A small seaside village about 87 km south of Durban, it is predominantly a holiday and fishing village. The name "Mtwalume" is derived from isiZulu, and refers to the tall upright trees growing on the river bank. The Mtwalume River winds for 85 km and ends in a waterfall near Highflats.[2]
Mtwalume is largely made up of rural, but modern villages. The majority of the Mtwalume land area falls under the traditional chieftaincy of iNkosi Bhekizizwe Luthuli whose residency is near Turton. Some of the well-known Mtwalume villages lie along the Indian Ocean coast. These villages are Mnafu, Turton, Makhoso and Gobhela. Inland villages include eNyangwini, Nomakhanzane, Dingimbiza, eMabheleni, KwaQoloqolo, Othandweni, Nomoyi and Bangibizo. Mtwalume is bordered on the north by Efafa - another coastal town - and on the south by Hibberdene.
There are a number of primary and secondary schools in Mtwalume, and they largely teach in isiZulu and English. Some of the primary schools are Esbanini Primary School (in eNyangwini), KwaNomakhanzane Primary School, Bangibizo Primary School, Mandlendoda Primary School (in Turton), Gobhela Primary School, KwaBhavu Primary School (in Othandweni) and Wilder Primary School (in KwaQoloqolo). Secondary (i.e. high) schools include Luthuli High School (in Turton), Mthwalume High School (in KwaQoloqolo), KwaFica Secondary School (in Bangibizo), Zibonele Secondary School (in KwaNomakhanzane) and Bonguzwane Secondary School (in eNyangwini).
Transport, housing and other infrastructure
Most of the inland roads are gravel although tar roads dominate the coastal areas. People largely use taxis and buses. The main taxi rank is found in Turton at the intersection of Sipofu Road and R102. There is also a significant percentage of people who own cars. Most of these people are teachers, health professionals, police and other workers. The working population (outside of teachers, police and health workers) work in the nearby towns of Port Shepstone, Margate, Shelly Beach, Hibberdene, Umzinto and Scottburgh. Some people work as far as Durban.