Facts & Figures For Vryheid

Vryheid is the largest town in the AbaQulusi Municipal area in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal and is the heartbeat of a vast regional area. Situated 1178M ABOVE SEA LEVEL, it has an average temperature of 25C in summer and 11.9C in winter. It falls within the summer rainfall area, and has an average annual precipitation of 780mm as compared with the whole of South Africa at 502mm.

 

The predominant vegetation types occuring in the region are GRASSLAND, BUSHVELD AND FOREST, with numerous variations within each type. Vryheid is located near the sources of the four major rivers: the White and Black Mfolozi, Mkhuze and Phongola Rivers and part of the Tukhela catchment as well. This ensures many WETLANDS, some of which (Bloodriver, Aloeboom and Lenjane) are of provincial importance.

The population of the region is about 230 000 with Zulu, Afrikaans, German, English, European and Asian cultures. The diverse population ensures exposure to many TRADITIONS AND CULTURES. Schools are numerous and satisfy all four major language groups. Vryheid is approximately 320km from Durban, 420km from Johannesburg, 400km from the Kruger National Park and 1500km from Cape Town. It has a viable economic structure reliant on farming, mining, timber and small industry.

ECO-TOURISM has become vital to the economy and is represented by Vryheid Tourism, a non-profit organisation which can be contacted through the Vryheid Information Bureau.