Pietermaritzburg
KwaZulu-Natal

After the Voortrekkers had defeated the Zulus in the Battle of Bloodriver in 1838, they proclaimed the Republic of "Natalia". They founded a settlement on the fertile hills on the river Msindusi to become their capital. It was named after the first Trek leaders Pieter Retief and Gerrit Maritz, who, at first, had concluded a contract with Zulu King Dingaan, which secured them land, but were murdered subsequently. A few years later – in 1843 – the British took the town over and established here their administrative centre for the province of Natal.

The influence of Great Britain can still be seen all over the town, in the wonderful parks and gardens and the imposing colonial buildings in Edwardian and Victorian styles. Prominent is the City Hall from 1893, built from red bricks with a 47 metre high clocktower.

Pietermaritzburg used to be called the "last outpost of the British Empire". Today, the atmosphere is markedly African. And like Durban, Pietermaritzburg's population too has a great Indian portion.

Pietermaritzburg has a population od 450.000 inhabitants and hosts the administration and parliament of KwaZulu-Natal. Pietermaritzburg, however - after the end of the Apartheid era - shares this status of a capital with Ulundi, the centre of Zululand.

Pietermaritzburg is the commercial centre amidst the green hills of the Natal Midlands. The town lies on the N3 freeway between Durban and Johannesburg. It also has the Oribi airport.

Arts & Crafts Market in Pietermaritzburg

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Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal

Pietermaritzburg
KwaZulu-Natal