Pinetown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pinetown
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 Pinetown
Location in KwaZulu-Natal
Pinetown
Location in South Africa
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| Country | South Africa |
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Municipality | eThekwini |
| Established | 1849 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 86.15 km2 (33.26 sq mi) |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 144,026 |
| • Density | 1,671.80/km2 (4,329.96/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 67.8% |
| • Coloured | 4.3% |
| • Indian/Asian | 9.3% |
| • White | 18.0% |
| • Other | 0.6% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Zulu | 55.4% |
| • English | 31.4% |
| • Afrikaans | 3.8% |
| • Xhosa | 3.3% |
| • Other | 6.2% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal code (street) |
3610
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| PO box |
3600
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| Area code | 031 |
Pinetown is a city in South Africa. It is part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, which is located just inland from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. The city is about 16 kilometers (10 miles) north-west of Durban. It is also about 64 kilometers (40 miles) south-east of Pietermaritzburg.
Before December 1, 2023, vehicle license plates in Pinetown started with NPN. The "N" stood for Natal, and "PN" for Pinetown.
Contents
History of Pinetown
Pinetown got its name from Sir Benjamin Pine. He was the governor of Natal a long time ago. The town started in 1850 around a place called the Wayside Hotel. This hotel was built in 1849. It was on the main road that wagons used to travel between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. During the Victorian era, Pinetown was known as a place where people went to get healthy.
During the Second Boer War, the British army built a camp in Pinetown. This camp was for Boer women and children.
Many German settlers made Pinetown their home. This is why there is a neighborhood called New Germany. There is also a German Lutheran Church there. Even today, you can find special German cakes in local stores during Christmas. One of the largest monasteries was built south of Pinetown in Mariannhill. It was founded by Abbot Pfanner. This monastery helped the Catholic Church grow a lot in KwaZulu-Natal.
The nearby area of Clermont was a place where only black people lived during the apartheid time. Unlike other areas, people in Clermont owned their land. This gave them more freedom. Because of this, Clermont became a base for important political activists. One famous person from Clermont was the lawyer Archie Gumede. Relatives of the famous music group Ladysmith Black Mambazo also have ties to Clermont.
Geography of Pinetown
Where is Pinetown Located?
Pinetown is at the bottom of Fields Hill. It is next to the uMbilo River. To the east, you'll find Westville. To the south-east, there is Queensburgh. To the north-west, you'll find Kloof. Pinetown is also close to many areas where mostly Indian and Black people live. These include KwaDabeka and Clermont to the north-east. There is also Chatsworth to the south-east. Other nearby areas are Klaarwater, Luganda, Sgubudwini, Mpola, Tshelimnyama, and KwaNdengezi.
What is the Land Like in Pinetown?
Most of Pinetown is hilly. The main part of the city, called the central business district, is quite flat. The eastern parts, like Cowies Hill and the New Germany Nature Reserve, are higher up. They are about 400 meters (1,312 feet) above sea level. In the north, Berkshire Downs in New Germany reaches about 393 meters (1,289 feet). The lowest areas are in the southern parts of Pinetown. They are between 170 meters (558 feet) and 300 meters (984 feet) high.
How Big is Pinetown?
Pinetown is part of the larger eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. For voting, it is in IEC electoral Ward 18. Pinetown covers a large area of 86.15 square kilometers. It stretches from the New Germany area in the north. It goes down to Regency Park and Savannah Park in the south. It also goes from Paradise Valley and Moseley in the east. To the west, it reaches the industrial areas of Westmead and Mahogany Ridge. These areas are at the foot of Fields Hill.
Economy of Pinetown
Major Companies in Pinetown
Two big companies have their main offices in Pinetown. These are SPAR South Africa, which is a grocery store chain, and Educor, which is a company for higher education. There are also smaller local companies in Pinetown. These include Beier Group, which makes special fabrics and safety gear. Manolis Munchies sells snacks. Masscash is a wholesale company owned by Massmart. Powasol makes chemicals.
Industries in Pinetown
Pinetown is one of four main industrial areas in the Durban-Pinetown region. It has many industrial suburbs around it. In the western part, you'll find Westmead, Mahogany Ridge, Alexander Park, and Surprise Farm. In the northern part, in New Germany, there are Falcon Industrial Park, Mountain Ridge, New Germany Industrial Park, and Pineside. To the south, there are Hagart Road Industrial, Southmead, and Mariann Industrial Park. The Pinetown area, especially around Mahogany Ridge, has large storage and shipping centers. Big companies like Clicks, PicknPay, and Woolworths use these centers.
Transport in Pinetown
Public Transport Options
Bus Services
A new fast bus system called GO!Durban was planned to start in September 2019. However, it was delayed. The first part of this system is supposed to connect Pinetown city center with KwaMashu’s Bridge City Mall.
Train Services
Metrorail runs trains for people who travel to work. These trains go between Pinetown and Durban. They pass through Queensburgh on the Old Main Line. This is the old railway line that connected Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Important train stations in Pinetown on this line include Pinetown railway station, Sarnia, Glen Park, and Moseley. Metrorail also has trains from Durban to Cato Ridge. These trains go through Queensburgh, Mariannhill (a southern part of Pinetown), and Mpumalanga. This is on the New Main Line, which is a newer railway line.
Roads and Highways
Pinetown is well-connected to four major freeways. The N3 connects Pinetown to Durban in the south-east. It also connects to Pietermaritzburg in the north-west. The M13, also called King Cetshwayo Highway, links Pinetown to Durban through Westville. It also goes to Hillcrest through Kloof and Gillitts. The M7, known as Solomon Mahlangu Drive, goes south-east and connects to Queensburgh. The M19 goes east and connects to Westville and Durban.
The town also has several important local roads. The M1 (Henry Pennington Road) goes to Chatsworth. The M5 goes to KwaDabeka and KwaMashu in the north, and Queensburgh in the south-east. The M32 (Rodger Sishi Road) goes to Westville in the east. The M31 (Josiah Gumede Road) is the main street of the town. It goes towards Cowies Hill. The M34 (Hans Dettman Highway) goes to Shallcross in the south.
Toll Roads in Pinetown
The N3 is managed by a company called N3 Toll Concession. This road has a toll section called the Mariannhill Toll Route. This means you have to pay money to use it. If you are coming into Pinetown from the west on the N3, or if you are heading west towards Pietermaritzburg, you will pass through the Mariannhill Toll Plaza. This is just west of Pinetown. The M13 is a road you can use instead. It runs between Paradise Valley (east of Pinetown) and Key Ridge (west of Pinetown). This road does not have a toll, so you can use it to avoid paying.
Shopping in Pinetown
Pine Crest Centre is the biggest shopping mall in Pinetown. It is located at 17 Kings Road. It first opened around 1988 and was called the Sanlam Center. In 2017, a company called Vukile bought it. They made it bigger and better. Now it has over 100 stores for you to explore.
Education in Pinetown
One of the five campuses of the University of KwaZulu-Natal is in Pinetown. It is on the corner of Henry Pennington Road and Mariannhill Roads. This campus is called Edgewood. It was started in the 1970s as a college to train teachers. It had excellent facilities for teaching art, music, drama, science, and physical education.
In 2001, Edgewood College became part of the University of Natal. Then, in 2004, the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville joined together. They formed the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Edgewood became the new university's fifth campus. The Edgewood campus is now fully dedicated to training teachers. It is one of the largest places in South Africa that produces new teachers. Here, you can study for a four-year Bachelor of Education (B Ed) degree. You can also get a one-year Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) if you want to teach. The campus also offers other courses for teachers already working. You can also study for higher degrees like Honours, Masters, and Doctorates. The library at Edgewood is specially designed for students studying education.
Schools in Pinetown
Here are some schools in Pinetown:
- Pinetown Boys' High School
- Pinetown Girls' High School
- Savannah Park Secondary School
- St Benedict School Pinetown (this is an independent school)
Pre-Schools in Pinetown
Here is a pre-school in Pinetown:
- Kokkewiet Pre Pimêre Skool - This school teaches in Afrikaans.
Healthcare in Pinetown
Pinetown has several medical places:
- St Mary's: This is a government hospital in Mariannhill.
- Life Crompton Hospital: This is a private hospital.
- Medicross: This is a private medical center.
Sport in Pinetown
Cricket Club
The Pinetown Cricket Club started in 1873. People believe it is the oldest cricket club in KwaZulu-Natal. It might even be one of the oldest in South Africa. The club used to be at the Civic Centre in central Pinetown. Now it is at Lahee Park. Between 1974 and 1979, Lahee Park hosted ten important cricket games. Famous players like Norman Crookes and Tertius Bosch have played for the club. Khaya Zondo and Cameron Delport, who played for the Dolphins team in 2010, are also linked to the club.
Comrades Marathon
Pinetown is on the route of the very popular Comrades Marathon. This is a long running race. The race goes along the Old Main Road from Westville. It then goes over Cowies Hill, past the Civic Centre, and on to Fields Hill. Sometimes it goes the other way too. This event always brings out many people to watch.
