Pietermaritzburg Area Information

Pietermaritzburg at a glance

Pietermaritzburg at a glance

Known as the "City of Flowers" for its azaleas and roses, Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in KwaZulu-Natal. Founded in 1838, there are still many well-preserved late 19th-century government buildings in the city, such as the historic Old Supreme Court building. The city is a major producer of Aluminium, timber, and dairy products. Pietermaritzburg is the Capital City of Kwa-Zulu Natal, and is home to many government departments and offices.

Pietermaritzburg plays host to many sports events, annual outdoor festivals as well as the Royal Agriculatural Show. Since 1921 the Comrades Marathon has been taking place annually in June between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, which attracts thousands of entrants. The city also hosts many downhill mountain biking events at the Cascades Forests, which sees an influx of both national and international visitors. The Dusi Canoe Marathon has its start in PMB and ends in Durban, whilst the Midmar Mile takes place at Midmar Dam in Howick, just fifteen minutes up the N3 highway. The main race of the Amashova Cycle Race has its start in Pietermaritzburg.

The town is well known for its Rugby. Woodburn Stadium is currently used for most club rugby fixtures. Former Springbok and World Cup Winner Joel Stransky was born in Pietermaritzburg and also matriculated from Maritzburg College.

Fascinating surrounding areas include; Albert Falls Nature Reserve, Howick Falls, Midmar Public Nature Reserve, Queen Elizabeth Park and World's View.
Exciting events to look forward to in Pietermaritzburg include; Royal Agricultural Show, Garden and Leisure Show, Art in the park, Cars in the park, Alexandra Flea market, Comrades Marathon, Midmar Mile, Horse racing at the Scottsville Race Track, downhill mountain biking & BMX world championships.

A brief history of the area
The city of Pietermaritzburg was founded by the Voortrekkers, following the defeat of Dingane at the Battle of Blood River. It served as the capital of the short-lived Boer republic, Natalia, until Britain took over in 1843. Fort Napier, named after the governor of the Cape Colony, Sir George Thomas Napier, was built to house a garrison. The first newspaper in Natal, the Natal Witness (now known as The Witness), was published in 1846. In 1893, Natal received responsibility for their own government. In 1962, Nelson Mandela was arrested in the nearby town of Howick. This marked the beginning of Nelson Mandela's 27 years of imprisonment. After his arrest, Mandela was taken to the Old Prison in Pietermaritzburg. Pietermaritzburg is also where Mahatma Ghandi was removed from the first-class carriage of a train, and is home to a statue of the great anti-Apartheid leader.

Infrastructure
Pietermaritzburg is located on the N3 highway, the primary route between the harbour city of Durban, about 90 kilometres away, and Pretoria-Johannesburg-Witwatersrand. The R33 connects Pietermaritzburg with Lephalale via Greytown, Paulpietersburg, Carolina, Belfast and Vaalwater to the northeast. The R56 connects Pietermaritzburg with Cape Town via Ixopo, Kokstad, Mthatha, East London, Port Elizabeth, George and Mossel Bay to the southwest. The R56 road becomes co-signed with the N2 highway at Stafford's Post. The R103, or "Old Main Road", extends all the way from the coast, through Pietermaritzburg and up into the Natal Midlands, and is the original access route for the area. 

Climate
Pietermaritzburg and its surrounds often vary quite significantly in their own micro-climates; for example Howick is around 3 - 4 degrees cooler than Pietermaritzburg on any given day, whilst Hilton is known for its afternoon and evening mists, and for being very wet. The area enjoys sunny, warm and wet summers, and cold, dry winters. Many old-timers still mark the passing of the seasons by significant weather events such as the first rains, first frost, etc.

Schools in the area
Pietermaritzburg and the surrounding areas are home to some of the finest educational facilities in the country, which are steeped in tradition. These include St Charles College, Hilton College, Michaelhouse, and Maritzburg College which are all-boys' schools. The city is home to prominent girls' schools such as Epworth, St Johns Diocesan School, St Anne's, and The Wykeham Collegiate. Some of the prominent co-ed facilities in the area include Grace College, Carter High School, and Voortrekker High School. There are also a number of significant prep schools, such as Laddsworth, Cordwalles, and Cowan House.

Some of the tertiary institutions in the area are Varsity College, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN), Durban University of Technology (DUT), uMngungundlovu TVET College, Boston City Campus and UNISA.
Tertiary institutions include: University of KwaZulu-Natal and Durban University of Technology, Umgungundlovu TVET College, Varsity College, and Rosebank College.

Hospitals nearby
Pietermaritzburg is well known for its extensive list of sought-after medical facilities and hospitals. Some of which include Mediclinic Pietermaritzburg, Saint Anne's Hospital, Edendale Hospital, Life Hilton Private Hospital, Northdale Hospital, Midlands Medical Centre, Grey's Hospital, Netcare St Anne's Hospital, Fort Napier Hospital, and Daymed Private Hospital.

Shopping Malls
The city of Pietermaritzburg has a range of shopping malls to choose from. They include the Liberty Midlands Mall, Hayfields Mall, The Mall at Scottsville, Greater Edendale Mall, Northway Mall, The Quarry Centre, Brookside Mall, Parklane Shopping Centre, Cascades Shopping Centre, Victoria Road Shopping Centre, Mayors Walk Centre, Victoria Road Centre, Laager Centre, City Square Centre, Polly Shorts Pick n Pay Centre, and Capital Centre.

Distance from key points (Airport/CBD)
Oribi Airport serves the city and immediate surrounding areas, including the Midlands. Oribi airport offers daily flights to Cape Town and to Johannesburg for those whose work takes them across the country, and these have become two very popular routes; you will often find the same people flying to Jo'burg in the morning, and then back to Pietermaritzburg in the afternoon, having finished their meetings. Pietermaritzburg is about an hour and a half (102,7 km) via the N3 and N2 to King Shaka International Airport in Durban.

Restaurants
Pietermaritzburg has a fine array of popular eateries which range from the nationals you would expect to find around the country, to independent fine dining establishments. Some of these include John Dory's, RocoMamas, Mugg & Bean, and Panarottis, Burger King, Cinnabon, and Pizza Hut. You will also find the likes of Rockafellas, Jayz Grill, Essence Café, Crossways in Hilton, Taste of Thai, Coffeeberry Café, the Black Olive, and Tandoor Kitchen

Special Attractions
Pietermaritzburg is well known for its scenic beauty, historical sites, top quality schools, key sporting stadiums, top restaurants, and more. The city has many attractions if you were looking for something to do over the weekend. Key places to visit include:

Albert Falls Game Reserve
Established in 1975, the protected area is located near Pietermaritzburg and Cramond. Albert Falls Dam is known as for being one of the best bass fishing dams in the world. The area surrounding the falls have an abundance of secluded nature trails and picnic spots.

Golden Horse Casino
One of two casinos in the World to be situated on a racecourse, Golden Horse offers a wide range of entertainment from gaming to events, nightlife, dining and children's activities. Dubbed as the "most vibrant and exciting entertainment venue in Pietermaritzburg", the casino plays host to a myriad of events and shows throughout the year including the Tsogo Sun Sprint and Annual Eastern Extravaganza.

The Natal Museum
Situated south of Pietermaritzburg's City Hall, the Natal Museum is one of South Africa's five national museums, set in a pristine building that dates back to 1905. The museum showcases the cultural, historical and natural wonders of the country and the world. Its exhibitions include fascinating displays of insects, amphibians, mammals, birds and molluscs. They also have a life-size model of a Tyrannosaurus rex on display.

Midlands Meander
The Midlands Meander route is situated between the city of Pietermaritzburg in the East and the majestic uKhahlamba Drakensberg mountain range (a World Heritage Site) in the West, in the uMgungundlovu district, one of eight regions of the 'Zulu Kingdom'. It is a collection of arranged routes that offer visitors hospitality in truly beautiful surroundings, outstanding accommodation, conference and wedding facilities, fascinating local events, fabulous cuisine and restaurants, revitalizing outdoor activities and over-the-top adventure sports, historic landmarks, wildlife conservation, and best of all "shop-till-you-drop" unique arts and crafts.

The Weeping Cross of Delville Wood
Located in the Pietermaritzburg Garden of Remembrance, the mystical annual occurrence in The Weeping Cross is a reminder of the blood sacrifice of South Africans during The Battle of Delville Wood. Every year, in July on the anniversary of the battle itself, a cross made from wood recovered from the shattered trees of the battlefield inexplicably 'weeps blood'. Legend stated that it would weep until the last survivor of Delville Wood answered the 'Sunset Call'; however, when the last survivor died some years back the cross continued to weep 'blood'.

Time to invest
Pietermaritzburg is a city of many different faces which appeals to both young and old. Its rich historical roots are a wonder on their own. Culturally diverse, economically productive, and with all the history one could ask for, why not consider making this vibrant city your new home. Contact Jawitz Properties now to find your dream home in Pietermaritzburg.