Uvongo is a seaside resort town situated along the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast at the mouth of the Vungu River in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Situated 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) north of Margate, Uvongo is the largest upmarket residential area on the Lower South Coast.
Uvongo beach lost its "Blue Flag" title due to storms damaging it in April 2007 but has managed to regain a clean and prestigious beach front. Uvongo still remains the playground of the rich, with multimillion rand properties in the area. Uvongo is one of South Africa's favourite holiday destinations and attracts local and foreign tourists.
Etymology
The town is named after the main river flowing through the area, the Vungu River,
which is derived from the
Zulu language word that describes the sound of a waterfall or the wind in a gorge.
Geography
Uvongo is situated between the coastal towns of St Michael’s-on-Sea and Shelly Beach to the north, and
Manaba Beach and Margate to the south. Situated south of the Mhlangeni River, it is also bisected by the Vungu River, which forms the 23-metre Uvongo Falls above the lagoon that flows into a small gorge at the river mouth.
The Greater Uvongo area consists of three suburbs: Uvongo proper, inland from the coast; Uvongo Beach, along the coastline north of the Vungu River; and Beacon Rocks, situated south of the river.
Industries
The Uvongo industrial area, situated west of the R61, is the second largest industrial area on the Lower South Coast after Marburg in
Port Shepstone. It hosts a variety of small to medium local businesses, with the Natal Portland Cement (NPC) Quarry being the most notable economic activity. The area is primarily accessed via Quarry Road, off Wingate Road, near opposite the R61/Margate/Uvongo interchange.
Transport
Roads
Uvongo is bisected by the R620 (Marine Drive) connecting Shelly Beach to the north and Margate to the south. Situated just off the R61 highway (future N2 Wild Coast Toll Route) between
Port Shepstone to the north and Port Edward to the south, the area is also accessible via Knoxgore Road from
Gamalakhe in the north-west and Seaslopes Avenue, which provides direct access to the R61.
See also
