Zululand District Municipality covers the historic Zulu heartland of northern KwaZulu-Natal. Its five
local municipalities had a combined 2022 census population of 942,794, up from 803,576 in 2011, across
roughly 14,800 km². Ulundi, the former Zulu royal capital, and Vryheid, the district’s commercial and
industrial centre, are its main towns.
Local Municipalities in Zululand
All five of Zululand District’s local municipalities kept their pre-2016 boundaries, unlike several
neighbouring KwaZulu-Natal districts that saw mergers that year.
| Municipality | Seat | 2022 pop. |
|---|---|---|
| Abaqulusi | Vryheid | 247,263 |
| eDumbe | Paulpietersburg | 96,735 |
| Nongoma | Nongoma | 225,278 |
| Ulundi | Ulundi | 221,977 |
| uPhongolo | Pongola | 151,541 |
Major Towns
The district’s largest named places by population, drawn from its member municipalities:
| Place | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Vryheid | Seat | 150,012 |
| Mondlo | Town | 53,892 |
| Ulundi | Seat | 31,795 |
| Ncotshane | Town | 19,562 |
| Frischgewaagd | Town | 16,192 |
| Paulpietersburg | Seat | 13,123 |
| Nongoma | Seat | 9,140 |
| Louwsburg | Town | 4,865 |
| Hlobane | Town | 4,502 |
| Coronation | Town | 4,422 |
| Nkongolwane | Town | 3,213 |
| Ezibomvu | Town | 2,893 |
| Babanango | Town | 2,259 |
| Mpungamhlophe | Town | 2,161 |
| Mahlabatini | Town | 1,810 |
| Pongola | Seat | 1,680 |
| Loss | Town | 1,290 |
Geography
Zululand spans from the Mpumalanga border in the north-west, through Vryheid’s highveld, down to the
Zulu royal heartland around Ulundi, taking in the Pongolapoort Dam and Ithala Game Reserve along its
eastern edge. It borders uThukela,
King Cetshwayo and
Umkhanyakude districts.
Economy
Coal mining and manufacturing around Vryheid, sugar cane and citrus farming around Pongola, and
subsistence agriculture across the rural municipalities of eDumbe, Nongoma and Ulundi are the district’s
main economic activities. Tourism around Ithala Game Reserve and Zulu heritage sites adds a smaller but
growing sector.
Traditional leaders (amakhosi) administer customary land across most of Zululand’s rural wards. The N2
national road runs the length of the district through Pongola and Vryheid’s road network, while the R66
links Ulundi south toward Eshowe and King Cetshwayo District.
Demographics
Population grew from 803,576 in 2011 to 942,794 in 2022, up about 17%, with Abaqulusi (Vryheid)
accounting for the largest share of both population and growth.
FAQ
How many local municipalities make up Zululand District?
Five: Abaqulusi, eDumbe,
Nongoma, Ulundi and uPhongolo.
What is Zululand District’s population?
942,794 people at the 2022 census.
Which town is the district’s biggest?
Vryheid, in Abaqulusi Local Municipality.
What is Zululand District’s total area?
Roughly 14,800 km² across its five member municipalities.
What was Zululand District’s 2011 population?
803,576 people, on roughly 14,800 km².
Does Zululand District include any national parks?
Ithala Game Reserve lies within uPhongolo Local Municipality.
Which province is Zululand District in?
KwaZulu-Natal.