Msinga | |
---|---|
Country | South Africa |
Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
District | uMzinyathi |
Seat | Tugela Ferry |
Wards | 19 |
Government | |
• Type | Municipal council |
• Mayor | Felinkosi Joshua Sikhakhane (IFP) |
Area | |
• Total | 2,501 km2 (966 sq mi) |
Population (2011)[2] | |
• Total | 177,577 |
• Density | 71/km2 (180/sq mi) |
Racial makeup (2011) | |
• Black African | 99.6% |
• Coloured | 0.1% |
• Indian/Asian | 0.1% |
• White | 0.2% |
First languages (2011) | |
• Zulu | 96.1% |
• Southern Ndebele | 1.3% |
• Other | 2.6% |
Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
Municipal code | KZN244 |
Msinga Municipality (Zulu: UMasipala wase Msinga) is a local municipality within the Umzinyathi District Municipality, in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Msinga is an isiZulu word meaning "a current in the sea where air movement causes ripples on top of the water surface and ends up influencing the nearby climatic conditions through its breeze".[4] The municipality is largely located in deep gorges of the Tugela and Buffalo rivers, isolated from the immediate surrounding municipal areas.[5] The population dynamics result in a growing rural area and a declining urban area in the municipality, contrary to most other areas in the country.[5] This can be attributed to the fact that the urban areas of municipality are very small and are unable to provide the normal range of goods and services provided in urban areas.[5]
It is a poverty stricken area with few economic resources and little economic activity. Social services and private households generate 29% of the income for the area.[5]