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 betweenEstablishment
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 afterWar and British rule
In 1876, Fort Amiel was constructed to ward off theThe 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 northernDemographics
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 theRetail
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 byTallest 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 rageTransport
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 oneTaxis 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 ChallengersRugby
The localSoccer
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.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),Media
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 103.7fSuburbs
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 *SunnyridgeFormer 'Indian' residential
*Fernwood *Ghandi Park *Lennoxton *Paradise *Richview *Sunset View *SuryavilleFormer 'Coloured' residential
*Fairleigh *LenvilleTownships
*Blaauwbosch *Cavan *Claremont *Dicks Halt *Eastbourne *Fulathela *Inverness *Jakkalspan *Kwamathukuza *Lekkerwater *Leslie *Madadeni - Sections A to P *Mndozo *Osizweni - Sections A to F *EmaskralMixed-use areas
*Equarand *Newcastle CBD *Vlam *VulintabaIndustrial zones
*Airport Industrial *Arcelor Mittal North Works *Madadeni Industrial Estate *Riverside IndustrialInternational 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 NewcastleReferences
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