UMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality

uMhlabuyalingana
Official seal of uMhlabuyalingana
Location of UMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality within KwaZulu-Natal
Location of UMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality within KwaZulu-Natal
Coordinates: 27°1′S 32°44′E / 27.017°S 32.733°E / -27.017; 32.733
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceKwaZulu-Natal
DistrictuMkhanyakude
SeatKwangwanase
Wards17
Government
 • TypeMunicipal council
 • MayorD. A. Ncube
Area
 • Total3,964 km2 (1,531 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[2]
 • Total156,736
 • Density40/km2 (100/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African99.3%
 • Coloured0.1%
 • Indian/Asian0.1%
 • White0.3%
First languages (2011)
 • Zulu95.7%
 • English1.2%
 • Southern Ndebele1.0%
 • Other2.1%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Municipal codeKZN271

uMhlabuyalingana Municipality (Zulu: UMasipala wakwa Mhlabuyalingana) is a local municipality within the uMkhanyakude District Municipality, in the northeastern part of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The municipality is one of the poorest in the country. It encompasses a World Heritage Site and several areas under environmental protection.[4] Areas of conservation and environmental interest within or adjacent to the uMhlabuyalingana area include the Tembe Elephant Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park (a World Heritage Site), the Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park, and the Phongolo Nature Reserve.

The municipality was approximately 98% rural in 2001, with a population of 140,963 inhabitants according to Statistics South Africa. The municipality is made up of at least 99% Black South Africans, most of whom are isiZulu-speaking. The population is very young: 44% were younger than 15, and 77% were younger than 35 years old. Because of its youth, the population is particularly vulnerable to the impact of HIV/AIDS.[4] Towns and major settlement nodes in the area include Emanguzi, Mbazwana, Kwangwanase, Maputa, Mboza, Mseleni and Skhemelele.

  1. ^ "Contact list: Executive Mayors". Government Communication & Information System. Archived from the original on 14 July 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Statistics by place". Statistics South Africa. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Statistics by place". Statistics South Africa. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  4. ^ a b Integrated Development Plan 2008-2009. uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality. Retrieved on Oct 12, 2009.