View source for Pietermaritzburg

{{Short description|Capital city of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2022}}
{{Use South African English|date=May 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Pietermaritzburg
| native_name        = {{native name|zu|uMgungundlovu}}
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| total_width              = 290
| image_style              = border:1;
| perrow                   = 2/1/2
| image1                   = 00000-St Peters Church2-Pietermaritzburg-s.jpg
| image2                   = 9 2 436 0053-Main Post Office-232 Langalibalele St-Pietermaritzburg-s.jpg
| image3                   = Pietermaritzburg City Hall.JPG
| image4                   = 00000-Natal Museum-237 Jabu Ndlovu St -Pietermaritzburg-s.jpg
| image5                   = Pietermaritzburg Airport.jpg
}}
| image_caption      = From top, left to right: St. Peter's Church, Post Office, City Hall, Kwa-Zulu Natal Museum, Airport
| nicknames           = PMB, Maritzburg, ''Mirichbhag'' ([[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]])<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.citizen.co.za/witness/archive/chilli-city-20150430/ | title=Chilli city | date=14 November 2010 }}</ref>
| pushpin_map        = South Africa KwaZulu-Natal#South Africa#Africa
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| coordinates        = {{coord|29|37|S|30|23|E|region:ZA|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|South Africa}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces of South Africa|Province]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|KwaZulu-Natal}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of districts of South Africa|District]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Umgungundlovu District Municipality|uMgungundlovu]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of municipalities of South Africa|Municipality]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Msunduzi Local Municipality|Msunduzi]]
| subdivision_type4  = Main Place
| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = 1839<ref name=established>{{cite thesis |last=Robson |first=Linda Gillian |title=The Royal Engineers and settlement planning in the Cape Colony 1806–1872: Approach, methodology and impact |date=2011 |type=PhD thesis |publisher=University of Pretoria |chapter=Annexure A |chapter-url=https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/26503/05back.pdf?sequence=6&isAllowed=y#page=31 |url=https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/26503 |hdl=2263/26503 |pages=xlv–lii}}</ref>
| government_type    = 
| leader_party       = [[African National Congress|ANC]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor of Msunduzi|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Mzimkhulu Thebolla]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.enca.com/news/pietermaritzburg-has-new-mayor|title=Pietermaritzburg has new mayor Column|work=msunduzi.gov.za|access-date=5 March 2021|archive-date=2 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502114638/https://www.enca.com/news/pietermaritzburg-has-new-mayor|url-status=dead}}</ref> (2019)
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="census2011">{{cite web |url=http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/566003 |title = Main Place Pietermaritzburg |work=Census 2011}}</ref>
| City area_total_km2 = 
| elevation_m        = 596
| population_footnotes = <ref name="census2011" />
| population_total   = 839327
| population_as_of   = 2023
| population_density_km2 = auto
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->| demographics_type1 = Racial makeup (2011)
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="census2011" />
| demographics1_title1 = [[Bantu peoples of South Africa|Black African]]
| demographics1_info1 = 70.0%
| demographics1_title2 = [[White South African|White]]
| demographics1_info2 = 14.2%
| demographics1_title3 = [[Indian South African|Indian]]/[[Asian South African|Asian]]
| demographics1_info3 = 8.4%
| demographics1_title4 = [[Coloureds|Coloured]]
| demographics1_info4 = 6.9%
| demographics1_title5 = Other
| demographics1_info5 = 0.3%
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->| demographics_type2 = [[First language]]s (2011)
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="census2011" />
| demographics2_title1 = [[Zulu language|Zulu]]
| demographics2_info1 = 57.0%
| demographics2_title2 = [[South African English|English]]
| demographics2_info2 = 28.9%
| demographics2_title3 = [[Afrikaans]]
| demographics2_info3 = 4.2%
| demographics2_title4 = [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]]
| demographics2_info4 = 3.5%
| demographics2_title5 = Other
| demographics2_info5 = 6.3%
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
<!-- Other information -->| timezone1          = [[South African Standard Time|SAST]]
| utc_offset1        = +2
| postal_code_type   = [[List of postal codes in South Africa|Postal code]] (street)
| postal_code        = 3201
| postal2_code_type  = [[Post-office box|PO box]]
| postal2_code       = 3200
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in South Africa|Area code]]
| area_code          = 033
| website            = {{URL|http://www.msunduzi.gov.za}}
| official_name      = 
| settlement_type    = City
| area_total_km2     = 126.15
}}

'''Pietermaritzburg''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|p|iː|t|ər|ˈ|m|ær|ᵻ|t|s|b|ɜːr|ɡ}}; {{Langx|zu|uMgungundlovu}})<ref>{{citation|last=Wells|first=John C.|year=2008|title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary|edition=3rd|publisher=Longman|isbn=9781405881180}}</ref> is the capital and second-largest city in the province of [[KwaZulu-Natal]], [[South Africa]] after [[Durban]]. It was named in 1838 and is currently governed by the [[Msunduzi Local Municipality]].

The town was named in Zulu, after King [[Dingane]]'s royal homestead '''uMgungundlovu'''. Pietermaritzburg is popularly called '''Maritzburg''' and is often informally abbreviated to '''PMB'''. It is a regionally important industrial hub, producing [[aluminium]], timber and dairy products, and is the main economic hub of [[Umgungundlovu District Municipality|uMgungundlovu District Municipality]]. The public sector is a major employer in the city due to local, district and provincial government offices located here.

The city has many schools and tertiary education institutions, including a campus of the [[University of KwaZulu-Natal]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Garaba |first=Francis |date=2018-01-01 |title=The neglected fond in university archives: The case of sport club records at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Pietermaritzburg Campus, South Africa |url=https://doi.org/10.1108/RMJ-11-2016-0043 |journal=Records Management Journal |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=143–158 |doi=10.1108/RMJ-11-2016-0043 |issn=0956-5698|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title=Challenges with student's registration processes at the Durban University of technology: a case study of midlands campuses of riverside and indumiso | url=https://openscholar.dut.ac.za/bitstream/10321/4714/3/ET%20Nzimande%20Thesis.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404081927/https://openscholar.dut.ac.za/bitstream/10321/4714/3/ET%20Nzimande%20Thesis.pdf | archive-date=2024-04-04}}</ref>

== History ==
{{see also|Timeline of Pietermaritzburg}}{{more citations needed section|date=November 2023}}[[File:Pietermaritzburg City Hall 1924.jpg|thumb|Pietermaritzburg City Hall found on a photo album dated 1924]]
The city was occupied by [[Voortrekkers]], in April 1838 following the murder of [[Piet Retief]] and his seventy-strong party at the Zulu Capital, Mgungundlovu (6 February 1838), when seeking land to settle around Port Natal (The Natal-Land Treaty), and from where the reprisal [https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/AJA0018229X_1329 Wenkommando] departed (November 1838) to defeat [[Dingane]] at the [[Battle of Blood River]] (16 December 1838). Pietermaritzburg is approximately {{cvt|160|km|-1}} direct from the Zulu capital, Mgungundlovu.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

Prior to the battle (9 December 1838) a vow was taken that if the Boers were granted victory over the Zulu, then a sacred church would be built which still stands today, [https://www.natalia.org.za/Files/45/Natalia%20No%2045%20Article%20Transforming%20townscapes.pdf The Church of the Vow]. It was Jan Gerritze Bantjes, Secretary General to Andries Pretorius, Commander of the campaign who arranged the financing of the church by the Boer towns folk which by then had taken a low priority after the war.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

The town grew rapidly to become the capital of the short-lived [[Boer Republic]] or [[Natalia Republic|Natalia]]. [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|Britain]] took over Pietermaritzburg in 1843 and it became the seat of the Natal Colony's administration with the first lieutenant-governor, [[Martin West (colonial administrator)|Martin West]], making it his home. Fort Napier, named after the governor of the [[Cape Colony]], Sir [[George Thomas Napier]], was built to house a garrison. In 1893, Natal received responsibility for its own government, and an assembly building was built along with the city hall.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

[[File:Gandhi Jee's Statue.jpg|thumb|left|Bronze statue of Gandhi commemorating the centenary of the incident at the [[Pietermaritzburg Railway Station]], unveiled by Archbishop [[Desmond Tutu]] on Church Street, Pietermaritzburg, in June 1993]] On 1 June 1893, while the young [[Mahatma Gandhi]] was on his way to [[Pretoria]], a white man objected to Gandhi's presence in a first-class carriage.<ref name="o795">{{cite book | last=Gandhi | first=Rajmohan | title=Gandhi | publisher=Univ of California Press | publication-place=Berkeley | date=2008-03-10 | isbn=978-0-520-25570-8 | pages=60–61}}</ref><ref name="b481">{{cite book | last=DiSalvo | first=Charles R. | title=M.K. Gandhi, Attorney at Law | publisher=Univ of California Press | publication-place=Berkeley | date=2013-11-15 | isbn=978-0-520-28015-1 | pages=39–40}}</ref> Despite Gandhi having a first-class ticket, he was ordered by the conductor to move to the [[Baggage car|van compartment]] at the end of the train: he refused, and he was removed from the train at Pietermaritzburg.<ref name="o795"/><ref name="b481"/>

Shivering through the winter night in the waiting room of the [[Pietermaritzburg Railway Station|station]], Gandhi made the momentous decision to stay on in [[South Africa]] and fight the [[Racism|racial discrimination]] against Indians there. Out of that struggle emerged his unique version of [[nonviolent resistance]], [[Satyagraha]].<ref name="b481"/> Today, a bronze statue of Gandhi stands in Church Street, in the city center.<ref name="k967">{{cite book | last=Sinha | first=Raman | title=Gandhi & Art and Other Essays | publisher=Notion Press | date=2024-10-30 | isbn=979-8-89556-631-2}}</ref>

In 1910, when the [[Union of South Africa]] was formed, Natal became a province of the Union, and Pietermaritzburg became one of the capitals of the country.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Simpson |first=Thula |title=History of South Africa: From 1902 to the Present |date=1 October 2021 |publisher=Penguin Random House South Africa }}</ref> During [[apartheid]], the city was segregated into various sections. 90% of the Indian population was moved to the suburb of Northdale while most of its Zulu inhabitants were moved to the neighbouring [[Township (South Africa)|township]] of Edendale and white inhabitants were moved out of those areas.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

=== Name ===
There exist two interpretations about the origin of the city's name. One is that it was named after [[Piet Retief]] (Pieter matteo Mahadave) and [[Gerrit Maritz]] (Gerhardus Marthinus Maritz), two Voortrekker leaders.<ref name="collier">{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Rhoodie |first1=E. M. |first2=Keith S. O.|last2=Beavon |editor=William D. Halsey |encyclopedia=Collier's Encyclopedia |title=Pietermaritzburg |year=1976 |publisher=Macmillan Educational Corporation |volume=19 |location=New York}}</ref>{{rp|43}}  The other is that it was originally named after Piet Retief's full name alone. In this interpretation the original name was "Pieter Mauritz' Burg", later transliterated to the current name.<ref name=Jenkins>{{cite book|last1=Jenkins|first1=G|year=1971|title=A Century of History: the story of Potchefstroom|edition=2nd|publisher=AA Balkema|location=Cape Town|pages=120}}</ref>{{rp|11}} In 1938, the city announced officially that the second element ''Maritz'' should also honour Gert Maritz.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

[[File:Pietermaritzburg - Church Street.png|left|thumb|175px|A view of Church Street in central Pietermaritzburg, {{c.|1900}}]]
In fact, neither Retief nor Maritz ever reached Pietermaritzburg. Retief was killed by [[Dingane]], successor to [[Shaka]], king of the [[Zulu Kingdom|Zulus]]. Maritz died of illness on 23 September 1838 near the present-day town of [[Estcourt]], some eighty kilometres northwest of Pietermaritzburg, after the battle with the Zulus at Bloukranz.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

At the time of the rise of the Zulu Empire, the site that was to become Pietermaritzburg was called uMgungundlovu. That is popularly translated from the Zulu as "Place of the Elephant" although it could also be translated to mean "The elephant wins".{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

Umgungundlovu is thus thought to be the site of some Zulu king's victory since "Elephant" (Indlovu) is a name traditionally taken by the Zulu monarch. Legend has it that Shaka had his warriors hunt elephant there to sell the ivory to English traders at Durban (then called Port Natal).{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} Today, the town is still called by its Voortrekker name although the municipality of which it is part bears the Zulu name.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

=== Education ===
[[File:UKZNPclocktower.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Clock tower of the university's Collin Webb Hall]]
The [[University of Natal]] was founded in 1910.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukzn.ac.za/aboutus/history.asp|title=History of the University of KwaZulu-Natal|access-date=21 September 2006|archive-date=19 September 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060919041643/http://www.ukzn.ac.za/aboutus/history.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1922 the University extended to [[Durban]]. The two campuses were incorporated into the University of Natal in March 1949. It became a major voice in the struggle against apartheid and was one of the first universities in the country to provide education to African students. It became the [[University of KwaZulu-Natal]] on 1 January 2004.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-kwazulu-natal-1941 | title=University of KwaZulu-Natal on the Conversation }}</ref>

=== Other historical events ===
{{prose|section|date=May 2018}}
*The first newspaper in Natal, the ''Natal Witness'' (now known as ''[[The Witness (South African newspaper)|The Witness]]''), was published in 1846. 
*The 46 hectare [[KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden|Botanic Gardens]] were created in 1872 by the Botanic Society of Natal. 
*The [[Pietermaritzburg City Hall|city hall]], which is the largest red-brick building in the Southern Hemisphere, was destroyed by a fire in 1895, but was rebuilt in 1901. It houses the largest pipe organ built by the [[Sheffield]] organ building company, [[Brindley & Foster]].
*The British built a [[concentration camp]] here during the [[Second Boer War]] to house [[Boer]] women and children.
*In 1919 communist activist [[David Ivon Jones]] was arrested for distributed an anti-segregation leaflet he co-authored in Pietermaritzburg. His trial became the first major court case against communism in South African history.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |last=Hirson |first=Baruch |date=1991 |title=Notes towards an intellectual history of the early communist party: The influence of David Ivon Jones |url=http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/8770 |journal=African Studies Seminar Series |pages=9 |via=Wired Space}}</ref>
*During the [[Second World War]], Italian [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]] were housed in Pietermaritzburg. During their stay, they built a [[Pietermaritzburg Italian P.O.W. Church|church]], which remains standing as a heritage site today.
*In 1962, [[Nelson Mandela]] was arrested in the nearby town of [[Howick, KwaZulu-Natal|Howick]] to the north of Pietermaritzburg. The arrest marked the beginning of Mandela's 27 years of imprisonment. A small monument has been erected at the location of his arrest. Immediately after his arrest Mandela was taken to the Old Prison in Pietermaritzburg.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.projectgateway.co.za/The%20Old%20Prison.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111103353/http://www.projectgateway.co.za/The%20Old%20Prison.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-01-11|title=The Old Prison|work=projectgateway.co.za}}</ref> After a night in the prison, he was taken to Magistrate J. Buys's office in the old Magistrates Court Building in Commercial Road (now Chief Albert Luthuli Road), and was remanded for trial in [[Johannesburg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maritzburgsun.co.za/7842/mandela-pietermaritzburg/|title=Mandela and Pietermaritzburg - Maritzburg Sun|work=Maritzburg Sun|date=9 December 2013|access-date=15 June 2014|archive-date=8 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408164308/http://maritzburgsun.co.za/7842/mandela-pietermaritzburg/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Capital status ==
[[File:KwaZulu-Natal Parliament building, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The [[KwaZulu-Natal Legislature]] building]]
Pietermaritzburg was the capital of the [[Colony of Natal]] until 1910, when the [[Union of South Africa]] was formed, and Natal became a province of the Union.  Prior to 1994, Pietermaritzburg was the capital of [[Natal Province]]. Following the first post-apartheid elections in South Africa, as a result of which the [[Inkatha Freedom Party]] won a majority in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government, Pietermaritzburg shared its status as capital of the (then newly created) province of KwaZulu-Natal with [[Ulundi]]. Pietermaritzburg became the legislative capital of the new province, while Ulundi became the administrative capital.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}} 

The IFP, being strongly [[Zulu people|Zulu]] nationalist, desired that Ulundi, the capital of the Zulu Kingdom at the time of its fall to the British in the [[Anglo-Zulu War]], be the post-apartheid capital of the province. Ulundi had also been the capital of the [[bantustan]] [[KwaZulu]], which makes up a portion of modern KwaZulu-Natal. However, Ulundi severely lacked the infrastructure to be an effective seat of government, and the [[African National Congress]] (ANC) and the [[Democratic Party (South Africa)|Democratic Party]], the two other strong political parties in the province, among others, called for Pietermaritzburg alone to be the capital.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

The debate came to an end when the ANC came to power in the province in 2004, and named Pietermaritzburg the sole capital of KwaZulu-Natal. This has resulted in the relocation of several government offices to Pietermaritzburg, an action that has generally been welcomed as a positive development for the region. Since 2004, progress such as the modernisation of several buildings in the city centre and a proliferation of retail and housing developments in the suburbs are results of recent investment in the city by both the public and private sectors.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

== Economy ==
Until the late 1990s, the region was renowned for the production of high-quality textile, clothing and footwear products. An example of the latter included the production of [[Doc Marten]] shoes. However, these industries have declined in the area due to lower production costs in Asia. Extensive timber plantations and numerous citrus farms surround the city, contributing a significant share of the city's output.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

The [[Liberty Holdings Limited|Liberty Group]] has made major investments in several phases in the region since 2002 with the development of the Liberty Midlands Mall (the area's largest shopping centre by gross lettable area and its most prestigious) and Stay Easy hotel. Hulett's Aluminium and Willowton cooking oil contributes a substantial part of the region's industrial output.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

Pietermaritzburg is also the city where major South African pizza franchise [[Debonairs Pizza]] was founded in 1991.<ref name="rw">{{Cite web |last=Kruger |first=Henno |date=2012-11-27 |title=10 Facts: Debonairs Pizza |url=https://rwrant.co.za/10-facts-debonairs-pizza/ |access-date=2019-03-02 |website=Running Wolf's Rant |language=en-ZA}}</ref>

== Coat of arms ==
The Pietermaritzburg borough council assumed a coat of arms in 1861.<ref name=an>Anon.; 'Maritzburg's Municipal Insignia' in ''Archives News'' (Jan 1975).</ref> The shield depicted an elephant standing on grass, and a cross of five stars was placed above the shield. The motto was ''Umgungunhlovu''. It is unclear what the original colours were, but by 1910, the shield had been coloured blue.<ref name=ct>The arms were depicted on a colour poster issued by the ''Cape Times'' in 1910.</ref> By 1931, the council had approved new artwork in which the stars were placed on a radiant sun.<ref name=cig>The arms were depicted on a [http://www.ngw.nl/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Category:UTC_South_African_town_arms cigarette card] issued in 1931.</ref>

The arms were registered with the Natal Provincial Administration in November 1950.<ref name=og>Natal ''Official Gazette'' 2317 (9 November 1950).</ref> Many early renditions of the coat of arms, visible on older public building and wrought iron lampposts, features an elephant which is clearly an [[Asian elephant]] rather than an [[African elephant]].  More recent versions reflect an African elephant.

The final version of the arms was granted by the [[College of Arms]] in May 1961.  It was registered at the [[Bureau of Heraldry]] in May 1973.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} The blazon was ''Per fess Azure and Vert, over all an elephant statant Or, tusked Argent'' (i.e. the shield was divided horizontally into blue over green, and displayed a gold elephant with silver tusks).  The crest was changed to a blue sun displaying gold and silver stars, and two black wildebeest were added as supporters.  Each had a shield on its shoulder, the dexter supporter's shield displaying the [[Union Jack]] and the sinister supporter's the [[Flag of the Natalia Republic|flag of the Natalia republic]].

== Transport ==
=== Road ===
Pietermaritzburg is on the [[N3 road (South Africa)|N3 highway]], the primary route between the harbour city of [[Durban]], some {{convert|90|km|mi}} away, and the [[Gauteng|Pretoria-Witwatersrand-Vereeniging]] conurbation.

The [[R33 road|R33]] connects Pietermaritzburg with [[Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal|Greytown]] and [[Paulpietersburg]], while the [[R56 road|R56]] connects Pietermaritzburg with [[Ixopo]] and [[Kokstad]].

=== Air ===
The city is served by [[Pietermaritzburg Airport]], which has regular scheduled services to [[OR Tambo International Airport]] in Johannesburg. There are 4 flights to Johannesburg and 4 return flights daily, with a reduced number of weekend flights. It once operated flights to [[Cape Town International Airport]] in Cape Town – this route was terminated in 2019.

=== Rail ===
[[Pietermaritzburg Railway Station]] is served by long distance trains on the Durban-Johannesburg and Durban-Cape Town routes of [[Shosholoza Meyl]].

It has been proposed that the [[Metrorail KwaZulu-Natal|Metrorail]] commuter rail system be expanded from [[Cato Ridge]] to Pietermaritzburg.

=== Bus ===
The Pietermaritzburg Municipality historically operated a tram service, which was closed down in the 1940s, and a bus service, which was closed down in the 1980s.

Nowadays regular daily bus services connect Pietermaritzburg to other major cities in South Africa. The bus station is located on Burger Street, opposite the McDonalds Centre, and it serves major bus companies. Greyhound and Intercape are the most reliable and they operate several round-trips from [[Durban railway station|Durban]] to [[Johannesburg Park Station|Johannesburg]] daily, where Pietermaritzburg is the second to last stop before Durban.

=== Taxis ===
Pietermaritzburg has two types of taxi services: [[Taxicab|metered taxis]] and [[Share taxi|minibus taxis]]. Unlike in many cities, metered taxis are not allowed to drive around the city to solicit fares and instead must be called and ordered to a specific location. A number of companies service Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas. These taxis can also be called upon for airport transfers, point to point pickups and shuttles.

Minibus taxis are the standard mode of transport for the majority of the population who cannot afford private vehicles.

=== Integrated Rapid Public Transport (IRPT) ===
A bus rapid transit system, the initial phase of which would connect Endendale to Northdale, was planned.{{When|date=December 2025}} Construction however has halted and the project has stalled, with no word on when it will resume.{{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}

== Geography ==
[[File:PMB city view from Blackridge.jpg|thumb|center|500px|An overview of Pietermaritzburg's business district seen from the hills of the suburb of Blackridge]] 
<br />[[File:Upland South Africa Savanna.jpg|thumb|500px|centre|Upland savanna near Pietermaritzburg]]

{{clear}}

=== Climate ===

Pietermaritzburg has a dry-winter [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: '''Cwa'''). Summers are warm and occasionally hot, with frequent rainfall. Winters are dry with high [[diurnal temperature variation]], with light [[air frost]]s being possible.

{{Weather box
|location = Pietermaritzburg
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 41
|Feb record high C = 39
|Mar record high C = 38
|Apr record high C = 37
|May record high C = 37
|Jun record high C = 31
|Jul record high C = 32
|Aug record high C = 35
|Sep record high C = 39
|Oct record high C = 40
|Nov record high C = 41
|Dec record high C = 42
|year record high C = 42
|Jan high C = 28
|Feb high C = 28
|Mar high C = 28
|Apr high C = 26
|May high C = 24
|Jun high C = 22
|Jul high C = 23
|Aug high C = 24
|Sep high C = 25
|Oct high C = 25
|Nov high C = 26
|Dec high C = 28
|year high C = 26
|Jan low C = 18
|Feb low C = 17
|Mar low C = 16
|Apr low C = 12
|May low C = 7
|Jun low C = 3
|Jul low C = 3
|Aug low C = 6
|Sep low C = 10
|Oct low C = 13
|Nov low C = 15
|Dec low C = 16
|year low C = 11
|Jan record low C = 9
|Feb record low C = 10
|Mar record low C = 5
|Apr record low C = 1
|May record low C = -1
|Jun record low C = -4
|Jul record low C = -4
|Aug record low C = -3
|Sep record low C = -1
|Oct record low C = 2
|Nov record low C = 5
|Dec record low C = 6
|year record low C = -4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 155
|Feb precipitation mm = 121
|Mar precipitation mm = 113
|Apr precipitation mm = 44
|May precipitation mm = 30
|Jun precipitation mm = 13
|Jul precipitation mm = 2
|Aug precipitation mm = 8
|Sep precipitation mm = 64
|Oct precipitation mm = 74
|Nov precipitation mm = 100
|Dec precipitation mm = 108
|year precipitation mm = 832
|Jan precipitation days = 22
|Feb precipitation days = 16
|Mar precipitation days = 15
|Apr precipitation days = 6
|May precipitation days = 5
|Jun precipitation days = 3
|Jul precipitation days = 1
|Aug precipitation days = 2
|Sep precipitation days = 10
|Oct precipitation days = 12
|Nov precipitation days = 15
|Dec precipitation days = 16
|year precipitation days = 123
|source 1 = South African Weather Service<ref name="saws-climstats">{{cite web |url = http://old.weathersa.co.za/Climat/Climstats/PietermaritzburgStats.jsp |title = Climate data for Pietermaritzburg |access-date = 7 March 2010 |publisher = South African Weather Service |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100308015417/http://old.weathersa.co.za/Climat/Climstats/PietermaritzburgStats.jsp |archive-date = 8 March 2010 }}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

== Sport ==
*Pietermaritzburg is home to the oldest football (soccer) club of South Africa and the African continent: [[Savages FC Pietermaritzburg|Savages FC PMB]], founded in 1882.
*The [[Comrades Marathon]] takes place annually in June between Pietermaritzburg and [[Durban]]. It has been run since 1921 and attracts thousands of entrants. The start of the race alternates between the two cities.
*Between December 1953 and November 1981, Pietermaritzburg had an international standard motor racing circuit located on the outskirts of the city. The [[Roy Hesketh Circuit]] measured {{convert|1.803|mi|km|order=flip}}. The circuit was named after [[South African people|South African]] driver [[Roy Hesketh]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Roy Hesketh the Racing Drivers Story|url=http://royheskethcircuit.com/RoyHesketh.html|publisher=Roy Hesketh Circuit|access-date=16 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901054935/http://royheskethcircuit.com/RoyHesketh.html|archive-date=1 September 2018|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> During its period of operation it hosted rounds of the [[South African National Drivers Championship]], the [[Springbok Series]]<ref>Springbok Series – Sportscar championship in South Africa, that was run usually during winter. Until 1963 was Springbok series for F1 cars. Championship ended in 1973 after two races due to the Middle East oil crisis and never was restarted again... [http://www.wspr-racing.com/wspr/results/spring/nf_spring_home.html WSPR-racing.com]</ref><ref>South African Springbok Trophy Series – South African endurance sports car championship. It was usually held during the winter when the main season had been finished. Until 1963 the Springbok series was destined for F1 cars before it switched to mixed sports car and touring car field. The main race of the series was well known Kyalami 9 Hours, which enjoyed good international competition. Also many of the other races were well supported. Sports ere still allowed in the main 9-hour event, so even factory Ferrari took the challenge and won in Kyalami three consecutive times during 1970–72 period facing opposition of Porsche 917 and other great machinery of the time. The championship ended up in 1973 after only two races due to the Middle East oil crisis and was never restarted again. The Kyalami event was then shortened to 6 hours and became part of the World Manufacturers Championship, but only for a single season. It then continued under various rules sets and distances over the next decade appearing two more times in the World Sports Car Championship calendar (1983 and 1984) – but the latter was a complete fiasco and it never returned in its full {{convert|1000|km|0|abbr=on}} distance, nor as part of the WSPC. Just a few shorter races were held for a few more years to come but 1985. [http://wsrp.ic.cz/spring.html WSRP.ic.cz] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802071256/http://www.wsrp.ic.cz/spring.html |date=2 August 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imca-slotracing.com/1965-1966-HISTORY%20OF%20THE%20SPRINGBOK%20SERIES.htm |title=IMCA-slotracing.com |publisher=IMCA-slotracing.com |access-date=15 May 2011}}</ref> and national [[Formula Atlantic]] races. The circuit was also like a second home to [[Mike Hailwood]]. The track was known for hosting the Easter races as well – a festival of racing over three days. The expansion of the town of Pietermaritzburg eventually led to the redevelopment of the site as a residential and business zone after racing ceased at the end of 1981. The section from Henry's Knee to the top of Beacon still exists, and is undergoing protection from further development as an important piece of Pietermaritzburg's history. From 1948 until 1953 races were held at the {{convert|3.4|mi|km|order=flip|adj=on}} [[Alexandra Park Street Circuit]] on streets within the town of Pietermaritzburg.<ref>{{cite web|title=Alexandra Park Street Circuit|url=http://www.gdecarli.it/php/circuit.php?var1=3309&var2=2|publisher=Guido de Carli}}</ref>
*Former Springbok and World Cup Winner [[Joel Stransky]] was born in Pietermaritzburg on 16 July 1967, he matriculated from [[Maritzburg College]].
*Former South African Cricketer [[Jonty Rhodes]] was born in Pietermaritzburg in 1969. He attended Merchiston Prep school and later matriculated from Maritzburg College.
*The English cricketer [[Kevin Pietersen]] was born in Pietermaritzburg, as was Springbok cricketer [[Cuan McCarthy]].
*The yearly Amashovashova is a {{convert|106|km|0|abbr=on}} road cycling classic race held since 1986 which starts in Pietermartizburg and finishes in Durban. It is normally held in October.
*South African cricketer [[David Miller (South African cricketer)|David Miller]] was born in Pietermaritzburg on in 1989.
*In 2010, the BMX Racing World Championship took place in the city of Pietermaritzburg between 15 July and 1 August.
*In January there is an annual [[canoe]] race, the [[Dusi Canoe Marathon]], from Pietermaritzburg to [[Durban]]. The route follows the [[Msunduzi River]] into the [[Mgeni River]], through the [[Valley of a Thousand Hills]] into the Inanda Dam and from here to the mouth of the Mgeni River.
*The [[Midmar Mile]] is one of the largest open-water swimming events in the world; taking place at Midmar Dam, north of Pietermaritzburg in February every year, it attracts over 16,000 swimmers from around the world.
*The [[Harry Gwala Stadium]] is a [[multi-purpose stadium]], and is mostly used for football matches. Until 2023, it was used by [[Maritzburg United F.C.|Maritzburg United]], after which it was reserved for [[Royal AM F.C.|Royal AM]].
*The Pietermaritzburg Msunduzi Athletics Stadium is currently being developed.
*The [[Pietermaritzburg Oval]] is considered one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in South Africa, and it hosted two matches during the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
*Pietermaritzburg cricket ground is notable as one of the two grounds used regularly for first-class cricket that have a tree within the boundary (the other is [[St Lawrence Ground]] in [[Canterbury]], Kent).
*Woodburn Stadium is currently used for most club rugby in Pietermaritzburg.
*The Kershaw Park Tennis Complex is a tennis stadium.
*The above facilities form the centre of the Pietermaritzburg sports precinct.

==Tourism==

Some of the area's tourist attractions include; the KwaZulu-Natal Museum, City Hall, Colonial Buildings, Imperial Hotel, Comrades House and [[KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden|SANBI Botanical Garden]]s.

Attractions in the surrounding areas include; Albert Falls Nature Reserve, Howick Falls, Midmar Public Nature Reserve, Queens Elizabeth Park and World's View.

==Education==
{{Main|Educational Institutions of Pietermaritzburg}}

===Schools===
* [[Alexandra High School]] 
* [[Carter High School (South Africa)]] 
* [[Cordwalles Preparatory School]] 
* [[Epworth School]]
* [[Hilton College (South Africa)|Hilton college]]
* [[Michaelhouse]]
* [[Maritzburg College]] 
* [[Merchiston Preparatory School]] 
* [[Pietermaritzburg Girls' High School]]
* [[Russell High School (Pietermaritzburg)|Russell High School]]
* [[St. Charles College, Pietermaritzburg]] 
* [[St. John's Diocesan School for Girls]]
* [[St. Nicholas Diocesan School]]
* [[The Wykeham Collegiate]]

===Tertiary institutions===
Pietermaritzburg has a well-developed higher system of public universities. Pietermaritzburg is served by two public universities, [[University of KwaZulu-Natal]] and [[Durban University of Technology]]. There are also many private and public colleges operating in the city, such as [[Varsity College (South Africa)|Varsity College]].

== Civil society ==

Pietermaritzburg is home to a number of prominent civil society organisations including the [[Abahlali baseMjondolo]] (shackdwellers) movement, GroundWork, CINDI, PACSA, and the KwaZulu Natal Christian Council.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rajpatel.org/2010/10/01/world-habitat-day/ |title=World Habitat Day |date=October 2010 |publisher=Rajpatel.org |access-date=15 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cindi.org.za|title=Cindi - Children in Distress Network|work=cindi.org.za}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.groundwork.org.za/ |title=GroundWork |publisher=GroundWork |access-date=15 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kzncc.org.za/|title=KZNCC »|work=kzncc.org.za}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=19685 |title=South Africa: Post Abahlali baseMjondolo AGM speech by S'bu Zikode |publisher=Africafiles.org |date=14 December 2008 |access-date=15 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928025833/http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=19685 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Notable people<!-- PLEASE RESPECT ALPHABETICAL ORDER -->==
*[[Don Armand]], rugby player (born 1988)
*[[Neil Adcock]], Springbok cricketer and radio cricket commentator
*[[Cade Carmichael]], Irish cricketer (born 2025)
*[[Arthur Bartman]], (1972–2019), [[Premier Soccer League]] goalkeeper
*[[Dale Benkenstein]], former cricketer
*[[Kork Ballington]], World 250cc and 350cc Motorcycle Champion
*[[Melissa Carlton]], Paralympic swimmer who represented Australia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.melissacarlton.com/bio.html|title=Biography|first=Melissa|last=Carlton|access-date=16 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002121707/http://www.melissacarlton.com/bio.html|archive-date=2 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
*[[Amod Cassimjee]], one of the earliest known Indian settlers
*[[Pat Cilliers]], rugby player (born 1987)
*[[Brendon Dedekind]], swimmer (born 1976)
*[[Bathabile Dlamini]], leader of the [[African National Congress Women's League]] and Minister of Women in the Presidency, and Minister of Social Development (born 1962)
*[[Jon Ekerold]], world 350cc motorcycle champion
*[[Sarel Erwee]], [[South Africa national cricket team]] player. Attended [[St. Charles College, Pietermaritzburg]].
*[[Brett Evans]], (born 1982) South African Football (soccer) player; attended [[Merchiston Preparatory School]] and [[Maritzburg College]] and played for Maritzburg City as an amateur
*[[Adrian Furnham]] (born 1953), British-based organisational and applied psychologist and academic
*[[Hayden Griffin]] (1943–2013), British stage designer<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/books/book-review-ghost-road-anthony-m-townsend-2893160|title=Book review: Ghost Road, by Anthony M Townsend|last=Dalton|first=Alastair|newspaper=[[The Scotsman]]|date=June 23, 2020|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref>
*[[Tim Groenewald]], Derbyshire and Warwickshire Cricketer (born 1984)
*[[Archie Gumede]], leader of the [[United Democratic Front (South Africa)]] and Member of the [[Parliament of South Africa]]
*[[Adam Habib]], vice-chancellor and principal of the University of the Witwatersrand (born 1965)
*[[Jonathan Handley]] (born 1954), singer-songwriter, originally from Springs, founder of [[The Radio Rats]]; 1979 hit single "ZX Dan" on Radio 5 (now 5FM)
*[[Bessie Head]] (born 1937), writer, born in Pietermaritzburg
*[[Roy Hesketh]] (1915–1944), racing driver and [[South African Air Force]] pilot.
*[[Butch James]], Springbok and {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}} rugby player; attended [[Maritzburg College]] from 1994 to 1996
*[[Stratford Johns]] (1925–2002), British actor
*[[Peter Johnstone (footballer)|Peter Johnstone]] (born 1970), left PMB in 2004
*[[Craig Joubert]] (born 1977), international rugby union referee; attended [[Merchiston Preparatory School]] and Maritzburg College
*[[Guy Kewney]] (1946–2010), technology journalist
*[[Jesse Kriel]] (born 1994), Springbok rugby player; attended Merchiston Preparatory School and Maritzburg College
*[[Charlie Llewellyn]] (born 1876), cricketer, first [[non-White]] Test cricketer for South Africa
*[[Mbulelo Mabizela]] (born 1981), South African national football team player
*[[Nduduzo Makhathini]], jazz musician
*[[Clinton Marius]] (born 1966) writer, performer 
*[[Thuso Mbedu]], (born 1991), actress; attended [[Pietermaritzburg Girls' High School]]
*[[Jomu Mbili]] (born 1981), cricketer 
*[[Cuan McCarthy]], fast-bowling [[The Proteas]] cricketer 1929–2000
*[[Phyllis McCarthy]], authority on and breeder of [[Rhodesian Ridgeback]]s
*[[Ntuthuko Mchunu]] (born 1999), rugby union player; attended Piet Retief Primary School & [[Maritzburg College]]
*[[Cathcart William Methven]] (1849–1925), painter, engineer, and architect
*[[David Miller (South African cricketer)|David Miller]] (born 1989), cricketer; attended Maritzburg College
*[[Greg Minnaar]], professional downhill mountain bike racer; attended [[Carter High School (South Africa)|Carter High School]]
*[[Emmanuel Mkhize]] (born 1989), cricketer 
*[[Zweli Mkhize]] (born 1956), politician, former [[Kwazulu-Natal]] premier; lived in Ashburton, Pietermaritzburg
*[[Bryce Moon]], (born 1986) [[South Africa national football team]] (soccer) player was born in Pietermaritzburg and played for Pirates in his youth
*[[Ryan Moon]] (born 1996), [[South Africa national football team]] player; attended Maritzburg College
*[[Shaun Morgan]], lead singer of [[Seether]], former resident of Pietermaritzburg, attended both [[Merchiston Preparatory School]] and Maritzburg College 
*[[Nina Myskow]], British journalist and television personality; born in Pietermaritzburg; attended [[The Wykeham Collegiate]]
*[[Siphesihle Ndlovu]], [[Premier Soccer League]] and [[South Africa national football team]] player
*[[Nkosingiphile Ngcobo]], [[Premier Soccer League]]
* [[Blade Nzimande]] (born 1958), South African national minister and president of the South African Communist Party
*[[Alan Paton]], author of ''[[Cry the Beloved Country]]'', born and schooled (Maritzburg College) in Pietermaritzburg
*[[Vyvyan Pearse]] (1891–1956), cricketer
*[[Kevin Pietersen]] (born 1980), cricketer for the [[England National Cricket Team]]. Attended Maritzburg College
*[[Graeme Pope-Ellis]], canoeist. Attended [[Alexandra High School]].
*[[Brian Raubenheimer]], racing diver
*[[Rowland Raw]] (1884–1915), cricketer 
*[[Jo-anne Reyneke]], (born 1988), actress. Attended [[Russell High School (Pietermaritzburg)]]
*[[Jonty Rhodes]] (born 1969), national cricketer
*[[Matthew Sates]] (born 2003), Olympic games swimmer. Attended [[St. Charles College, Pietermaritzburg]]
*[[Lunga Shabalala]] (born 1989), TV presenter, TV personality and actor;  Maritzburg College
*[[Bandile Shandu]], (born 1995), [[Premier Soccer League]] player; attended Maritzburg College
*[[Tom Sharpe]], novelist, who described the city as "half the size of a New York cemetery and twice as dead"
*[[Peter Leslie Smith]] (born 1958), auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon 
*[[Guy Spier]] (born 1966), value investor
*[[Dale Stewart (bassist)|Dale Stewart]], bassist of [[Seether]], former resident
*[[Joel Stransky]] (born 1967), Springbok rugby player; born in Pietermaritzburg, attended Maritzburg College and [[University of Natal]]
* [[Frank Talbot]] (1930–2024), Australian [[ichthyologist]] born in Pietermaritzburg; former director of the [[Australian Museum]]
*[[Darian Townsend]], Olympic swimmer. Attended [[Merchiston Preparatory School]] and Maritzburg College
*[[Kevin Volans]], composer (born in Pietermaritzburg, 26 July 1949)
*[[Lance Woolridge]], rally driver
*[[Philani Zulu]], [[Premier Soccer League]] player
*[[Dumisani Zuma]], [[Premier Soccer League]] player
*[[Lwandiswa Zuma]] (born 1996), South African first-class cricketer; attended Maritzburg College

== Various ==
{{trivia|date=May 2018}}
*Built in 1900, the City Hall was then the largest all-brick building in the southern hemisphere. It was declared a national monument in 1969.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.encounter.co.za/article/60.html |title=Pietermaritzburg – Home of Gandhi and The Comrades Marathon |access-date=1 January 2007 |work=Encounter South Africa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117111415/http://www.encounter.co.za/article/60.html |archive-date=17 January 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
*At 14 metres high, the statue ''Pegasus'' adorning the entrance of the Golden Horse Casino was the largest statue of a horse in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pmbtourism.co.za/aff/pmbtourism/about_us/default.htm |title=Pietermaritzburg Tourism |access-date=1 January 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060924173954/http://www.pmbtourism.co.za/aff/pmbtourism/about_us/default.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 24 September 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://cybercapetown.com/GoldenHorse/ |title=Golden Horse Casino Hotel |access-date=1 January 2007 |work=CyberCapeTown Greater Durban Area Accommodation Portal. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707140723/http://cybercapetown.com/GoldenHorse/ |archive-date=7 July 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> However, as of July 2010, the statue has been demolished due to internal structural damage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/witness/archive/Pegasus-falls-Golden-Horse-statue-demolished-20150430|title=Pegasus falls: Golden Horse statue demolished|website=[[News24 (website)|News24]]|date=July 13, 2010|access-date=March 3, 2021}}</ref>

==Twin towns and sister cities==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%; background:#FFFFEF; float:left;"
|-
! City
! Country
! Year
|-
| [[Taichung]]
| Taiwan
| 1983
|-
| [[Hampton, Virginia|Hampton]]
| United States
| 1998<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sistercities-hamptonva.org/ | title=Sister Cities of Hampton, Virginia | access-date=7 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sister-cities.org/ | title=Sister Cities International | access-date=7 November 2011}}</ref>
|}
{{clear}}

== See also ==
{{portal|South Africa}}
* [[Trams in Pietermaritzburg]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
{{See also|Timeline of Pietermaritzburg#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Pietermaritzburg}}
{{Refbegin}}
* Jenkins, G. 1971. A Century of History: the story of Potchefstroom. 2nd ed. AA Balkema. Cape Town. 120 p.
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage|Pietermaritzburg}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikisource|1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Pietermaritzburg|Pietermaritzburg}}
* {{Official website|http://www.msunduzi.gov.za}}
* [http://www.pietermaritzburg.co.za Pietermaritzburg]
* [http://www.pmbtourism.co.za Pietermaritzburg Tourism]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051217051113/http://www.maritzburglife.co.za/ Pietermaritzburg News]
* [http://www.pcb.org.za Pietermaritzburg]

{{Provincial capitals of South Africa}}
{{UMgungundlovu District Municipality}}
{{Gandhi}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Pietermaritzburg| ]]
[[Category:1838 establishments in South Africa]]
[[Category:Cities in South Africa]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1838]]
[[Category:Populated places founded by Afrikaners]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Msunduzi Local Municipality]]
[[Category:Provincial capitals in South Africa]]
[[Category:Second Boer War concentration camps]]