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History of Umhlanga

History of Umhlanga

Date: 2012-08-29
The name 'Umhlanga' means 'place of reeds' in the Zulu language.

Originally home to San hunter-gatherers, the area south of the Tugela River (incorporating present-day Umhlanga) was later occupied by Nguni-speaking people who were unified under King Shaka in the early 1800s into the proud Zulu nation. The area came under British control soon after, becoming part of the large estate belonging to the great sugar magnate, Sir Marshall Campbell, who sailed to South Africa from Glasgow in 1850. Indian indentured labourers were brought in to work on the sugar estates in 1860, bringing with them a vibrant and colourful culture, giving the area its unique multicultural flavour.

In 1869, Umhlanga's first beach cottage was built on a rocky site overlooking the sea and in the true spirit of Umhlanga hospitality tea and scones were served to passers-by. The reflective roof of the cottage was also used as a beacon by passing ships' captains to navigate safely around Umhlanga's rocky headland. However, the cottage was converted into the Oyster Box hotel in the 1930s and in 1953 Umhlanga's distinctive red and white lighthouse was built to warn mariners away from the dangers of the rocks. The first hotel in Umhlanga was built in the 1920s by Virginia, daughter of Sir Marshall Campbell. Other hotels soon followed these two and the village of 'Umhlanga Rocks' became the most sought-after area for locals to visit during their holidays. The rest, as they say, is history.