# Mtunzini

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Place in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Mtunzini Mtunzini Show map of KwaZulu-Natal Mtunzini Show map of South Africa Coordinates: 28°57′S 31°45′E / 28.950°S 31.750°E / -28.950; 31.750 Country South Africa Province KwaZulu-Natal District King Cetshwayo Municipality uMlalazi Area [1] • Total 10.43 km2 (4.03 sq mi) Population (2011)[1] • Total 2,199 • Density 210.8/km2 (546.1/sq mi) Racial makeup (2011) [1] • Black African 25.1% • Coloured 1.2% • Indian/Asian 1.3% • White 72.0% • Other 0.4% First languages (2011) [1] • English 48.9% • Afrikaans 33.5% • Zulu 14.6% • Other 2.9% Time zone UTC+2 (SAST) PO box 3867 Area code 035

**Mtunzini** ([Zulu](/source/Zulu_language): *eMthunzini*, from *umthunzi* meaning "a place in the shade"[2]) is a small coastal town that is situated almost exactly halfway along [KwaZulu-Natal](/source/KwaZulu-Natal)'s coastline in [South Africa](/source/South_Africa) approximately 140 km north of [Durban](/source/Durban). In 2011, the town's population was 2,199.[3]

## Name

The name is a word in the [Zulu language](/source/Zulu_language) meaning *place in the shade.*

## History

After the breakup of the [Zulu Kingdom](/source/Zulu_Kingdom) after the [Anglo-Zulu War](/source/Anglo-Zulu_War), [Sir Garnet Wolseley](/source/Garnet_Wolseley%2C_1st_Viscount_Wolseley) created 13 'kinglets' - with two strategically located as buffer zones between [Port Natal](/source/Durban) and [Zululand](/source/Zulu_Kingdom). One of these kinglets was [John Dunn](/source/John_Dunn_(1834-1895)) who used Mtunzini as his capital.

In 1948, 9 square kilometres of dune forests, lakes and lagoon at Mtunzini was proclaimed a nature reserve known as the [Umlalazi Nature Reserve](/source/Umlalazi_Nature_Reserve). This area falls under the protection of the [Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife](/source/Ezemvelo_KZN_Wildlife) (previously known as Natal Parks Board). The Umlalazi Lagoon is a popular tourist attraction for watersports enthusiasts and fishermen alike. Recreational and commercial ski-boat fishermen also launch their boats in the lagoon to head for the [Indian Ocean](/source/Indian_Ocean) via the mouth of the Umlalazi River.

In 2002, Mtunzini became a landing point for the [SAFE](/source/SAFE_(cable_system)) state of the art [Optical fiber](/source/Optical_fiber) [Submarine communications cable](/source/Submarine_communications_cable), linking [Melkbosstrand](/source/Melkbosstrand) to the West with Saint Paul ([Réunion](/source/R%C3%A9union)), Baie Jacotet ([Mauritius](/source/Mauritius)), Cochin ([India](/source/India)) and [Penang](/source/Penang) ([Malaysia](/source/Malaysia)).

In 2009, Mtunzini became a landing point for the [SEACOM](/source/SEACOM_(African_cable_system)) cable, and in 2010 Mtunzini became the landing point for the [EASSy](/source/EASSy_(cable_system)) cable.

## Tourism

Mtunzini is a bird watchers paradise and is renowned as one of the few places where one of South Africa's rarest birds of prey, the [palm-nut vulture](/source/Palm-nut_vulture), is found. These birds feed on the fruit of the [rafia palm](/source/Raphia_australis) which produces its fruit once every twenty years before dying. Visitors can enjoy a walk through the lush vegetation at the Rafia Palm Monument, which features a raised boardwalk that meanders through to the magnificent palms.

Mtunzini boasts, among other attractions, pristine beaches, a 9-hole golf course at the Mtunzini Country Club, AA-Event and Guest House,[4] numerous bed-and-breakfast establishments as well as a range of camping, caravanning and other self-contained holiday accommodations. The beach is **not** protected by shark nets due to Mtunzini's proximity to a shark breeding ground populated by [Zambezi sharks](/source/Bull_shark) as well as many others. This fact notwithstanding, the waves at Mtunzini are described by surfers as being some of the better ones to surf on the North Coast.

## Gallery

		- Umlalazi Lagoon at dusk

		- Mtunzini Beach

		- *[Anaciaeschna triangulifera](/source/Anaciaeschna_triangulifera)*

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-census2011_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-census2011_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-census2011_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-census2011_1-3) ["Main Place Mtunzini"](http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/589132). *Census 2011*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Zululand | Mtunzini"](http://www.zulu.org.za/destinations/zululand/mtunzini). *www.zulu.org.za*. Retrieved 2019-11-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Main Place Mtunzini](https://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/589132). *Census 2011*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [aa-events.co.za](http://www.aa-events.co.za)

## External links

- [Homepage of Mtunzini Country Club](http://www.mtunzinigolfclub.co.za)

- [Homepage of Mtunzini](http://www.mtunzini.co.za)

- [Home of KZN Wildlife](http://www.kznwildlife.com/)

- [SEACOM Link to South Africa](https://web.archive.org/web/20090205204322/http://seacom.mu/network/sAfrica.html)

- [AA-Events and Guest House](http://www.aa-events.co.za)

v t e Municipalities and communities of King Cetshwayo District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal District seat: Richards Bay uMhlathuze eMpangeni eSikhawini Felixton Richards Bay King Cetshwayo District within South Africa uMlalazi aMatikulu eShowe Gingindlovu Mbongolwane Mtunzini Nkandla Nkandla Mbonambi KwaMbonambi Ntambanana Bhucanana Heatonville Mthonjaneni Melmoth

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mtunzini](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mtunzini) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mtunzini?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.