Pietermaritzburg
In April 1838, a group of Voortrekkers occupied the site that would become Pietermaritzburg. This event followed the murder of Piet Retief and his seventy-strong party at the Zulu capital Mgungundlovu on the 6th of February 1838. The Voortrekkers sought land to settle around Port Natal after this tragedy. A reprisal Wenkommando departed from this location in November 1838 to defeat Dingane at the Battle of Blood River on the 16th of December 1838. The town grew rapidly to become the capital of the short-lived Boer Republic known as Natalia. Britain took over Pietermaritzburg in 1843 making it the seat of the Natal Colony's administration. Martin West became the first lieutenant-governor and made the city his home. Fort Napier was built to house a garrison named after Sir George Thomas Napier governor of the Cape Colony. The name itself remains debated among historians. One interpretation suggests it honored Piet Retief and Gerrit Maritz two Voortrekker leaders. Another theory claims the original name was simply Pieter Mauritz Burg before being transliterated. In 1938 the city officially announced that the second element Maritz should also honor Gert Maritz. Neither Retief nor Maritz ever actually reached the site. Retief was killed by Dingane successor to Shaka king of the Zulus. Maritz died of illness on the 23rd of September 1838 near Estcourt some eighty kilometres northwest of the current town.
On the 1st of June 1893 a young Mahatma Gandhi boarded a train bound for Pretoria while traveling through South Africa. A white man objected to Gandhi's presence in a first-class carriage despite Gandhi holding a valid ticket. The conductor ordered him to move to the van compartment at the end of the train. Gandhi refused and was forcibly removed from the train at Pietermaritzburg. He spent shivering through the winter night in the waiting room of the station. This moment catalyzed his decision to stay in South Africa and fight racial discrimination against Indians there. Out of this struggle emerged his unique version of nonviolent resistance known as Satyagraha. Today a bronze statue of Gandhi stands in Church Street in the city center commemorating the centenary of the incident. Archbishop Desmond Tutu unveiled the statue in June 1993. The railway station remains a significant historical landmark marking where global history shifted direction. The incident transformed a quiet colonial outpost into a birthplace of modern civil rights movements across continents.
During apartheid the city was segregated into various sections forcing population displacements. Ninety percent of the Indian population moved to the suburb of Northdale. Most Zulu inhabitants were relocated to the neighboring township of Edendale. White inhabitants were moved out of those areas entirely. In 1910 when the Union of South Africa formed Natal became a province of the Union. Pietermaritzburg served as one of the capitals of the country until 1994. Following the first post-apartheid elections Inkatha Freedom Party won a majority in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government. Pietermaritzburg shared its status as capital with Ulundi creating a dual-capital arrangement. Pietermaritzburg became the legislative capital while Ulundi became the administrative capital. The IFP strongly desired Ulundi be the post-apartheid capital due to its history as the capital of the Zulu Kingdom during the Anglo-Zulu War. However Ulundi severely lacked infrastructure to function effectively as a seat of government. The African National Congress and Democratic Party called for Pietermaritzburg alone to remain the capital. The debate ended when the ANC came to power in the province in 2004 naming Pietermaritzburg the sole capital of KwaZulu-Natal. This resulted in relocation of several government offices to the city welcomed as positive development for the region.
Until the late 1990s the region was renowned for production of high-quality textile clothing and footwear products. Doc Marten shoes were produced locally before these industries declined due to lower production costs in Asia. Extensive timber plantations and numerous citrus farms surround the city contributing significant output. Hulett's Aluminium contributes substantially to the region's industrial output alongside Willowton cooking oil. The Liberty Group made major investments since 2002 developing the Liberty Midlands Mall area's largest shopping center by gross lettable area. Stay Easy hotel also developed by Liberty adds to commercial growth. Pietermaritzburg is where major South African pizza franchise Debonairs Pizza founded in 1991 began operations. Public sector remains a major employer with local district and provincial government offices located here. Recent investment from both public and private sectors modernized buildings in the city center. Retail and housing developments proliferated in suburbs following political changes in 2004. The city serves as main economic hub of uMgungundlovu District Municipality producing aluminium timber and dairy products.
Pietermaritzburg hosts the Comrades Marathon annually in June between itself and Durban. The race has run since 1921 attracting thousands of entrants each year. Start points alternate between the two cities every year. Savages FC PMB founded in 1882 stands as oldest football club on African continent. Between December 1953 and November 1981 an international standard motor racing circuit operated on outskirts named Roy Hesketh Circuit. The track hosted rounds of South African National Drivers Championship and Springbok Series usually during winter months. Racing ceased at end of 1981 leading to redevelopment as residential and business zone. Former sections from Henry's Knee to top of Beacon still exist undergoing protection as historical site. Joel Stransky born the 16th of July 1967 matriculated from Maritzburg College becoming Springbok and World Cup winner. Jonty Rhodes born 1969 attended Merchiston Prep school then Maritzburg College before national cricket career. Kevin Pietersen born 1980 became English cricketer after attending Maritzburg College. David Miller born 1989 also represents South Africa internationally. Midmar Mile attracts over 16,000 swimmers from around world annually held February at Midmar Dam north of city. Dusi Canoe Marathon runs January following Msunduzi River into Mgeni River through Valley of Thousand Hills.
University of Natal founded in 1910 extended to Durban by 1922. Two campuses incorporated into University of Natal March 1949 becoming major voice against apartheid. It was one of first universities providing education to African students nationally. Institution renamed University of KwaZulu-Natal the 1st of January 2004. City hosts Alexandra High School Carter High School Cordwalles Preparatory School Epworth School Hilton college Michaelhouse Maritzburg College Merchiston Preparatory School Pietermarburg Girls' High School Russell High School St Charles College St John's Diocesan School for Girls St Nicholas Diocesan School Wykeham Collegiate. Notable alumni include Alan Paton author of Cry the Beloved Country born and schooled at Maritzburg College. Bessie Head writer born 1937 in Pietermaritzburg. Kevin Volans composer born the 26th of July 1949 in city. Shaun Morgan lead singer of Seether former resident attended both Merchiston Prep and Maritzburg College. Butch James Springbok rugby player attended Maritzburg College 1994-1996. Craig Joubert international rugby union referee born 1977 attended Merchiston Prep and Maritzburg College. Jesse Kriel Springbok rugby player born 1994 attended Merchiston Prep and Maritzburg College. Zweli Mkhize politician born 1956 lived in Ashburton Pietermaritzburg before becoming Kwazulu-Natal premier.
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Common questions
When was Pietermaritzburg founded by the Voortrekkers?
A group of Voortrekkers occupied the site that would become Pietermaritzburg in April 1838. This event followed the murder of Piet Retief and his seventy-strong party at the Zulu capital Mgungundlovu on the 6th of February 1838.
Why is Pietermaritzburg famous for Mahatma Gandhi?
On the 1st of June 1893 a young Mahatma Gandhi boarded a train bound for Pretoria while traveling through South Africa and was forcibly removed from the train at Pietermaritzburg. He spent shivering through the winter night in the waiting room of the station which catalyzed his decision to stay in South Africa and fight racial discrimination against Indians there.
What happened to Pietermaritzburg during apartheid?
During apartheid the city was segregated into various sections forcing population displacements where ninety percent of the Indian population moved to the suburb of Northdale. Most Zulu inhabitants were relocated to the neighboring township of Edendale while white inhabitants were moved out of those areas entirely.
When did Pietermaritzburg become the sole capital of KwaZulu-Natal?
The debate ended when the ANC came to power in the province in 2004 naming Pietermaritzburg the sole capital of KwaZulu-Natal. This resulted in relocation of several government offices to the city welcomed as positive development for the region.
Which industries contribute to the economy of Pietermaritzburg today?
Until the late 1990s the region was renowned for production of high-quality textile clothing and footwear products before these industries declined due to lower production costs in Asia. Extensive timber plantations and numerous citrus farms surround the city contributing significant output alongside Hulett's Aluminium and Willowton cooking oil.