View source for Ulundi

{{More citations needed|date=November 2009}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use South African English|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Ulundi
| other_name         = oLundi
| pushpin_map        = South Africa KwaZulu-Natal#South Africa
| coordinates        = {{coord|28|19|S|31|25|E|region:ZA|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[South Africa]]
| subdivision_type1  = Province
| subdivision_name1  = [[KwaZulu-Natal]]
| subdivision_type2  = District
| subdivision_name2  = [[Zululand District Municipality|Zululand]]
| subdivision_type3  = Municipality
| subdivision_name3  = [[Ulundi Local Municipality|Ulundi]]
| subdivision_type4  = Main Place
| established_title  = Established
| leader_title       = Councillor
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="census2011">{{cite web |url=http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/581095 |title = Main Place Ulundi |work=Census 2011}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 3251
| elevation_m        = 540
| population_footnotes = <ref name="census2011" />
| population_total   = 30,828
| population_as_of   = 2024
| 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 = 98.9%
| demographics1_title2 = [[Coloureds|Coloured]]
| demographics1_info2 = 0.3%
| demographics1_title3 = [[Indian South African|Indian]]/[[Asian South African|Asian]]
| demographics1_info3 = 0.2%
| demographics1_title4 = [[White South African|White]]
| demographics1_info4 = 0.2%
| demographics1_title5 = Other
| demographics1_info5 = 0.4%
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->| demographics_type2 = [[First language]]s (2011)
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="census2011" />
| demographics2_title1 = [[Zulu language|Zulu]]
| demographics2_info1 = 93.4%
| demographics2_title2 = [[South African English|English]]
| demographics2_info2 = 2.6%
| demographics2_title3 = [[Southern Ndebele language|S. Ndebele]]
| demographics2_info3 = 1.1%
| demographics2_title4 = 
| demographics2_info4 = 
| demographics2_title5 = Other
| demographics2_info5 = 2.9%
<!-- 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        = 
| postal2_code_type  = [[Post-office box|PO box]]
| postal2_code       = 3838
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in South Africa|Area code]]
| area_code          = 035
}}
'''Ulundi''', also known as '''Mahlabathini''', is a town which lies under the [[Ulundi Local Municipality]] in the [[Zululand District Municipality]].<ref name="municipalities.co.za">{{Cite web |title=Ulundi Local Municipality - Overview |url=https://municipalities.co.za/overview/1115/ulundi-local-municipality |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=municipalities.co.za}}</ref> At one time the capital of the [[Zulu Kingdom]]<ref name="lyde-97">{{cite book|last=Lyde|first=Lionel William|title=A Geography of Africa |publisher=Adam and Charles Black|year=1907|pages=97|chapter=South Africa|chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/ageographyafric00lydegoog#page/n107/mode/1up}}</ref> in [[South Africa]] and later the capital of the [[Bantustan]] of [[KwaZulu]], Ulundi now lies in [[KwaZulu-Natal]] Province (of which, from 1994 to 2004, it alternated with [[Pietermaritzburg]] as the provincial capital). Ulundi's 2025 population is now estimated at 31,185. In 2001, the population of Ulundi was 23,649.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ulundi Population 2025 |url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/cities/south-africa/ulundi |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=worldpopulationreview.com |language=en}}</ref> Ulundi has grown by 4,647 in the last year, which represents a 1.16% annual change. The town now includes Ulundi Airport, a three-star hotel, and some museums amongst its sights.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://census.adrianfrith.com/place/53111 |title=Main Place 'Ulundi Part 1' |work=Census 2001 |access-date=3 June 2011}}</ref>

== Tourism and Attractions ==
Located just minutes from the town center, the Ulundi Museum offers a rich glimpse into Zulu heritage and regional history. Travelers can follow the R700 route to reach the Ondini Cultural Reserve, a site of historical significance and traditional architecture. Just 10&nbsp;km outside Ulundi lies the eMakhosini Ophathe Heritage Park, known for its biodiversity and royal burial grounds. For wildlife enthusiasts, the Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park is easily accessible via the newly established Cengeni Gate, situated approximately 35&nbsp;km from town.<ref name="municipalities.co.za"/>

==History==
When [[Cetshwayo]] became king of the [[Zulu Kingdom|Zulus]] on 1 September 1873, he created, as was customary, a new capital for the nation, naming it "Ulundi" ("The high place"). On 4 July 1879, in the [[Battle of Ulundi]] (the final battle of the [[Anglo-Zulu War]]), the [[British Army]] captured the royal [[kraal]] and razed it to the ground.

Nearby is Ondini, where King [[Mpande]], Cetshwayo's father, had his kraal.  A large Zulu hut now is on the site.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ulundi {{!}} Zulu Kingdom, Battle of Ulundi, Capital City {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Ulundi |access-date=2025-09-27 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Climate==
Ulundi experiences a subtropical climate characterised by distinct seasonal patterns. Summers are long, hot, humid, and accompanied by frequent rainfall, while winters are brief, cool, and predominantly dry. The region enjoys mostly clear skies throughout the year.

Annual temperatures typically range from 10&nbsp;°C to 31&nbsp;°C, with extremes rarely falling below 7&nbsp;°C or exceeding 34&nbsp;°C. This stable temperature profile contributes to Ulundi’s suitability for year-round outdoor activities and agriculture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ulundi Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) - Weather Spark |url=https://weatherspark.com/y/96786/Average-Weather-in-Ulundi-KwaZulu-Natal-South-Africa-Year-Round |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=weatherspark.com |language=en}}</ref>

[[Köppen-Geiger climate classification system]] classifies its climate as [[humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] (Cfa).<ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{Cite web |title=Climate: Ulundi – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table |url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/27384/ |access-date=2013-12-10 |publisher=Climate-Data.org}}</ref>{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|location=Ulundi
|Jan high C=28.2
|Feb high C=28.3
|Mar high C=27.3
|Apr high C=25.9
|May high C=24.3
|Jun high C=22.4
|Jul high C=22.5
|Aug high C=23.8
|Sep high C=25.0
|Oct high C=25.7
|Nov high C=26.3
|Dec high C=27.6

|Jan mean C=22.9
|Feb mean C=23.1
|Mar mean C=22.1
|Apr mean C=20.3
|May mean C=18.2
|Jun mean C=16.0
|Jul mean C=16.1
|Aug mean C=17.2
|Sep mean C=18.8
|Oct mean C=19.9
|Nov mean C=20.9
|Dec mean C=22.1

|Jan low C=17.6
|Feb low C=17.9
|Mar low C=16.9
|Apr low C=14.8
|May low C=12.2
|Jun low C=9.7
|Jul low C=9.7
|Aug low C=10.7
|Sep low C=12.6
|Oct low C=14.1
|Nov low C=15.6
|Dec low C=16.7

|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation mm=123
|Feb precipitation mm=109
|Mar precipitation mm=90
|Apr precipitation mm=49
|May precipitation mm=28
|Jun precipitation mm=18
|Jul precipitation mm=18
|Aug precipitation mm=30
|Sep precipitation mm=56
|Oct precipitation mm=98
|Nov precipitation mm=110
|Dec precipitation mm=115

|source 1= ''Climate-Data.org'' (altitude: 535m)<ref name="Climate-Data.org"/>

}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://zululand.kzn.org.za/zululand/about/9.html Battles around Ulundi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828132541/http://zululand.kzn.org.za/zululand/about/9.html |date=28 August 2008 }}
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Ulundi}}

{{Zululand District Municipality}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ulundi, Kwazulu-Natal}}
[[Category:Populated places in the Ulundi Local Municipality]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1873]]

{{KwaZuluNatal-geo-stub}}