Queensburgh Explained

Queensburgh
Pushpin Map:South Africa KwaZulu-Natal#South Africa
Coordinates:-29.8667°N 86°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:South Africa
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:KwaZulu-Natal
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Type3:Municipality
Subdivision Name3:eThekwini
Subdivision Type4:Main Place
Established Title:Established
Leader Title:Councillor
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:22.88
Population Total:54846
Population As Of:2011
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Racial makeup (2011)
Demographics1 Title1:Black African
Demographics1 Info1:23.8%
Demographics1 Title2:Coloured
Demographics1 Info2:1.6%
Demographics1 Title3:Indian/Asian
Demographics1 Info3:53.8%
Demographics1 Title4:White
Demographics1 Info4:20.2%
Demographics1 Title5:Other
Demographics1 Info5:0.6%
Demographics Type2:First languages (2011)
Demographics2 Title1:English
Demographics2 Info1:70.0%
Demographics2 Title2:Zulu
Demographics2 Info2:14.3%
Demographics2 Title3:Afrikaans
Demographics2 Info3:7.5%
Demographics2 Title4:Xhosa
Demographics2 Info4:4.3%
Demographics2 Title5:Other
Demographics2 Info5:4.0%
Timezone1:SAST
Utc Offset1:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code (street)
Postal Code:4093
Postal2 Code Type:PO box
Postal2 Code:4070
Area Code Type:Area code

Queensburgh is a town in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa that is situated inland (southwest) from Durban and now forms part of eThekwini, the Greater Durban metropolitan area.

History

The hilly area was settled by people working in Durban who wanted to escape the humidity of the coastal city. In 1924, four residential townships in the area, Malvern, Escombe, Northdene and Moseley (now forms part of Pinetown) combined to form the town of Malvern. In 1952, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne, Malvern received municipality status and changed its name to Queensburgh.

Geography

Queensburgh is situated approximately 9 kilometres (6 mi) south-west of the Durban CBD, with much of the town situated between the uMbilo River to the north and the uMhlatuzana River to the south. Its neighbouring towns/cities are Pinetown to the west, Westville to the north-east, Durban to the east and Chatsworth to the south.[2]

Suburban areas

Queensburgh is the collective name of a few smaller suburbs situated on the undulating hills south-west of Durban, mainly encompassing the suburbs of Northdene, Malvern and Escombe.

The 2011 census divided the urban area of Queensburgh into eight “sub places” including:[3]

Transport

Rail network

Metrorail operates commuter trains on the two commuter lines that pass through Queensburgh, namely the Old Main Line in the centre and the New Main Line to the south.

Old Main Line, the older main railway line between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, has train stations in Queensburgh at Northdene, Escombe, Malvern and Poet’s Corner. New Main Line, the newer main railway line between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, has train stations in Queensburgh at Shallcross, Burlington and Cavendish.

Road network

The main freeway through Queensburgh is the M7, also known as Solomon Mahlangu Drive (previously Edwin Swales VC Drive) which runs from the Bluff in the east to Pinetown in the north-west with exits at Bellville Road and Main Road. In passing Queensburgh it also gives access to the N3 and N2 freeways.

Main Road, designated as the M5, is the main local arterial through Queensburgh leading north towards Pinetown and east towards Bellair in Durban. Stella Road, designated as the M10, is a local arterial leading east towards Bellair too.

Demographics

Queensburgh has a diverse population. The suburb has a significant Indian population who moved to the area from neighbouring townships after apartheid had ended.

English is the dominant language followed by Zulu, Afrikaans and Xhosa.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Main Place Queensburgh . Census 2011.
  2. Web site: Distance Queensburgh, EThekwini, Kwazulu-Natal, ZAF > Durban, EThekwini, Kwazulu-Natal, ZAF - Air line, driving route, midpoint . 2022-11-04 . www.distance.to . en-us.
  3. Web site: Census 2011: Main Place: Queensburgh . 2023-03-02 . census2011.adrianfrith.com.