Kingsburgh is a coastal resort town along the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, approximately 32 kilometres (20 miles) south-west of Durban.
History
Originally known as Southern Umlazi, it became a township in October 1942 and reached borough status in August 1952. Probably named after Richard Philip (Dick) King (1811-1871) who rode along here from Durban to Grahamstown on horseback to secure assistance for beleaguered British troops in 1842.
Kingsburgh today
Today Kingsburgh is one of the few fortunate suburbs of Durban to have maintained much of its original character as a quaint coastal town even with its loss of isolation to Durban. As a result, the coastal town now serves as a commuter suburb of Durban offering an attractive laid-back coastal lifestyle far enough from the city life of Durban but close enough to the city and its amenities.
Geography
Situated along the Sapphire Coast, Kingsburgh is one of Durban’s southernmost suburbs and is roughly as far as one can go in the Greater Durban metropolitan area before it dissolves into rolling rural areas and sugarcane fields. It is bordered by Amanzimtoti to the north and the rural areas of Umgababa to the south and Illovo North to the west.
Amanzimtoti and Kingsburgh, though separate, have virtually become one southern addendum to Durban and more often than not both towns are spoken about in the same breath. Kingsburgh is often referred to as being part of the Greater Amanzimtoti area as they share the same postal code.
Suburban areas
Kingsburgh is the collective name of a number of suburbs located between Amanzimtoti and Umgababa and mainly comprises the following seaside holiday resorts:
Doonside
Illovo Beach
Karridene
Warner Beach
Winklespruit
It also comprises the following high-lying suburbs situated to the west of the N2: Astra Park Doonheights Illovo Glen Shulton Park St Winifreds
Economy
Tourism
The economy of Kingsburgh is heavily reliant on tourism in the form of hotels and holiday accommodation that dominate the coastline. Hospitality establishments of note include the ATKV Natalia Resort and the Villa Spa Holiday Resort, both in Illovo Beach and Protea Hotel Karridene Beach in Karridene.
Retail
Shopping in the coastal suburb of Warner Beach is characterized by typical high streeet shopping with the majority of the shops situated along Kingsway. There are two main shopping malls in Winklespruit serving Kingsburgh: Kingsburgh Centre and DSM Mall, both situated along Kingsway. However, the neighbouring town of Amanzimtoti contains larger shopping centres that offer a wider variety of retail outlets such as the Galleria Mall, Arbour Crossing and Seadoone Mall.
Transport
Rail
The South Coast Line, the main commuter line between Durban and Kelso runs past Doonside station, Warner Beach station, Winklespruit station, Illovo Beach station and Karridene station. Metrorail operates services on the South Coast Line to Durban, Amanzimtoti, Isipingo, Umkomaas, Scottburgh and Kelso.
Road
Kingsburgh is served by one freeway namely the N2 connecting Durban to the north with Port Shepstone to the south and passes through the area with exits at Sbu Mkhize Drive and Seadoone Road. The major arterial route is the R102 connecting Kingsburgh with Amanzimtoti, Umgababa and Umkomaas and passes along the coast as Winklespruit Road and Andrew Zondo Road (previously named Kingsway). Of importance is also the R603 connecting Kingsburgh with Umbumbulu and Umlaas Road and is an alternative route to the N3 for travel between Kingsburg and Pietermaritzburg.