Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal

Newcastle is the third-largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The city is KwaZulu-Natal's industrial centre. The majority of its citizens reside in Newcastle East in the main townships of Madadeni and Osizweni, with the balance residing in Newcastle West (the two sides of Newcastle are separated by the N11 Road). Set at the foothills of the northern KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg Mountains, Newcastle is located in the northwest corner of the province along the Ncandu River.

Newcastle is the seat of the local municipality as well as being the seat to the Amajuba District Municipality. Newcastle's municipal area is , ranking Newcastle as South Africa's tenth-largest city, and consists of 31 wards.

The N11 and R34 are the principal roads linking the city to the rest of South Africa.

History

Toponymy

Newcastle has changed names on numerous occasions during the country's historic rule. It was initially named Post Halt Number 2 on military maps during the 1840s, as postal coaches stopped here to obtain fresh horses on the journey between Durban (then Port Natal in Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek) and Johannesburg. It was later known as the Waterfall River Township because of the Ncandu River. Newcastle received her name after the British Colonial Secretary, the fifth Duke of Newcastle, a British aristocrat, and not the city in England as some believe. During the Anglo-Boer War, Newcastle was invaded by Boer forces on 14 October 1899, and the entire district was incorporated into the Transvaal Republic. Newcastle's name lasted for a period of seven months when it was renamed to Viljoensdorp after the commander of the Johannesburg Commando, General Ben Viljoen. However, after relief of Ladysmith under the command of General Redver Buller, the British forces reclaimed the name back to Newcastle.

Establishment

Newcastle (then Post Halt Number 2) was strategically placed in 1854 by the Surveyor-General of the Natal Colony, Dr. P.C. Sutherland on the banks of the flooded Ncandu River. In 1864, Newcastle was founded on the site, becoming the fourth settlement to be established in Natal after Durban, Weenen and Pietermaritzburg.

War and British rule

In 1876, Fort Amiel was constructed to ward off the Zulus during the war. In 1873 Newcastle became a separate electoral division. To commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond (60th) Jubilee the construction of a sandstone town hall started in 1897, and was completed two years later. The town was used as a depot by the British during both the First and Second Boer War. Newcastle functioned as a major transport junction and stopover for wagons and post chaises during the late 19th century.

British preparation work for the Pretoria Convention of 1881 was done at Newcastle.

The Industrial Era

In 1890, the first train arrived in Newcastle, and the town was declared a borough in 1891. The discovery of coal brought a new era of prosperity and several ambitious building projects were planned. In 1920, the Union Steel Corporation built the provinces first steel plant, which later became the ISCOR South Works and subsequently decommissioned the plant after the ISCOR North Works was built, now Arcelor Mittal Newcastle Works today.

Newcastle today

Today, Newcastle is the main commercial and industrial centre in northern KwaZulu-Natal, and is the province's third-largest city. Continuous development has seen this city grow in prominence, and the municipality is striving to make the city sustainable by 2030. The city is the gateway to the Zulu Kingdom from the Free State and Mpumalanga.

Geography and climate

Located at approximately above sea level, Newcastle is located in the northwest corner of the province of KwaZulu-Natal at the foothills of the northern Drakensberg mountains. The city has a temperate climate and is classified under the country's 'Cold Interior'. Temperatures in Newcastle often drop below freezing during the winter months, with snowfall often experienced at least twice a decade. Newcastle's summer temperatures have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in the recent past due to the 2015 El Niño weather phenomenon, with the region experiencing drought conditions after 28 years.

Demographics

Zulus form the largest single ethnic group. Due to its past, Newcastle has a large number of British, Afrikaner, and Indian people, with several places of worship and spiritual organizations based in the city's suburbs.

Since the mid-1980s, the city has seen an influx of Chinese nationals. While making up a small percentage of Newcastle's population, they have contributed extensively to the economy. With approximately 200 Chinese-owned businesses, they have left their mark on Newcastle making it a leader in the textile and plastic manufacturing industries. The abolishing of Apartheid has seen the establishment of the Buddhist Light Association's Mediation Centre and Chinese School on Victoria Road.

Since 1995, Indian nationals, Pakistan nationals, and African foreign nationals have also flocked to the city in search of a better life.

Economy

From the 1880s, Newcastle experienced constant economic growth. Today, Newcastle has the largest concentration of commerce & industry in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

This city serves the surrounding towns of Utrecht, Vryheid, Dannhauser, Glencoe and Dundee, maize, livestock and dairy farmers and country at large with an extensive amount of resources, products and goods some of which are also for export.

Industry

The city has 4 industrial areas, namely Riverside Industrial, Airport Industrial, Madadeni Industrial Estate, & Arcelor Mittal Newcastle Works. Newcastle's economy is strong, being dominated by heavy industry, clothing & textile, services, and engineering industries. There is also considerable coal mining in the area.

Although the Arcelor Mittal steelworks, the Natal Portland Cement (NPC) slagment cement plant, the LANXESS Chrome Chemical Plant and the Karbochem synthetic rubber plant (which covers of manufacturing space) dominate the Newcastle industrial portfolio, there is a wide range of manufacturing undertakings contributing to the success of the region. Heavy engineering works firms such as DCD Venco and Boschpick Engineering supply ancillary services to these large concerns, and undertake work throughout the region and country as a whole. Newcastle has welcomed many Chinese and Taiwanese businesspeople into the region, with the addition of over a hundred textile factories located in Riverside Industrial and Madadeni Industrial Estate.

In 2011 Independent Power South Africa (IPSA) converted the old Ngagane Power Station into the Newcastle Cogeneration Plant, an 18 MW gas fired powerstation that provides a dedicated power supply to the Karbochem Plant.

An indication of the industrial future of Newcastle is reflected in the chrome chemical plant, which was completed in Newcastle during 2002. This joint venture project between Karbochem and German speciality chemical manufacturing giant LANXESS has made Newcastle the largest producer of chrome chemicals in Africa. The company announced an investment of €40 million in 2012 towards the construction of an innovative CO2 plant (Cansolv chemical process) at its site.

Arcelor Mittal Newcastle produces over 1.5 million tons of long steel products annually, and as part of its commitment to Newcastle undertook a major reline on the N5 Blast Furnace in 2015 to the tune of R1.8 billion.

In mid-2014, a portion of Airport Industrial was renamed to Newcastle Chemical Park, this being the home of African Amines (Pty) Ltd, Karbochem (Pty) Ltd, KC Energy (Pty) Ltd, LANXESS (CISA) (Pty) Ltd, Newcastle Co-generation (IPSA), and South African Calcium Carbide (Pty) Ltd.

Other large operations include firms such as Formosa Plastics and Nova Clothing, both of which manufacture goods for the country's leading retailers, diamond-cutting works, various engineering concerns, and building industry-related services such as brick manufacturing, roofing systems, and steel reinforcement.

Retail

Newcastle has a very strong local trade scene, which is boosted by the surrounding towns of Utrecht, Vryheid, Dannhauser, Glencoe, Dundee, and Ladysmith.

Despite the development of decentralized shopping malls and centres around Newcastle, it's CBD still continues to trade strongly. The city has various major shopping facilities spread throughout, the most notable being the award-winning Newcastle Mall adjacent to the Blackrock Casino, Amajuba Mall, Newcastle Corner, Victorian Mall, Village Walk, Scott Street Mall, The Factory Plaza, Taxi City, Ithala Shopping Centre, Madadeni Crescent, Eyethu Junction Shopping Centre in Madadeni, and Theku Plaza in Osizweni.

Buildings and roads

Recent development in Newcastle include the new multi-storey Civic Centre, Victorian Mall expansion, the Meadowlands Estate in Madadeni, the Vulintaba Country Estate in the Drakensberg outside Newcastle, Newcastle Corner, and the Equarand mixed-use precinct.

Constant roadworks are undertaken to ensure free traffic flow around the city. Recently the D96 was rebuilt, the Allen Street Bridge and widening of Allen Street along Trim Park was completed, Link Road extension Phase 1 completed, and Albert Wessels Drive extension Phase 1 completed. Phase 2 of the latter are currently in planning stages.

Proposed future projects include the Newcastle Technology Hub, expansion of the Newcastle Airport, and the re-alignment of the N11 bypass south of Newcastle by SANRAL.

Tallest structures

Industrial

*Arcelor Mittal
Arcelor Mittal has a number of tall structures exceeding in height. The most notable on Newcastle's skyline include:
The 2 stacks are tall.
The N5 blast furnace is tall.
The coke ovens are tall.

*Newcastle Co-generation Plant
The 2 stacks are tall.
The 4 cooling towers are tall.

*Natal Portland Cement
The lift structure for the main 4 silos is tall.

*Newcastle Chemical Park
This facility has several tall industrial structures and stacks above in height.

Telecommunications

The Signal Hill Tower is tall.

Buildings

*Arcelor Mittal Head Office Building: 10 storeys - structural height is & top of antenna is .
*DBM Building: 9 storeys - structural height is & top of antenna is .
*Newcastle Civic Centre: 9 storeys - structural height is .

Tourism

As Newcastle is on the alternate route to travellers from Gauteng to Durban, attempts have been made to capture potential tourist revenue by enticing travellers to visit the scenic and historic Battlefields Route where war once rage
Battlefields Route Website
Apart from a few hotels, there are many guesthouses and bed & breakfasts providing luxurious accommodation. Historic places of interest in Newcastle on this route include:
*Newcastle City Hall
*The Carnegie Art Gallery
*Haggards Hilldrop House
*The Armoury
*Newcastle Cemetery
*Hindu Shiva Temple
*Chief Albert Luthuli and the Blaauwbosch Methodist School and Church
*King Dinuzulu & the Old Prison
*Maharaj House
*Fort Amiel Museum
*O'Neills Cottage
*Majuba Mountain

Transport

Road

Newcastle is well connected to Gauteng & the provinces coastal ports of Durban and Richards Bay on two main routes. The N11 is the principal road running through the city connecting it south to the N3 to Durban and north to the N4 to Gauteng, and through the provinces of Mpumalanga & Limpopo, and eventually to the border at Groblersbrug.

The R34 connects Newcastle to Gauteng via the N3 and the Free State to the west, and east to the port of Richards Bay via Vryheid and Empangeni.

Rail

Newcastle lies on the main passenger and goods railway line between Johannesburg and Durban. The city has a large rail siding and cargo facility.

Airport

Newcastle has one airport which is located approximately away from the city centre. Chartered flights provide daily service, and a full service with one of the country's airlines is in planning.

Taxis and buses

Minibus taxis are the most affordable and quickest form of transport for the majority of the population for those residing in Newcastle East. These are owned by taxi associations, and in the recent years inter-operator violence has flared up from time to time, especially as turf wars over lucrative taxi routes resulting in the deaths of many taxi operators.

Apart from the thousands of taxis that traverse the city streets daily, Transnat Coach Lines & Stabus (subsidiaries of Tans Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd) are the largest bus operators in Newcastle.

Society and culture

Galleries

* The Carnegie Art Gallery, represents South African artists as well as local artists. This historic building falls within city's Civic Precinct.

Museums, monuments and memorials

* Fort Amiel Museum, a typical Victorian frontier fort, is a National Heritage Site.

Music

Newcastle is home to the Northern KwaZulu-Natal Youth Choir – a provincial choir of international repute.

The annual Vodacom Winter Festival aka 'Newcastle Show', provides a platform for South African bands and singers and attracts visitors from the entire region. Notable performers who performed for the event include Matthew Mole, Cassper Nyovest, Majozi, Snotkop, and Jo Black.

Places of worship

Newcastle has all of the major religious organizations represented. Churches, temples, and mosques can be found throughout the city. Landmarks include the NG Kerk on York Street, and the Hindu Shiva Temple on Kirkland Street. Built in 1903, the temple is reputed to have the largest cella dome of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. It is claimed that in 1913 Mahatma Gandhi prayed here while leading the march from Newcastle to the Transvaal.

The Darul Uloom on St Thomas Street, an institute of higher Islamic studies, is yet another landmark in Newcastle's diverse community with a modern mosque on the premises.

Sport

Newcastle remains a venue for major sports competitions and conferences because of the facilities the city has to offer. A variety of rugby, cricket, soccer, squash, tennis, swimming, and other sport facilities has contributed to its ability to host both national and international events.

Stadia

Newcastle has numerous multi-purpose stadia around the city, which are mostly used to host local sport competitions, school sports and inter-school sports. These accommodate soccer, cricket, rugby, squash, tennis, and volleyball.

The most notable of these are the Newcastle Swimming Pool, Arbor Park Grounds, Paradise A & B, and the Madadeni Sports Stadium.

Swimming

Newcastle has 5 public swimming pools. The Olympic-sized Newcastle Swimming Pool in Sunnyridge (previously Ferrum Swimming Pool) has in the recent past hosted the All-Africa Development Gala.

Sports complex

Located in Arbor Park, this modern complex has indoor and outdoor facilities, with a bowling green.

Wrestling

Newcastle Wrestling Academy is one of the top wrestling clubs in KwaZulu-Natal.

Fishing

Newcastle is home to the Challengers Angling Club. An annual angling competition is held to assist local charities.

Rugby

The local rugby club is the Newcastle Highlanders Rugby.

Soccer

On the soccer front, Newcastle is home to Stella Football Club, which over the years has produced players to represent the province and country.

Cricket

Newcastle has a local cricket league, and matches are hosted at various stadiums around the city.

Golf

Newcastle has 3 golf courses: one 18 hole golf course - Newcastle Golf Club, and two 9 hole golf courses - Kilbarchan Golf Club and Vulintaba Country Estate.

Horse riding

Newcastle has a horse riding club and training course.

Parks and recreation

Ntshingwayo Dam

Established in 1975, Ntshingwayo Dam (previously Chelmsford Dam) is the third-largest in the province. Located approximately South West of Newcastle on the Ngagane River, Ntshingwayo Dam is Newcastle's main source of water supply. The surrounding reserve covers an area of 6,500 ha. and is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

The 1,500 ha Game Park has a range of highveld game and bird viewing is common. The park also features the largest population of the rare oribi in South Africa. Guided game drives are provided, subject to prior arrangement with management.

Sailing, powerboating, water-skiing and swimming are all popular past times on the 3,400 ha. dam. The dam is known as a fishing destination for both hobby and competition anglers, with carp, barbel, and scaly the most commonly caught.

Amcor Dam

This small dam lies on the Ncandu River in the suburb of Ncandu Park. Amcor dam has various recreation facilities, including playgrounds, swimming pools, and braai areas, and is popular on public holidays and weekends. It is also home to the Newcastle Caravan Park.

Newcastle Golf Course

The Newcastle Golf Course is located in the suburb of Barry Hertzog Park. The course offers a mashie course, driving range, has 18 holes, a clubhouse, and restaurant.

Ncandu State Forest

The Ncandu State Forest Reserve is located west of Newcastle and is the second biggest indigenous forest in the province, and is filled with grassy plains and Yellowwood gorges. There are many little streams running through the forest that meet the Ncandu River where trout is plentiful. This is the ideal place for a scenic stroll or relaxing horse ride. Many trails run through the reserve through sandstone cliffs and the majestic waterfalls, and allow for fabulous birding opportunities. Access to the viewpoints is either by boat or boardwalks where the views are simply stunning.

Parks

The city has many public parks within its suburbs offering a break from city life, the most notable being Trim Park and The Gardens on Hospital Street.

Trim Park is located north of the CBD along the Ncandu River. It is often frequented on weekends and holidays, and is used for hosting picnics and barbecues.

The Gardens on Hospital Street offers a large grassy garden with large shady trees, and is located in the suburb of Newcastle Central. The park is used by Newcastillians to walk their pets and play in a free environment. The Gardens are popular on wedding occasions as they offer backdrops for photographs to be taken.

Urban play parks

This type of park was created to provide playing facilities for the youth in a secure, green play zone. Kids can play unsupervised by parents as they are under the watchful eye of park security.

Education

Primary and secondary education

The city is home to numerous major primary and high schools, both government and private. With private schooling on the increase in South Africa, there has been a recent influx of private schools varying in size.

Newcastle High School and St. Dominic's Academy Newcastle are two of the city's most prestigious schools.

Ferrum High School is one of the best schools in the city.

Meridian Newcastle, a leading independent school (part of Curro Schools) has been established in Madadeni, a township of Newcastle, to cater for the increased need of quality education in the east of the city.

Newcastle schools are home to several buildings that have been declared National Monuments, the most famous being The Pavilion at St. Dominic's Academy which was designed by Brother Nivard Streicher and built in 1912.
It was declared a monument in 1977 by Dr. Piet Koornhof.

Established in 1882, Newcastle High School is the oldest school in the area. The original school buildings are still in use today as the school's administration block.

Both the Newcastle Brass Band and the Northern KwaZulu-Natal Youth Choir are based in Ferrum High School.

Zama High School in Osizweni is considered among the best schools in the whole of Amajuba District when it comes to learning and teaching. Newcastle's main townships of Madadeni and Osizweni are home to schools such as Osizweni High School, Indonsa Technical High School, St. Lewis Bertrand’s High School, Bethamoya High School, Phendukani High School, Siyamukela High School, Thubelihle High School, Sesiyabonga High School and Ikhwezi High School. Sabela Senior Secondary School is the only high school situated in Madadeni Section 5 which is mostly popular for athletics as the school's main sporting code.

Other schools in Newcastle include Newcastle Islamic Collage, Amajuba High School, Tugela High School, St Oswald's Secondary (the oldest school of Indian origin), and Lincoln Heights Secondary School. Some junior schools include Hutten Park Primary, Drakensberg Primary, Newcastle Senior Primary, Busy-Bee and Arbor Park Primary, Lennoxton Primary, S.E. Vawda Primary, Suryaville Primary and Chelmsford Primary.

Tertiary education

Majuba FET College has 5 separate campuses around Newcastle, and one in the surrounding town of Dundee.

Qualitas Career Academy, a national private college has a campus in the CBD. It caters for full-time and part-time studies for students, as well as corporate training and consulting services for businesses and government departments.

UNISA, Damelin, and Boston City Campus & Business College have satellite campuses in Newcastle.

Medical

Newcastle has three hospitals, two government & one private: Newcastle Provincial Hospital (186 beds), Madadeni Hospital (1620 authorized beds, 1154 usable beds) and Mediclinic Newcastle (254 authorized beds, 186 operational beds). There are also several clinics and specialist physicians in almost every field.

In addition, the La Gratitude Home for the Aged provides retirement and care facilities for the elderly.

There are also 16 government clinics in Osizweni and Madadeni, caring for the health of the broader community.

Media

Print

Caxton Community Newspapers is a major printer and publisher of newsprint materials in the region. Major newspapers include the ''Newcastle Advertiser'', ''Newcastle Sun'', ''Amajuba Eyethu'', ''Agrieco'', and the ''Northern Natal Get It Magazine''. Other local publications include Tabloid Media's ''Newcastle Express''.

Online media

Pixelfish Marketing Solutions (Pty) Ltd owns and produces the Newcastillian - Online News, an independent, leading news product. The digital news medium services the Newcastle, Northern KwaZulu-Natal, and KwaZulu-Natal communities.

Broadcasting

Newcastle Community Radio is an independent local radio station broadcasting to Newcastle from their studio in Madadeni on 103.7f
Newcastle Community Radio Website

Radio 034 is an online radio station located in Newcastle.

Lit Radio ZA is an online radio based in Madadeni Section 2, targeting local youth and other issues that affect the community.

Suburbs

Mixed-race residential

*Amajuba Park
*Amiel Park
*Arbor Park
*Aviary Hill
*Barry Hertzog Park
*Hutten Heights
*Ingagane
*Ncandu Park
*Newcastle Central
*Pioneer Park
*Schuinshoogte
*Signal Hill
*Sunnyridge

Former 'Indian' residential

*Fernwood
*Ghandi Park
*Lennoxton
*Paradise
*Richview
*Sunset View
*Suryaville

Former 'Coloured' residential

*Fairleigh
*Lenville

Townships

*Blaauwbosch
*Cavan
*Claremont
*Dicks Halt
*Eastbourne
*Fulathela
*Inverness
*Jakkalspan
*Kwamathukuza
*Lekkerwater
*Leslie
*Madadeni - Sections A to P
*Mndozo
*Osizweni - Sections A to F
*Emaskral

Mixed-use areas

*Equarand
*Newcastle CBD
*Vlam
*Vulintaba

Industrial zones

*Airport Industrial
*Arcelor Mittal North Works
*Madadeni Industrial Estate
*Riverside Industrial

International relations

Newcastle has been internationally connected since the Industrial Era, and is today home to many international industries, the most well-known being steel giant Arcelor Mittal, chrome chemical companies Bayer & Lanxess, synthetic rubber manufacturer Karbochem, and heavy engineering firm DCD Venco.

Furthermore, since the late 1980s Newcastle has built a strong relationship with mainland China and also Taiwan following the influx of Chinese nationals in the mid-1980s. To date, China has invested in approximately 100 factories in Newcastle, employing thousands of workers.

Twin towns / sister cities

Newcastle is part of a global community of Newcastle
Newcastles of the World Website
being the third-largest Newcastle in the world by population. Newcastle was part of the 1998 summit of worldwide cities named "New Castle" with:

Newcastle is twinned with:

* Nanchang, China (since 2010)

References

External links

Newcastle Community Website

Newcastle Municipality Website

Amajuba District Municipality Website

KZN Tourism Website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Newcastle, Kwazulu-Natal
Populated places in the Newcastle Local Municipality
Populated places established in 1864
Mining communities in South Africa