Pietermaritzburg
Encyclopedia
Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal
, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality
. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality
. Pietermaritzburg is popularly called Maritzburg in English and Zulu
alike, and often informally abbreviated to PMB. It is a regionally important industrial hub, producing aluminium, timber and dairy products. It is home to many schools and tertiary education institutions, including a campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal
. It had a population of 228,549 in 1991; the estimated current population is around 500,000 (including neighbouring townships) and has one of the largest population of Indian South Africans in South Africa.
, following the defeat of Dingane
at the Battle of Blood River
, and was the capital of the short-lived Boer republic, Natalia
. Britain
took over Pietermaritzburg in 1843 and it became the seat of the Natal Colony's administration with the first lieutenant-governor, Martin West
, making it his home. Fort Napier, named after the governor of the Cape Colony
, Sir George Thomas Napier
, was built to house a garrison. In 1893 Natal received responsibility for their own government and an assembly building was built along with the city hall. In 1910, when the Union of South Africa
was formed, Natal became a province of the union, and Pietermaritzburg remained the capital.
and Gert (Gerrit) Maritz, two famous Voortrekker leaders. The other is that it was originally named after Piet Retief alone, since his full name was Pieter Mouriets Retief. In this interpretation the original name was "Pieter Mouriets Burg", later transliterated to the current name (Jenkins, 1971:11).
Retief was killed by Dingane
, successor to Shaka
, king of the Zulus
. Maritz died of illness on 23 September 1838 near the present-day town of Estcourt, some hundreds of kilometres northwest of Pietermaritzburg. This was after the battle with the Zulus at Bloukranz, and Maritz did not ever reach the Pietermaritzburg area. In 1938, however, the city announced officially that the second element Maritz should also honour Gert Maritz.
At the time of the rise of the Zulu Empire, the site that was to become Pietermaritzburg was called Umgungundlovu. This is popularly translated from the Zulu as "Place of the Elephant", although it could also be translated to mean "The elephant wins". Umgungundlovu is thus thought to be the site of some Zulu king's victory, since "Elephant" (Indlovu) is a name traditionally taken by the Zulu monarch. Legend has it that Shaka had his warriors hunt elephant there to sell the ivory to English traders at Durban (then called Port Natal). Today, the town is still called by its Voortrekker name, although the municipality of which it is part bears the Zulu name.
of Edendale.
was founded in 1910 as the Natal University College and extended to Durban
in 1922. The two campuses were incorporated into the University of Natal in March 1949. It became a major voice in the struggle against apartheid, and was one of the first universities in the country to provide education to black students. This campus boasts association with a remarkable array of world-class academics and has famous alumni distributed throughout the world. It became the University of KwaZulu-Natal
on 1 January 2004.
. In May 1893, while Gandhi was on his way to Pretoria
, a white man objected to Gandhi's presence in a first-class carriage, and he was ordered to move to the van compartment
at the end of the train. Gandhi, who had a first-class ticket, refused, and was thrown off the train at Pietermaritzburg. Shivering through the winter night in the waiting room of the station
, Gandhi made the momentous decision to stay on in South Africa and fight the racial discrimination
against Indians there. Out of that struggle emerged his unique version of nonviolent resistance
, Satyagraha
. Today, a bronze statue of Gandhi stands in Church Street, in the city centre.
Prior to the end of apartheid in 1994, Pietermaritzburg was the capital of Natal Province
. Following the first post-apartheid elections in South Africa, as a result of which the Inkatha Freedom Party
won a majority in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, Pietermaritzburg shared its status as capital of the (then newly created) province of KwaZulu-Natal with Ulundi. Pietermaritzburg became the legislative capital of the new province, while Ulundi became the administrative capital. The IFP, being strongly Zulu nationalist, desired that Ulundi, the capital of the Zulu Kingdom at the time of its fall to the British in the Anglo-Zulu War
, be the post-apartheid capital of the province. Ulundi had also been the capital of the bantustan
KwaZulu
, which makes up a portion of modern KwaZulu-Natal. However, Ulundi severely lacked the infrastructure to be an effective seat of government, and the African National Congress
(ANC) and the Democratic Party
, the two other strong political parties in the province, among others, called for Pietermaritzburg alone to be the capital. The debate came to an end when the ANC came to power in the province in 2004, and named Pietermaritzburg the sole capital of KwaZulu-Natal. This has resulted in the relocation of several government offices to Pietermaritzburg. This has generally been welcomed as a positive development for the region. Since 2004, progress such as the modernisation of several buildings in the city centre and a proliferation of retail and housing developments in the suburbs are results of recent investment in the city by both the public and private sectors.
Some of the many Entertainments include; Golden Horse Casino and Liberty Midlands Mall.
Some of the many beautiful surrounding areas include; Albert Falls Nature Reserve, Howick Falls, Midmar Public Nature Reserve, Queens Elizabeth Park and World’s View.
is the largest educational institution in the city.
(shackdwellers) movement, GroundWork, CINDI and the KwaZulu Natal Christian Council.
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality
Msunduzi Local Municipality
Msunduzi Local Municipality is a local municipality in Umgungundlovu District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It encompasses the city of Pietermaritzburg, which is the capital of the KwaZulu-Natal province and the main economic hub of Umgungundlovu District Municipality.Msunduzi...
. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality
Umgungundlovu District Municipality
Umgungundlovu is one of the 11 district municipalities of KwaZulu-Natal province. The seat of Umgungundlovu is Pietermaritzburg. The majority of its 927 834 people speak Zulu...
. Pietermaritzburg is popularly called Maritzburg in English and Zulu
Zulu language
Zulu is the language of the Zulu people with about 10 million speakers, the vast majority of whom live in South Africa. Zulu is the most widely spoken home language in South Africa as well as being understood by over 50% of the population...
alike, and often informally abbreviated to PMB. It is a regionally important industrial hub, producing aluminium, timber and dairy products. It is home to many schools and tertiary education institutions, including a campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal
University of KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal or UKZN is a university with five campuses all located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It was formed on 1 January 2004 after the merger between the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville.-History:-University of...
. It had a population of 228,549 in 1991; the estimated current population is around 500,000 (including neighbouring townships) and has one of the largest population of Indian South Africans in South Africa.
History
The city was originally founded by the VoortrekkersVoortrekkers
The Voortrekkers were emigrants during the 1830s and 1840s who left the Cape Colony moving into the interior of what is now South Africa...
, following the defeat of Dingane
Dingane
Dingane kaSenzangakhona Zulu —commonly referred to as Dingane or Dingaan—was a Zulu chief who became king of the Zulu Kingdom in 1828...
at the Battle of Blood River
Battle of Blood River
The Battle of Blood River, so called due to the colour of water in the Ncome River turning red with blood, was fought between 470 Voortrekkers led by Andries Pretorius, and an estimated 10,000–15,000 Zulu attackers on the bank of the Ncome River on 16 December 1838, in what is today KwaZulu-Natal,...
, and was the capital of the short-lived Boer republic, Natalia
Natalia Republic
The Natalia Republic was a short-lived Boer republic, established in 1839 by local Afrikaans-speaking Voortrekkers shortly after the Battle of Blood River. The republic was located on the coast of the Indian Ocean beyond the Eastern Cape, and was previously named Natalia by Portuguese sailors. The...
. Britain
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
took over Pietermaritzburg in 1843 and it became the seat of the Natal Colony's administration with the first lieutenant-governor, Martin West
Martin West
Sir Martin West was born in England, the son of a civil servant in the Treasury.Martin West studied at Balliol College, Oxford, before joining the British East India Company...
, making it his home. Fort Napier, named after the governor of the Cape Colony
Cape Colony
The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...
, Sir George Thomas Napier
George Thomas Napier
Lieutenant-General Sir George Thomas Napier KCB entered the British army in 1800, and served with distinction under Sir John Moore and the Duke Wellington in the Peninsula--and lost his right arm at the storming of Ciudad Rodrigo, where, as a Major in the 52nd Foot, he led the Light Division's...
, was built to house a garrison. In 1893 Natal received responsibility for their own government and an assembly building was built along with the city hall. In 1910, when the Union of South Africa
Union of South Africa
The Union of South Africa is the historic predecessor to the present-day Republic of South Africa. It came into being on 31 May 1910 with the unification of the previously separate colonies of the Cape, Natal, Transvaal and the Orange Free State...
was formed, Natal became a province of the union, and Pietermaritzburg remained the capital.
Name
There exist two interpretations about the origin of the city's name. One is that it was named after Piet RetiefPiet Retief
Pieter Mauritz Retief was a South African Boer leader. Settling in 1814 in the frontier region of the Cape Colony, he assumed command of punitive expeditions in response to raiding parties from the adjacent Xhosa territory...
and Gert (Gerrit) Maritz, two famous Voortrekker leaders. The other is that it was originally named after Piet Retief alone, since his full name was Pieter Mouriets Retief. In this interpretation the original name was "Pieter Mouriets Burg", later transliterated to the current name (Jenkins, 1971:11).
Retief was killed by Dingane
Dingane
Dingane kaSenzangakhona Zulu —commonly referred to as Dingane or Dingaan—was a Zulu chief who became king of the Zulu Kingdom in 1828...
, successor to Shaka
Shaka
Shaka kaSenzangakhona , also known as Shaka Zulu , was the most influential leader of the Zulu Kingdom....
, king of the Zulus
Zulu Kingdom
The Zulu Kingdom, sometimes referred to as the Zulu Empire or, rather imprecisely, Zululand, was a monarchy in Southern Africa that extended along the coast of the Indian Ocean from the Tugela River in the south to Pongola River in the north....
. Maritz died of illness on 23 September 1838 near the present-day town of Estcourt, some hundreds of kilometres northwest of Pietermaritzburg. This was after the battle with the Zulus at Bloukranz, and Maritz did not ever reach the Pietermaritzburg area. In 1938, however, the city announced officially that the second element Maritz should also honour Gert Maritz.
At the time of the rise of the Zulu Empire, the site that was to become Pietermaritzburg was called Umgungundlovu. This is popularly translated from the Zulu as "Place of the Elephant", although it could also be translated to mean "The elephant wins". Umgungundlovu is thus thought to be the site of some Zulu king's victory, since "Elephant" (Indlovu) is a name traditionally taken by the Zulu monarch. Legend has it that Shaka had his warriors hunt elephant there to sell the ivory to English traders at Durban (then called Port Natal). Today, the town is still called by its Voortrekker name, although the municipality of which it is part bears the Zulu name.
Apartheid
During apartheid, the city was segregated into various sections. 90% of the Indian population was moved to the suburb of Northdale while most of its Zulu inhabitants were moved to the neighbouring townshipTownship (South Africa)
In South Africa, the term township and location usually refers to the urban living areas that, from the late 19th century until the end of Apartheid, were reserved for non-whites . Townships were usually built on the periphery of towns and cities...
of Edendale.
The University
The University of NatalUniversity of Natal
The University of Natal was a university in Natal, and later KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, that is now part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It was founded in 1910 as the Natal University College in Pietermaritzburg, and expanded to include a campus in Durban in 1931. In 1947, the university...
was founded in 1910 as the Natal University College and extended to Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
in 1922. The two campuses were incorporated into the University of Natal in March 1949. It became a major voice in the struggle against apartheid, and was one of the first universities in the country to provide education to black students. This campus boasts association with a remarkable array of world-class academics and has famous alumni distributed throughout the world. It became the University of KwaZulu-Natal
University of KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal or UKZN is a university with five campuses all located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It was formed on 1 January 2004 after the merger between the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville.-History:-University of...
on 1 January 2004.
Mahatma Gandhi
Pietermaritzburg is also famous for an incident early in the life of Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
. In May 1893, while Gandhi was on his way to Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
, a white man objected to Gandhi's presence in a first-class carriage, and he was ordered to move to the van compartment
Baggage car
A baggage car or luggage van is a type of railway vehicle often forming part of the composition of passenger trains and used to carry passengers' checked baggage, as well as parcels . Being typically coupled at the front of the train behind the locomotive, this type of car is sometimes described...
at the end of the train. Gandhi, who had a first-class ticket, refused, and was thrown off the train at Pietermaritzburg. Shivering through the winter night in the waiting room of the station
Pietermaritzburg railway station
Pietermaritzburg railway station is the main railway station in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. It is located on Railway and Pine Streets in the South Western corner of the city centre. The station is a stop on long-distance passenger rail services operated by Shosholoza Meyl...
, Gandhi made the momentous decision to stay on in South Africa and fight the racial discrimination
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
against Indians there. Out of that struggle emerged his unique version of nonviolent resistance
Nonviolent resistance
Nonviolent resistance is the practice of achieving goals through symbolic protests, civil disobedience, economic or political noncooperation, and other methods, without using violence. It is largely synonymous with civil resistance...
, Satyagraha
Satyagraha
Satyagraha , loosely translated as "insistence on truth satya agraha soul force" or "truth force" is a particular philosophy and practice within the broader overall category generally known as nonviolent resistance or civil resistance. The term "satyagraha" was conceived and developed by Mahatma...
. Today, a bronze statue of Gandhi stands in Church Street, in the city centre.
Other historical events
- The first newspaper in Natal, the Natal Witness (now known as The WitnessThe Witness (South African newspaper)The Witness is a daily newspaper published in Pietermaritzburg. It mainly serves readers in Pietermaritzburg and the inland areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is the oldest continuously-published newspaper in South Africa, having first been published on 27 February 1846. Until 2000,...
), was published in 1846. - The 46 hectare Botanic Gardens were created in 1872 by the Botanic Society of Natal.
- The city hall, which is the largest red-brick building in the Southern Hemisphere, was destroyed by fire in 1895, but was rebuilt in 1901.
- The British built a concentration camp here during the Second Boer WarSecond Boer WarThe Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
to house BoerBoerBoer is the Dutch and Afrikaans word for farmer, which came to denote the descendants of the Dutch-speaking settlers of the eastern Cape frontier in Southern Africa during the 18th century, as well as those who left the Cape Colony during the 19th century to settle in the Orange Free State,...
women and children. - During the Second World War, ItalianItalian peopleThe Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
prisoners of warPrisoner of warA prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
were housed in Pietermaritzburg. During their stay, they built a churchPietermaritzburg Italian P.O.W. ChurchThe Pietermaritzburg Italian P.O.W. Church is a provincial heritage site in Pietermaritzburg in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.In 1977 it was described in the Government Gazette as-References:* -External links:* * *...
, which remains standing as a heritage site today. - In 1962, Nelson MandelaNelson MandelaNelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
was arrested in the nearby town of HowickHowick, KwaZulu-NatalHowick is a town located in the uMgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The town is 1050 m above sea level, and about 88 kilometres from the port city of Durban. It enjoys warm summers and cool dry winters. A snappy chill descends upon Howick when snow falls on the nearby...
to the north of Pietermaritzburg. The arrest marked the beginning of Nelson Mandela's 27 years of imprisonment. A small monument has been erected at the location of his arrest.
Capital status
Natal Province
Natal, meaning "Christmas" in Portuguese, was a province of South Africa from 1910 until 1994. Its capital was Pietermaritzburg. The Natal Province included the bantustan of KwaZulu...
. Following the first post-apartheid elections in South Africa, as a result of which the Inkatha Freedom Party
Inkatha Freedom Party
The Inkatha Freedom Party is a political party in South Africa. Since its founding, it has been led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. It is currently the fourth largest party in the National Assembly of South Africa.-History:...
won a majority in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, Pietermaritzburg shared its status as capital of the (then newly created) province of KwaZulu-Natal with Ulundi. Pietermaritzburg became the legislative capital of the new province, while Ulundi became the administrative capital. The IFP, being strongly Zulu nationalist, desired that Ulundi, the capital of the Zulu Kingdom at the time of its fall to the British in the Anglo-Zulu War
Anglo-Zulu War
The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom.Following the imperialist scheme by which Lord Carnarvon had successfully brought about federation in Canada, it was thought that a similar plan might succeed with the various African kingdoms, tribal areas and...
, be the post-apartheid capital of the province. Ulundi had also been the capital of the bantustan
Bantustan
A bantustan was a territory set aside for black inhabitants of South Africa and South West Africa , as part of the policy of apartheid...
KwaZulu
KwaZulu
KwaZulu was a bantustan in South Africa, intended by the apartheid government as a semi-independent homeland for the Zulu people. The capital, formerly at Nongoma, was moved in 1980 to Ulundi....
, which makes up a portion of modern KwaZulu-Natal. However, Ulundi severely lacked the infrastructure to be an effective seat of government, and the African National Congress
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
(ANC) and the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (South Africa)
The Democratic Party was the name of the South African political party now called the Democratic Alliance . Although the Democratic Party name dates from 1989, the party existed under other labels throughout the Apartheid years, when it was the Parliamentary opposition to the ruling National...
, the two other strong political parties in the province, among others, called for Pietermaritzburg alone to be the capital. The debate came to an end when the ANC came to power in the province in 2004, and named Pietermaritzburg the sole capital of KwaZulu-Natal. This has resulted in the relocation of several government offices to Pietermaritzburg. This has generally been welcomed as a positive development for the region. Since 2004, progress such as the modernisation of several buildings in the city centre and a proliferation of retail and housing developments in the suburbs are results of recent investment in the city by both the public and private sectors.
Transport
Pietermaritzburg is on the major road arterial between the Pretoria-Johannesburg-Witwatersrand conurbation and the harbour city of Durban, some 90 kilometres (55.9 mi) from Pietermaritzburg. The city is served by Pietermaritzburg-Oribi Airport. The airport provides domestic air services to Johannesburg and Cape Town. There is also a railway station in the city centre that connects directly to Durban and Johannesburg and indirectly to other major cities in South Africa.Geography and climate
Sport
- The English cricketer Kevin PietersenKevin PietersenKevin Peter Pietersen, MBE is a South African-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional off spin bowler who plays for England and Surrey...
was born in Pietermaritzburg on 27 June 1980. - The Comrades MarathonComrades MarathonThe Comrades Marathon is an ultramarathon of approximately 90 km run in the Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa between the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It is the world's largest and oldest ultramarathon race...
takes place annually in June between Pietermaritzburg and DurbanDurbanDurban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
. It has been run since 1921 and attracts thousands of entrants. The start of the race alternates between the two cities. - The yearly Amashova is a 106 km road cycling classic race held since 1986 which starts in Pietermartizburg and finishes in Durban. It is normally held in October.
- In January there is an annual canoeCanoeA canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
race, Dusi Canoe MarathonDusi Canoe MarathonThe Unlimited Dusi Canoe Marathon is a canoe race between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, South Africa. It is run along the Msunduzi River, which is more commonly referred to as the Dusi river. The 2006 race attracted roughly 2000 paddlers and two to three thousand seconders, helpers and supporters...
, from Pietermaritzburg to DurbanDurbanDurban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
. The route follows the Msunduzi RiverMsunduzi RiverThe Msunduzi River is a river in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is also known by its anglicised name, the Dusi River. The original name, Msunduzi, is isiZulu.The Msunduzi is a tributary of the Mngeni River.-In Pietermaritzburg:...
into the Mgeni River, through the Valley of a Thousand HillsValley of a Thousand HillsThe Valley of a Thousand Hills is a valley between Pietermaritzburg, and Durban, South Africa. The Umgeni River meets the Msunduzi River in the valley, and the Dusi Canoe Marathon is run through the area every year.-External links:*...
into the Inanda Dam and from here to the mouth of the Mgeni River. - The Midmar MileMidmar MileThe Midmar Mile is a swimming race held annually in February at the Midmar Dam north of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Each year, it draws thousands of competitors, from serious international athletes and Olympic medallists to purely recreational swimmers....
is one of the largest open-water swimming events in the world; taking place at Midmar Dam, north of Pietermaritzburg in February every year, it attracts over 16,000 swimmers from around the world. - The most prominent soccer club is Maritzburg UnitedMaritzburg UnitedMaritzburg United is a South African football club based in the city of Pietermaritzburg that currently competes in the Premier Soccer League.-Notable former coaches: Gordon Igesund Ernst Middendorp Trott Moloto Kosta Papic Boebie Solomons...
, which plays in the Premier Soccer LeaguePremier Soccer LeaguePremier Soccer League is the trading name of the National Soccer League of South Africa. The top league is the ABSA Premiership, sponsored by ABSA...
. - The Pietermaritzburg OvalPietermaritzburg OvalCity Oval is a multi-purpose stadium in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. It is currently used mostly for cricket matches and hosted two matches during the 2003 Cricket World Cup. The stadium has a capacity of 12,000 people. It has a tree within the boundary ropes, similar to St Lawrence Ground,...
is considered one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in South Africa, and it hosted two matches during the 2003 Cricket World Cup. - Pietermaritzburg cricket ground is notable as one of the two grounds used regularly for first-class cricket that have a tree within the boundary (the other is St Lawrence GroundSt Lawrence GroundThe St Lawrence Ground is a cricket ground in Canterbury, Kent and is the home of Kent County Cricket Club. It is one of the oldest grounds on which first-class cricket is played, having been in use since 1847...
in CanterburyCanterburyCanterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
, Kent). - Between December 1953 and November 1981, Pietermaritzburg had an international standard motor racing circuit located on the outskirts of the city. The Roy Hesketh circuit measured 1.803 miles (2.9 km). The circuit was named after South African driver Roy Hesketh. During its period of operation it hosted rounds of the South African National Drivers ChampionshipSouth African National Drivers Championship-Champions:...
, the Springbok Series and national Formula AtlanticFormula AtlanticFormula Atlantic is a specification of open wheel racing car developed in the 1970s. It was used in professional racing through the IMSA Atlantic Championship until 2009 and is currently primarily used in amateur racing through Sports Car Club of America Formula Atlantic.-History:The history of...
races. The circuit was also like a second home to Mike HailwoodMike HailwoodStanley Michael Bailey Hailwood, MBE, GM was a British Grand Prix motorcycle road racer regarded by many as one of the greatest racers of all time. He was known as "Mike The Bike" because of his natural riding ability...
. The track was famous for hosting the Easter races as well – a festival of racing over three days. The expansion of the town of Pietermaritzburg eventually led to the redevelopment of the site as a residential and business zone after racing ceased at the end of 1981. The section from Henry's Knee to the top of Beacon still exists, and is undergoing protection from further development as an important piece of Pietermaritzburg's history. - In 2010, the Bmx Racing World Championship took place in the city of Pietermaritzburg between 15 July and 1 August.
Tourist Attractions, Entertainment and Surroundings
Some of the many Tourist Attractions include; The Natal Museum, Tatham Art Gallery, City Hall and SANBI Botanical Gardens.Some of the many Entertainments include; Golden Horse Casino and Liberty Midlands Mall.
Some of the many beautiful surrounding areas include; Albert Falls Nature Reserve, Howick Falls, Midmar Public Nature Reserve, Queens Elizabeth Park and World’s View.
Educational institutions
Pietermaritzburg is served by a number of schools and tertiary institutions. The University of KwaZulu-NatalUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal or UKZN is a university with five campuses all located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It was formed on 1 January 2004 after the merger between the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville.-History:-University of...
is the largest educational institution in the city.
Civil society
Pietermaritzburg is home to a number of prominent civil society organisations including the Abahlali baseMjondoloAbahlali baseMjondolo
Abahlali baseMjondolo , also known as AbM or the red shirts is a shack-dwellers' movement in South Africa which is well known for its campaigning for public housing. The movement grew out of a road blockade organized from the Kennedy Road shack settlement in the city of Durban in early 2005 and now...
(shackdwellers) movement, GroundWork, CINDI and the KwaZulu Natal Christian Council.
Famous residents
- Kork BallingtonKork BallingtonHugh Neville "Kork" Ballington is a Rhodesian-born South African four-time Grand Prix motorcycle road racing World Champion....
, World 250cc and 350cc Motorcycle Champion - Amod CassimjeeAmod CassimjeeAmod Cassimjee was born an educated in Surat, India. He arrived in [South Africa] in 1895 and settled in Pietermaritzburg.-Business:He joined his brother Suleman, trading as Suleman Cassimjee & Co. for a few years. Amod then established his first business in Kranskop. Amod later returned to...
, One of the earliest known Indian settlers who arrived in South Africa as a businessman rather than as part of the slave trade. (b. 1871) - Brendon DedekindBrendon DedekindBrendon Dedekind . He won an international championship gold medal in the 50 m freestyle at the 1999 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. Nicknamed Skinny Man, he competed in two consecutive Summer Olympics for his native country, starting in 1996, when he was a finalist in the 50 m...
, swimmer (b. 14 February 1976) - Jon EkeroldJon EkeroldJon Ekerold is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He is one of the few racers in the modern era to have won a world championship as a privateer without the benefit of a motorcycle manufacturer's support when he defeated Kawasaki factory racing team rider Anton Mang for the 1980 350cc...
, World 350cc Motorcycle Champion - Brett EvansBrett EvansBrett Evans is a South African football defender and midfielder for Premier Soccer League club Ajax Cape Town....
, (b. 8 March 1982) South African Football (soccer) player attended Merchiston Preparatory SchoolMerchiston Preparatory SchoolMerchiston Preparatory School was founded in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in 1892. It was founded by Miss Agnes Rowe and Miss Elizabeth Allan who were inspired by Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, Scotland.-Pupils:...
and Maritzburg CollegeMaritzburg CollegeMaritzburg College, known locally as College, is a public school for boys situated in the city of Pietermaritzburg, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa....
and played for Maritzburg City as an amateur - Adrian FurnhamAdrian FurnhamAdrian Furnham is a South African-born British organisational and applied psychologist, management expert and Professor of Psychology at University College London...
(b. 1953), British-based organisational and applied psychologist and academic - Jonathan HandleyJonathan HandleyCommodore Jonathan Handley is the Deputy Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence.-Naval career:Initially commissioned into submarines as the Cold War was drawing to a close, he transferred back to the surface navy in 1989 and qualified as a Principal Warfare Officer...
, singer-songwriter (b. 5 June 1954), originally from Springs, founder of The Radio Rats who in 1979 had a hit single "ZX Dan" on Radio 5 (now 5FM). - Bessie HeadBessie HeadBessie Emery Head is usually considered Botswana's most influential writer.-Biography:Bessie Emery Head was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, the child of a wealthy white South African woman and a black servant when interracial relationships were illegal in South Africa...
, writer, was born in Pietermaritzburg in 1937. - Butch JamesButch JamesAndrew David "Butch" James is a South African rugby union player. He has represented 40 times and was a member of the team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He also played for Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership...
, Springbok and Natal SharksNatal SharksThe Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby...
rugby player attended Maritzburg CollegeMaritzburg CollegeMaritzburg College, known locally as College, is a public school for boys situated in the city of Pietermaritzburg, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa....
from 1994 to 2000. He played for Colleges' 3rd team and is now the starting flyhalf for the Springboks. - Stratford JohnsStratford JohnsStratford Johns, born Alan Edgar Stratford-Johns, was a popular British stage, film and television actor who is best remembered for his starring role as Detective Inspector Charlie Barlow in the innovative and long-running BBC police series Z-Cars, created by Troy Kennedy-Martin.-Early life:Johns...
, (b. 22 September 1925 – d. 29 January 2002) popular British stage, film and television actor. Left for Britain in 1948. - Charlie Llewellyn, cricketer (b. 29 September 1876), first non-White Test cricketer for South Africa.
- Cuan McCarthyCuan McCarthy-External links:****...
, fast-bowling Springbok cricketer 1929–2000 - Phyllis McCarthyPhyllis McCarthyPhyllis McCarthy was a noted South African breeder of and authority on Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs...
, noted authority and breeder of Rhodesian RidgebackRhodesian RidgebackThe Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog breed developed in Southern Africa, where it was used to hunt Lions. This is most likely why this dog is known for its bravery...
s - Cathcart William MethvenCathcart William MethvenCathcart William Methven was Engineer-in-Chief at Greenock on the Clyde, and appointed in 1888 as Harbour Engineer in Durban. Besides being an architect and able musician, he was, unusually, a gifted landscape artist and produced many fine paintings of Natal scenery. He founded the Durban Art...
(1849–1925), painter, engineer and architect - Greg MinnaarGreg MinnaarGreg Minnaar is a South African World Champion mountain bike racer competing in downhill cycling. Greg first started to get noticed as a world class downhill racer at the age of 17, in 1999, racing select World Cups on a local shop team, aboard a Kona Stab Dee-Lux bike with a...
, three time Downhill World Cup champion (2001, 2005, 2008). He was also crowned Downhill World Champion in 2003. He attended Carter High SchoolCarter High School (South Africa)Carter High School is a coeducational public school in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Carter opened its doors in January 1977 with five teachers and 53 pupils. It has grown into a large school with an enrollment of approximately 1200 pupils and an academic staff of around 50...
. - Bryce MoonBryce MoonBryce Moon is a South African soccer defender and midfielder who plays for Supersport United and the South African national team....
, (b. 6 April 1986) South African Football (soccer) player was born in Pietermaritzburg and played for Pirates (PMB) in his youth - Shaun MorganShaun MorganShaun Morgan Welgemoed is a South African musician known as the lead singer and the lead/rhythm guitarist of the post-grunge rock/alternative metal band Seether.-Early life:...
, lead singer of SeetherSeetherSeether is a post-grunge/alternative metal band from Pretoria, South Africa, formed in 1999. The band is currently signed to Wind-up Records...
, is a former resident of Pietermaritzburg and attended both Merchiston Preparatory SchoolMerchiston Preparatory SchoolMerchiston Preparatory School was founded in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in 1892. It was founded by Miss Agnes Rowe and Miss Elizabeth Allan who were inspired by Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, Scotland.-Pupils:...
and Maritzburg CollegeMaritzburg CollegeMaritzburg College, known locally as College, is a public school for boys situated in the city of Pietermaritzburg, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa....
while he lived there. - Alan PatonAlan PatonAlan Stewart Paton was a South African author and anti-apartheid activist.-Family:Paton was born in Pietermaritzburg, Natal Province , the son of a minor civil servant. After attending Maritzburg College, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Natal in his hometown, followed...
, author of Cry the Beloved Country, was born in Pietermaritzburg. - Kevin PietersenKevin PietersenKevin Peter Pietersen, MBE is a South African-born English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional off spin bowler who plays for England and Surrey...
, cricketer (b. 27 June 1980). - Jonty RhodesJonty RhodesJonathan Neil "Jonty" Rhodes is a former South African Test and One Day International cricketer who played for the South African cricket team between 1992 and 2003.Rhodes was born in Pietermaritzburg, Natal Province, South Africa...
, national cricketer (b. 27 July 1969) - Tom SharpeTom SharpeTom Sharpe is an English satirical author, best known for his Wilt series of novels.Sharpe was born in London and moved to South Africa in 1951, where he worked as a social worker and a teacher, before being deported for sedition in 1961...
, novelist, who described the city as "half the size of a New York cemetery and twice as dead". - Dale StewartDale StewartDale William Stewart is a South African musician, best known as the bass guitarist of the post-grunge band Seether.-Seether:Studio albums*Fragile *Disclaimer *Karma and Effect...
, bassist of Seether, is also a former resident of Pietemaritzburg. - Kevin VolansKevin VolansKevin Volans is a composer associated with the post-minimalist movement in contemporary composition. He was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa on July 6, 1949, and even though he has spent most of his life outside his native country, is the best known South African composer active today.In...
, composer (b. 6 July 1949)
Various
- Built in 1900, the City Hall was then the largest all-brick building in the southern hemisphere. It was declared a national monument in 1969.
- At 14 metres high, the statue Pegasus adorning the entrance of the Golden Horse Casino was the largest statue of a horse in the world.
Sister Cities
| City | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Taichung Taichung -Demographics:Taichung’s population was an estimated 1,040,725 in August 2006. There are slightly more females in the city than males.24.32% of residents are children, while 16.63% are young people, 52.68% are middle-age, and 6.73% are elderly.... |
 TaiwanTaiwan Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following... |
1983 |
| Hampton Hampton, Virginia Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts... |
 United StatesUnited States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
1998 |