uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality covers the far north-east corner of KwaZulu-Natal, on the border
with Mozambique and eSwatini. Kwangwanase, also known as Manguzi, is the seat. The 2022 census counted
191,660 people across 4,977.1 km², up from 156,772 in 2011.
Beyond the named towns, most residents live in traditional council wards such as Mbazwana, Emanguzi,
Maputa, Mboza, Mseleni and Skhemelele — dispersed rural settlement nodes rather than proclaimed towns,
typical of this part of KwaZulu-Natal.
Towns and Villages in uMhlabuyalingana
Manguzi, Mbazwana, Mseleni and Maputa are the municipality’s main settlement nodes, each serving as a
local service centre for surrounding rural wards. GeoNames records 30 named places, listed below.
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Manguzi | Town | 5,534 |
- Bhukubhukwini
- Enkovukeni
- Esibhoweni
- eVelabusha
- eZindongeni
- Kosi
- KwaMbonia
- KwaMjiji
- KwaMlamula
- KwaShiya
- KwaSonto
- KwaZamazama
- Mabibi
- Madonela
- Mangwenya
- Mbangweni
- Mbazwana
- Mboza
- Mengu
- Mpkakathini
- Mseleni
- Munyu
- Nhlambeni
- Phelandaba
- Sihangwane
- Sihlenga
- Thengani
- Tshongwe
- uMkhumbikazana
Geography
uMhlabuyalingana is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most rural municipalities, taking in Tembe Elephant Park
near the Mozambique border and part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park along its eastern edge. The Kosi Bay
lake system, a chain of interlinked estuarine lakes, forms much of its Indian Ocean shoreline. It borders
Big Five Hlabisa, Jozini
and Mtubatuba within
Umkhanyakude District.
Demographics
Population grew from 156,772 in 2011 to 191,660 in 2022, up about 22%. The municipality remains almost
entirely rural — about 98% rural at the 2001 census — with isiZulu the first language of the great
majority of residents and Black African residents making up over 99% of the population.
Traditional leaders (amakhosi) administer customary land across almost all of uMhlabuyalingana’s wards,
working alongside the elected municipal council based at Kwangwanase.
Economy and Local Life
Subsistence and small-scale farming support most households in one of the country’s poorer
municipalities; conservation areas including Tembe Elephant Park and iSimangaliso Wetland Park give the
area growing eco-tourism potential, though formal industry and commerce remain limited outside Manguzi.
Cross-border trade with Mozambique via the Kosi Bay and Sihangwane border posts supports small-scale
commerce in the municipality’s eastern wards, alongside fishing along the Kosi Bay lake system. Public
sector jobs in health, education and local government are among the few sources of formal employment,
and many working-age residents migrate seasonally to Durban or Richards Bay for work.
History
uMhlabuyalingana was established in December 2000 as part of South Africa’s nationwide local government
demarcation, bringing the formerly separate traditional authorities of KwaZulu-Natal’s far north-east
under one municipal government for the first time.
Getting There
The N2 passes through Jozini to the west; the R22 links Manguzi and Mbazwana to Mtubatuba and on to
Richards Bay. King Shaka International Airport, south near Durban, is the nearest major airport. Mtubatuba,
about 100 km south, is the nearest town with a large hospital.
FAQ
What is the seat of uMhlabuyalingana Municipality?
Kwangwanase, also called Manguzi.
What is uMhlabuyalingana’s population?
191,660 people at the 2022 census, on 4,977.1 km².
Which district is uMhlabuyalingana part of?
Umkhanyakude District Municipality.
What are the main towns?
Manguzi, Mbazwana, Mseleni and Maputa.
What language do most uMhlabuyalingana residents speak?
isiZulu, spoken by nearly all residents.
Is uMhlabuyalingana mostly urban or rural?
Almost entirely rural, one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most rural municipalities.
What conservation areas lie within uMhlabuyalingana?
Tembe Elephant Park and part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Does uMhlabuyalingana border eSwatini?
No, it borders Mozambique; eSwatini borders lie further west along the Zululand escarpment.
What is uMhlabuyalingana’s district municipality?
Umkhanyakude District Municipality.
Is uMhlabuyalingana coastal?
Yes, part of its eastern edge lies on the Kosi Bay lake system and Indian Ocean.
Does uMhlabuyalingana border Mozambique?
Yes, along its northern and eastern edge.