Pietermaritzburg

Pietermaritzburg (; Zulu: uMgungundlovu) 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. 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. It had a population of 228,549 in 1991; the current population is estimated at over 600,000 residents (including neighbouring townships) and is a melting pot of different cultures & races, including Indian, African, White & Coloured people. Prior to December 1st 2023, vehicle registration plates in Pietermaritzburg started with NP - N for Natal & P for Pietermaritzburg. Pietermaritzburg is an emerging metropolitan area.