Questions about Pietermaritzburg
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why is Pietermaritzburg significant to Mahatma Gandhi?
On the 1st of June 1893, Gandhi was removed from a first-class train carriage in Pietermaritzburg after a white passenger objected to his presence, despite Gandhi holding a valid first-class ticket. Spending the winter night in the station waiting room, he decided to remain in South Africa and resist racial discrimination, a decision that led to his development of Satyagraha, the doctrine of nonviolent resistance. A bronze statue of Gandhi now stands in Church Street in the city centre.
What does the name Pietermaritzburg mean and who is it named after?
Pietermaritzburg is named after two Voortrekker leaders, Piet Retief, whose full name was Pieter Mauritz Retief, and Gerrit Maritz, formally Gerhardus Marthinus Maritz. The city officially confirmed in 1938 that the second element, Maritz, honours Gert Maritz. Neither man ever reached the city: Retief was killed by Dingane in 1838 and Maritz died of illness near present-day Estcourt on the 23rd of September 1838.
What does the Zulu name uMgungundlovu mean?
UMgungundlovu is popularly translated as "Place of the Elephant," though it can also mean "The elephant wins." In Zulu royal tradition, the elephant is a name associated with the monarch, so the name is understood to mark a Zulu king's victory. Legend holds that Shaka sent warriors to hunt elephants at the site to sell ivory to English traders at Port Natal.
When did Pietermaritzburg become the sole capital of KwaZulu-Natal?
Pietermaritzburg became the sole capital of KwaZulu-Natal in 2004, when the ANC came to power in the province. After the first post-apartheid elections the city had shared capital status with Ulundi, serving as the legislative capital while Ulundi was the administrative capital; that arrangement ended when the ANC won the province.
What is the Roy Hesketh Circuit and what happened to it?
The Roy Hesketh Circuit was an international standard motor racing circuit located on the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg, operational from December 1953 to November 1981 and measuring 1.803 miles. Named after South African driver Roy Hesketh, it hosted rounds of the South African National Drivers Championship, the Springbok Series, and national Formula Atlantic races. After racing ceased in 1981, the site was redeveloped as a residential and business zone, though the section from Henry's Knee to the top of Beacon still exists and is under protection.
Which famous athletes were born in Pietermaritzburg?
Pietermaritzburg is the birthplace of rugby World Cup winner Joel Stransky, born on the 16th of July 1967, cricketer Jonty Rhodes, born in 1969, England cricketer Kevin Pietersen, born in 1980, and South African cricketer David Miller, born in 1989. World motorcycle champions Kork Ballington and Jon Ekerold also came from the city, as did the first non-White Test cricketer for South Africa, Charlie Llewellyn, born in 1876.