Maputo River

{{Short description|River in South Africa, Eswatini, and Mozambique}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox river | name = Maputo River | native_name = | native_name_lang = | name_other = ''Great Usutu'', ''Lusutfu'' or ''Suthu'' | name_etymology =  | image = Maputo river.jpg | image_size = | image_caption = Maputo River in Mozambique | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 7 | mapframe-point = none | map_size = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Mozambique | pushpin_map_size = | pushpin_map_caption =  Location of the Maputo River's mouth | subdivision_type1 = Countries | subdivision_name1 = {{hlist|South Africa|Eswatini|Mozambique}} | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 =  | length = | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location = | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max =  | source1 = | source1_location = Amsterdam, Mpumalanga, South Africa | source1_coordinates = | source1_elevation = | mouth = Indian Ocean | mouth_location = Maputo Province, Mozambique | mouth_coordinates = | mouth_elevation = | progression = | river_system = | basin_size = {{convert|29970|km2|abbr=on}} | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = }} The '''Maputo River''' ({{Langx|pt|Rio Maputo}}), also called '''Great Usutu River''', '''Lusutfu River''', or '''Suthu River''', is a river in South Africa, Eswatini, and Mozambique. The name ''Suthu'' refers to Basotho people who lived near the source of the river, but were attacked and displaced by the Swazis.<ref>{{cite book|last = Von Willig|first = G.R.|title = Langs die Lebombo|publisher = J.L. van Schaik, Pretoria|date = 1925|pages = 175, 217}}</ref> It is also said to mean 'dark brown', a description of the river's muddy water.<ref>{{cite book|last = Raper|first = P.E.|title = South African place names|publisher = Jonathan Ball, Johannesburg and Cape Town|date = 2004|pages = 387|isbn = 1-86842-190-2}}</ref> Meanwhile the name Maputo refers to King Mabhudu Tembe, who reigned during the XVIII century at that region.<ref>Kloppers, Roelie J. (2003). The History and Representation of the History of the Mabudu-Tembe (MA thesis). University of Stellenbosch. Retrieved 11 November 2025.</ref>

==Course== The river rises near Amsterdam, Mpumalanga, South Africa, and flows easterly through Eswatini, where it enters the Lebombo Mountains. The 13 km gorge forms the boundary between Eswatini and South Africa. For approximately twenty kilometres, it forms the border between South Africa (province of KwaZulu-Natal) and Mozambique. There, in the Ndumo Game Reserve, it absorbs its largest tributary, the Pongola River. It then meanders through the Mozambican coastal plain and empties into southern Maputo Bay, some 85 kilometres downstream.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Rauken|first1=T.|last2=Kelman|first2=I.|date=2010-10-19|title=River flood vulnerability in Norway through the pressure and release model|journal=Journal of Flood Risk Management|volume=3|issue=4|pages=314–322|doi=10.1111/j.1753-318x.2010.01080.x|issn=1753-318X}}</ref>

In Eswatini, the river is called the Great Usutu or Lusutfu and flows through the towns of Bhunya, Luyengo, Siphofaneni, and Big Bend. The town of Big Bend is near a point in which the river meanders abruptly. The Great Usutu is the largest river in Eswatini, it is the site of Eswatini's lowest point (21 m above sea level), and is known for whitewater rafting. No large towns have been able to form along its banks because of deep narrow valleys and dense forests. It is, however, home to some golf courses, hotels, and nature reserves.

== Tributaries == From the origin to its mouth, in order, tributaries are the: Sihanahana, Bonnie Brook, Mpuluzi, Buhlungu, Umvenvane, Lusushwana, Sidvokodvo, Mkhondvo, Mhlamani, Mzimneni, Mzimphofu, Mhlathuzane, Mtsindzekwa, Nyetane, Funuane, and the Pongola Rivers.<ref>[http://www.dwaf.gov.za/iwqs/rhp/eco/FROC/WMA6UsuthuMhlatuze.jpg Usuthu/Mhlatuze WMA 6]</ref>

== Dams on this river == * Westoe Dam * Lubovane Dam

== See also== * List of rivers of South Africa == References == {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20151002072531/http://www.icp-confluence-sadc.org/riverbasin/97 Maputo River Basin - SADC Water Sector ICP Collaboration Portal] {{Rivers of Mozambique}}

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Category:Maputo River Category:Rivers of Mozambique Category:Rivers of Eswatini Category:Geography of Maputo Category:Mozambique–South Africa border Category:Eswatini–South Africa border Category:International rivers of Africa Category:Border rivers Category:Rivers of Mpumalanga Category:Lowest points of countries