The Msinga Region

Msinga Local Municipality is an administrative area in the Umzinyathi District of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The name means a current in the sea where air movement causes ripples on top of the water surface and ends up influencing the nearby climatic conditions through its breeze.

 

Msinga is largely located in deep gorges of the Tugela and Buffalo Rivers, isolated from the immediate surrounding municipal areas.The population dynamics result in a growing rural area and a declining urban area in Msinga, contrary to most other areas in the country. This can be attributed to the fact that the urban areas of Msinga are very small and are unable to provide the normal range of goods and services provided in urban areas.

Although the area has its challenges, there are historic sites, beautiful scenery and interesting topography in some parts, suitable for cultural and eco-tourism. Furthermore, the local communities are generally creative in arts, crafts and music (Umasikandi).

 

Attention must be given to the formation of local partnerships for the development and marketing of the local tourism potential. To this end the Msinga Community Tourism Organisation has been established. The municipality has opportunities to develop  existing ventures such as the existing game farms to the northwest of the municipality linking with the Rorke's Drift and Isandlawana battlefields attractions, and the Tugela Biosphere to the southwest of the municipality.

Rorke's Drift, situated 46 km southeast of Dundee, and is the site of one of the most famous battles of the Anglo-Zulu War. At Rorkes Drift the men were rewarded for their bravery with no less than 11 Victoria Crosses, the most number of Victoria Crosses ever to be won in a single battle. Today the centre is also a remarkable for its Zulu handicrafts. 

Read more