Umhlali

Umhlali (Zulu: eMhlali) is a village on the North Coast of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, just inland from Salt Rock and approximately 50 km north-west of Durban. The name of the village, "Umhlali" derives from the Zulu name of the Monkey Orange tree - a small semi-deciduous tree that is predominant along the banks of the uMhlali River, north of the village. [2]

Umhlali
eMhlali
Umhlali is located in KwaZulu-Natal
Umhlali
Umhlali
Umhlali is located in South Africa
Umhlali
Umhlali
Coordinates: 29°28′39″S 31°13′07″E
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceKwaZulu-Natal
DistrictiLembe
MunicipalityKwaDukuza
Area
[1]
 • Total2.26 km2 (0.87 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total338
 • Density150/km2 (390/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
[1]
 • Black African48.2%
 • Indian/Asian14.8%
 • White36.7%
 • Other0.3%
First languages (2011)
[1]
 • English45.0%
 • Zulu31.7%
 • Afrikaans6.5%
 • Other6.1%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
4390
PO box
4390

History

[3]

The village of Umhlali, was established by British and Scottish Byrne settlers in 1850 and was originally Fort William, as it was the site of a fort.[4]

It was later renamed Umhlali which is the Zulu name for the Monkey Orange tree, which grew plentifully along the banks of the uMhlali River but it was also locally referred to it as the “place of waiting” because settlers and locals would have to wait on the banks before crossing the river on a northward journey.

At that time, the nearby coastal town of Ballito was a small coastal village consisting of a few beach shacks whilst Umhlali was the hub of the farming community with the heart of the village being the bustling main road (the current R102 route) consisting of a bank, post office, supermarket, hairdresser, car dealership, farmers’ co-op and the Lali Hotel. Until the new retail developments launched in Ballito, Umhlali was initially one of the only places in the Dolphin Coast locally to buy groceries, collect post, do banking, fill up with petrol and go to school.

A significant landmark in Umhlali, Umhlali Preparatory School, which opened its doors on 11 February 1918, still exists alongside the R102 main road and is still a highly esteemed and popular school on the Dolphin Coast today.[5]

Today

Today Umhlali still remains a quaint sugar-producing village, mostly supported by the surrounding sugarcane farms and industry. It is one of the few very settlements along the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal that has remained unaffected by the rapid urban expansion in the region.

Umhlali consists of a post office, petrol station, Coastal Farmer's Co-Op, a small lifestyle centre named Sugar Village, small cafes and restaurants, automotive services and agricultural stores amongst other facilities.[6][7][8]

Geography

Located in the hilly countryside, Umhlali lies just south of the uMhlali River after which it is named after. The village is positioned approximately 3 km south of Shakaskraal (north of the uMhlali River), 3 km west of the coastal village of Salt Rock and 9 km north-west of the coastal town of Ballito. [9]

Umhlali also forms part of the Dolphin Coast which incorporates Ballito, Shaka’s Rock, Salt Rock, Tinley Manor, Zinkwazi Beach and Shakaskraal.

Infrastructure

Rail

Umhlali is served by the Umhlali Railway Station which is situated on the North Coast Line (Durban- KwaDukuza Line) and is operated by Metrorail with the North Coast Line trains running northwards to Shakaskraal, Groutville and KwaDukuza (Stanger) and southwards to oThongathi (Tongaat), Verulam and Durban.

Roads

Umhlali lies at the junction of the R102 and Salt Rock Road. The R102 bisects the village in a north–south direction heading north towards Shakaskraal and KwaDukuza and south towards oThongathi, while Salt Rock Road connects Umhlali with Salt Rock to the east and provides access to the N2 toll freeway heading north from Durban towards KwaDukuza.

References
  1. "Main Place Umhlali". Census 2011. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  2. "Umhlali". www.sa-venues.com. Archived from the original on 2022-07-04. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  3. "A Brief History of Umhlali". Sugar Village, Umhlali. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  4. amyjenkins (2018-08-12). "Umhlali - What's in a name?". North Coast Courier. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  5. "Umhlali Preparatory School". Umhlali Preparatory School. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  6. "Umhlali". www.sa-venues.com. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  7. "Sugar Village, Umhlali". Sugar Village, Umhlali. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  8. "Branches". Coastals. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  9. "Travel South Africa". distancecalculator.co.za. Archived from the original on 2022-11-10. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
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