elysium
- Esperanza
- Fairfield
- Frankland
- Freeland Park
- Friedenau
- Frome
- Gamalakhe-A
- Gansa
- Gcilima
- Glen Echo
- Glendale
- Glenfield
- Glenmore Beach
- Guliga
- Hazeldene
- Hibberdene
- Hlaba
- Hluku
- Ifafa
- Ifafa Beach
- Izingolweni
- Izotsha
- Kelso
- Kelso Beach
- Kunyana
- Kuzameni
- Kuze
- KwaCele
- KwaDonsa
- KwaDweshula
- KwaGamalakhe
- KwaHlomendlini
- KwaMaci
- KwaMadlala
- KwaMaqikizana
- KwaMboto
- KwaMshiwa
- KwaNguza
- KwaNkunswana
- KwaNonhlanga
- KwaNzimakwe
- KwaQiko
- KwaRwayi
- KwaSanti
- KwaVimbindlela
- Lamaci
- Langeni
- Leisure Crest
- Louisiana
- Lovat
- Mackton
- Mahlubeni
- Marburg
- Margate Retirement Village
- Marina Beach
- Mbango
- Mbonje
- Melville
- Mfume
- Mgayi
- Mgoqozi
- Mkhumbani
- Moguntia
- Morrison
- Mpenjati
- Mpeshu
- Mpunzi Drift
- Msinsini
- Mtwalume
- Munster
- Mvenyane
- Ndlovini
- Ngqolo
- Ngwenda
- Nhlalwani
- Nhlangwini
- Nhlanza
- Njamhlophe
- Nkwali
- Nombengeza
- Nositha
- Nqabeni
- Ntaba
- Ntabazwe
- Oatlands
- Ocean View
- Odidini
- Oribi Gorge
- Oslo Beach
- Paddock
- Palm Beach
- Park Rynie
- Patwa’s
- Phoenix Park
- Pisgah
- Portobello
- Portobello Beach
- Pulunjani
- Punayi
- Qwebela
- Ramsgate
- Redlands
- Saint Faith’s
- Saint Michael’s on Sea
- Sanlameer
- Scottburgh South
- Sea Park
- Sea-View
- Seafield
- Sezela
- Shelly Beach
- Slaters
- Southbroom
- Southport
- Stafford’s Post
- Sundrift
- Sunwich Port
- Sutherland
- The Cedars
- Thorndale
- Thundeza
- Tonjeni
- Trafalgar
- Turton
- Ubambulos
- Ubango
- Umgwemphisi SP
- Umtentweni
- Umzumbe
- Uvongo Beach
- Victoria
- Vongonzana
- Weza
- Wincanton
- Xamini
- Zuma
- eMbo
- eNkoneni
- eSigodaneni
Geography
Ugu stretches 112 km along the coast from Scottburgh in the north to Port Edward in the south, with Harding marking its western inland boundary against Harry Gwala District and the Eastern Cape. The coastline gives way inland to hills, valleys and streams typical of the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.
Economy
The district describes itself as 84% rural and 16% urban, with tourism concentrated along the Ray Nkonyeni beachfront towns, forestry around Harding, and agriculture — including sugar cane — across the inland wards.
Port Shepstone anchors the district’s administration, retail and transport, while smaller towns along the coast each serve their own stretch of the 112 km shoreline with holiday accommodation and local services.
FAQ
What is the seat of Ugu District Municipality?
Port Shepstone.
How many local municipalities make up Ugu District?
Four: Ray Nkonyeni, Umzumbe, uMuziwabantu and uMdoni.
What is the district’s population?
773,402 at the 2022 census, up from 689,050 in 2011.
What towns are on the Ugu coast?
Scottburgh, Pennington, Hibberdene, Margate, Port Shepstone and Port Edward, among others.
How long is the Ugu coastline?
112 km, from Scottburgh in the north to Port Edward in the south.
Which Ugu municipality has the most people?
Ray Nkonyeni, with 362,134 residents at the 2022 census.