As of 2016, the Ugu District Municipality has a population of 753 336 people compared to 2011 where it had a population of 689 051 which indicates that between 2011 and 2016 the population grew at about 8.5%. The annual population growth was 2.03% and the number of men per 100 females decreased from 91.8% in 2011 to 88.4% in 2016.
Geography
It is bordered by the Indian Ocean on the east, East Griqualand in the west, Durban in the north, the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in the north-west and the Mtamvuna River to the south. The Mtanvuma River is the southernmost border which borders between KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. , located just south of Durban The coastline between Amanzimtoti and Clansthal is normally regarded part of the South Coast however according to Tourism KZN, the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast starts officially from Scottburgh in the north to Port Edward in the south.
Administration
The region is governed by the Ugu District Municipality with its seat in Port Shepstone. The three different regions are administered by their respective local municipalities. The only exception is where the Hibiscus Coast is governed by two local municipalities:
also known as the Lower South Coast stretches from Hibberdene in the north to Port Edward in the south and Izingolweni in the west. Hibiscus Coast is the ultimate economy booster of the South Coast due its location and as well as being home to the South Coast 's economic hub, Port Shepstone. It is known as the 'beach holiday mecca' of KwaZulu-Natal and is known for its 'unending' Hibiscus trees found along the coast.
Harding and Surrounds
is a small town located halfway between Port Shepstone and Kokstad in Griqualand East. It is famous for its sawmills in the Weza area and the Ingeli Forest.
Facilities
The KZN South Coast has nine hospitals.
Public Hospitals
Dunstan Farell Hospital, Hibberdene
G.J Crookes Hospital, Scottburgh
Murchsion District Hospital, Murchison, near Port Shepstone
The South Coast has more golf courses than any other section of South Africa; many of them are 18-hole courses and are in the country's top 100 courses. They include:
The region is connected by the N2, R61 and the R102. - The N2 connects to Durban, Richards Bay and Ermelo to the north and Mthatha, Buffalo City, Port Elizabeth, Garden Route and Cape Town to the south. - The R61 connects to Mthatha, Graaf-Reinet and Beaufort West. - The R102 connects to Durban, KwaDukuza and Empangeni. The N2 runs parallel on the coast from Port Shepstone and northwards and inland from Port Shepstone to Kokstad and southwards to Cape Town. The largest traffic volumes pass along the N2 towards Port Shepstone, and further towards Kokstad, as well as the R61 from Port Shepstone towards Port Edward. Large volumes of traffic also pass along the R612 from Park Rynie to Ixopo, and the road from Umtentweni to St Faith’s. The South Coast has its own toll route called the "South Coast Toll Road" which is situated on the N2 between Hibberdene and Southbroom. It includes three toll plazas:
Izotsha Ramp Toll Plaza, Shelly Beach
Oribi Toll Plaza, Port Shepstone
Umtentweni Ramp Toll Plaza, Umtentweni
An alternative route to the toll road when going north to Durban or south to Port Shepstone, Margate or Shelly Beach is the R102 from Port Shepstone.
The newspapers in the KZN South Coast are the South Coast Herald, South Coast Fever and South Coast Sun. In terms of radio, East Coast Radio and Ukhozi FM are the main radio stations mainly serving the whole province of KwaZulu-Natal.
