Tongaat

Tongaat
Aerial view of Tongaat
Tongaat  Tongaat shown within KwaZulu-Natal
Location within Durban  Tongaat
Coordinates: 29°34′00″S 31°07′00″E / 29.56667°S 31.11667°ECoordinates: 29°34′00″S 31°07′00″E / 29.56667°S 31.11667°E
Country	South Africa
Province	KwaZulu-Natal
Municipality	eThekwini
Established	1945
Area[1]
• Total	11.72 km^2 (4.53 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
• Total	42,554
• Density	3,600/km^2 (9,400/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
• Black African	41.1%
• Coloured	1.2%
• Indian/Asian	56.7%
• White	0.4%
• Other	0.5%
First languages (2011)[1]
• English	59.3%
• Zulu	32.3%
• Xhosa	3.6%
• S. Ndebele	1.0%
• Other	3.8%
Postal code (street)	4399
PO box	4400
Area code	032

Tongaat is a sugarcane growing township in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, that is situated on the banks of the Tongati River about 37 km north of Durban and 28 km south of Stanger. It now forms part of eThekwini, the Greater Durban metropolitan area. Its population is predominantly people of Indian descent. Aesthetically English colonial but distinctly cosmopolitan in flavour, Tongaat, part of the Sugar Coast, now supports one of the largest sugar-producing districts in the world.

History

Tongaat was established in 1945 and its name was corrupted from the river's name, Tongati, the Zulu word for the Strychnos mackenii trees that flourish on its banks.

Commerce

The town is the centre for the Tongaat Hulett Sugar and the Moreland Molasses Companies. Maidstone Sugar Mill, one of the country's first mills, completed in 1850. Some original sugar-crushing methods are still employed.

Places of worship

Mosques

- Railway street mosque. 16 Railway St, Tongaat, KWAZULU NATAL, South Africa

- Ghandi's hill mosque.... Gopalall Hurbans Road, Gandhis Hill, Tongaat 4399

Churches

• Tongaat hosts the Tongaat branch of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa, founded by Rev John G. Lake in 1908.
• The Tongaat South Methodist Church was opened on 26 September 1979.
• The Anglican church of All Saints can be found in the historic Tongaat Sugar Company village of Maidstone.

Temples

• The Jugannath Puri Temple which is a heritage landmark and National Monument and tourist attraction. It was built in 1901 by the late Pandit Shrikishan Maharaj. There is said to be only one other of its kind in India.
• Sri Siva Soobramaniar Temple, which hosts what is arguably South Africa's largest Kavadi Festival, involving some of the oldest religious rituals in recorded history. also the Habibia Soofie Musjid which is 101 years old...
• The Vishwaroop Temple and Dharmashala was formally established in 1903.The temple hall is named after Mr Gopal Krishna Gokhale who visited Tongaat and the Temple during his visit to South Africa on advise from Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
• The Brake Village Temple located in central Tongaat hosts the biggest Kavady festival on the continent during autumn.
• Tongaat South Vishnu Temple, 9 Marigold Pl, Chelmsford Heights in Tongaat,
• SHREE VEERABOGA EMPERUMAL TEMPLE - 483 Gopalall Hurbans Road, Gandhis Hill, Tongaat 4399
• Sandfields Siva Subramaniar Temple.

Activities

Crocodile Creek, a crocodile farm where feedings can be viewed. Ndolondolo reptile park. Where you can view many different types of reptilian.

Scenic drives. Many drives in the area are picturesque including the road from Verulam, the parks and gardens of Amanzimyama on the approach into Tongaat. Westbrooke beach about 10 mins from tongaat. For shopping purposes, visit Ballito, almost like a smaller version of umhlanga. Just 7 minutes to ballito. - Ballito is Lined with many shopping centres and beautiful beaches. An atrraction for many tourists. Tongaat is 15 minutes away from umhlanga. Tongaat is very close to the airport. Roughly 5–7 minutes from tongaat..

Accommodation - Rain farm lodge. Picturesque. And with different game/wildlife on the property.... And Many other hotels and guests houses in ballito.or umhlanga

References

1. "Main Place Tongaat". Census 2011.