Harding, South Africa

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Harding
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Harding
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Harding
Coordinates: 30°35′S29°53′E / 30.583°S 29.883°E / -30.583; 29.883
Country South Africa
Province KwaZulu-Natal
District Ugu
Municipality uMuziwabantu
Area
[1]
  Total
25.18 km2 (9.72 sq mi)
Population
 (2011) [1]
  Total
9,544
  Density380/km2 (980/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2023)
[1]
   Black African 77.3%
   Coloured 19.5%
   Indian/Asian 11.3%
   White 3.1%
  Other2.8%
First languages (2023)
[1]
   Zulu 57.4%
   Xhosa 36.6%
   English 12.6%
   Afrikaans 3.8%
  Other4.7%
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.

Contents

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

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Main Place Harding". Census 2011.
  2. "Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (Public Domain)". Human Science Research Council. p. 198.
  3. 1 2 Conolly, Denis (1975). The Tourist in South Africa. Travel-Guide (PTY) LTD. ASIN   B0000E7XZN.
  4. https://www2.kznhealth.gov.za/standrewshospital.htm