Harding, South Africa
Harding | |
|---|---|
Harding Harding | |
| Coordinates: 30°35′S 29°53′E / 30.583°S 29.883°E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| District | Ugu |
| Municipality | uMuziwabantu |
| Area | |
• Total | 25.18 km2 (9.72 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 9,544 |
| • Density | 380/km2 (980/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2023) | |
| • Black African | 77.3% |
| • Coloured | 19.5% |
| • Indian/Asian | 11.3% |
| • White | 3.1% |
| • Other | 2.8% |
| First languages (2023) | |
| • Zulu | 57.4% |
| • Xhosa | 36.6% |
| • English | 12.6% |
| • Afrikaans | 3.8% |
| • Other | 4.7% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal code (street) | 4680 |
| PO box | 4680 |
| Area code | 039 |
Harding is a town situated in the Mzimkulwana River Valley on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
History
Harding was established as a military outpost following the British annexation of East Griqualand in 1874. Named after Sir Walter Harding (c. 1812–1874) who in 1858 became the first Chief Justice in Natal.[2] It was declared as a township in 1911.[3]
Geography
Harding lies at the foot of the Ingeli Range, 58 kilometres (36 mi) east of Kokstad, 34 kilometres (21 mi) north-west of Izingolweni, and 84 kilometres (52 mi) north-west of Port Shepstone.[3]: 256
Economy
Timber and dairy farming form the backbone of the local economy, with extensive timber plantations surrounding Harding and the nearby town of Weza, located approximately 16 km to the south-west.
The abandoned 122 kilometres (76 mi) narrow gauge Alfred County Railway used to serve the farming areas, linking Harding with Port Shepstone.
Law and government
Harding is situated in the uMuziwabantu Local Municipality, forming part of the Ugu District Municipality and functions as the municipal seat for the uMuziwabantu Local Municipality which governs Harding, Weza and its surroundings.
Healthcare
St Andrews Hospital is a 210-bed district hospital situated east of the Harding CBD, that mainly serves the Harding, Weza and surrounding rural communities within the uMuziwabantu Local Municipality and in the neighbouring uMzimkhulu Local Municipality as well as nearby rural communities in the Eastern Cape Province such as Mbizana.[4]
Transport
Roads
Harding is bypassed by the N2, routing traffic heading east from Kokstad towards Izingolweni and Port Shepstone. The town can be accessed by turning off the N2 onto three main access points, namely Murchison Street (from the east and west) and Hawkins Street (from the north). Hawkins Street continues further south towards Mbizana in the Eastern Cape as a small rural road named the P59.
References
- ^ a b c d "Main Place Harding". Census 2011.
- ^ "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (Public Domain)". Human Science Research Council. p. 198.
- ^ a b Conolly, Denis (1975). The Tourist in South Africa. Travel-Guide (PTY) LTD. ASIN B0000E7XZN.
- ^ https://www2.kznhealth.gov.za/standrewshospital.htm