Kranskop

Kranskop
Kranskop is located in KwaZulu-Natal
Kranskop
Kranskop
Kranskop is located in South Africa
Kranskop
Kranskop
Coordinates: 28°58′S 30°51′E / 28.967°S 30.850°E / -28.967; 30.850
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceKwaZulu-Natal
DistrictUmzinyathi
MunicipalityUmvoti
Area
 • Total
1.48 km2 (0.57 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total
1,514
 • Density1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African86.4%
 • Coloured3.6%
 • Indian/Asian6.5%
 • White2.3%
 • Other1.2%
First languages (2011)
 • Zulu80.6%
 • English9.9%
 • Afrikaans1.5%
 • Other7.9%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
PO box
3268
Area code033

Kranskop is a small town that is situated on the edge of the Thukela River valley in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1894 as Hopetown but following confusion with another town of the same name in the Great Karoo, Northern Cape, the name was changed. Kranskop was chosen and is named after two cliff faces that rise 1,175 metres above the Thukela Valley near the town. The name is an Afrikaans word meaning "cliff head."

The Kranskop rock formation has major significance in local Zulu legend and folklore, for whom it is called "Ntunjambili". The Zulu have ancient stories about a forbidden cave and a hill opening that provides protection from cannibals, but then it closes on those who have entered.[2]

  1. ^ a b c d "Main Place Kranskop". Census 2011.
  2. ^ Zulu Kingdom Tourism