Area Guide Northen KwaZulu Natal
While it might not get as much attention as the rest of the province, Northern KwaZulu Natal should not be overlooked by visitors or those looking to buy property in KwaZulu Natal. The area is home to the thirds biggest city in the province, while being a key commercial hub for South Africa.
Before coal was discovered in Newcastle it was used a depot for both Boer Wars, however it wasn’t until the discovery that the city really started to blossom. Although the coal mining industry still plays a major role, the overall area has become an industrial hub and is home to, among others, Mittal Steel South Africa. The city also has the distinct honour of producing the largest amount of chrome chemicals in Africa, thanks to a joint venture involving Karbochem and Bayer.
The growth of the city has seemingly had a direct impact on the demand for property and as such, prices of property for sale in Vryheid, Newcastle and other towns in the area have risen sharply in recent times.
Set at the foothills of the mighty Drakensberg, Northern KwaZulu Natal is home to some of the most picturesque scenery in the province, and preservation of the environment and its heritage is important to residents. This is partly because of the fact that it’s the gateway to Zulu Kingdom from the Free State and Mpumalanga, and the city has also undertaken an endeavour to make it entirely sustainable by 2030.
Northern KwaZulu Natal is home to numerous tourist attractions, including the Newcastle City Hall, the Battlefields Route, Majuba Mountain, The Armoury and The Carnegie Art Gallery. For those looking at an alternative to the stereotypical KwaZulu Natal lifestyle, the northwestern corner of the province is a fantastic place to start, either to invest in or to visit as a holidaymaker, with so much to see and do, it certainly will be worth the time and effort.
