Pinetown (L13)

Name: Pinetown

Pinetown is a small city just inland from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Pinetown is situated 16 km west of Durban at an elevation of 1,000 to 1,300 feet (305 to 395 m). It was established in 1850 around the Wayside Hotel, itself built the year before along the main wagon route between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It was named after the governor of Natal, Sir Benjamin Pine. The British built a concentration camp here during the Second Boer War to house Boer women and children.

Pinetown is now part of the larger eThekwini Municipality and, for voting purposes, falls within the IEC electoral Ward 18. The area from Cowies Hill in the east along Old Main Road/M1 to Westmead ( industral area ) in the west is commonly referred to as the Pinetown area, although Pinetown strictly extends from Caversham Glen to Manors. The structures of the original town can be found at the corner of Old Main/Stapleton roads.

Pinetown Cricket Club, established in 1873, is believed to be the oldest in KwaZulu-Natal and among the oldest still in existence in South Africa. The club, originally located in central Pinetown at the current Civic Centre location, has now moved to Lahee Park. Under the chairmanship of then Pinetown mayor, Vernon Hall, with facilities at their peak, Lahee Park hosted ten first class games between 1974 and 1979. Former internationals Norman Crookes (twice selected for the Springbok squad) and Tertius Bosch represented the club. Current (2010) Dolphins players Khaya Zondo and Cameron Delport call the club home as do KZN "B" cricketers Bruce Kruger and Kyle Buckthorp.

The city has several schools: Pinetown Boys' High School, Pinetown Girls' High School, Benjamin Pine Primary School (R-7), Sarnia Primary School, Highway Christian Abademy, John Wesley School, Pinetown Junior & Senior Primary School, Browns School, St Benedict College, Lyndhurst Primary, New Germany Primary and Ashley Primary School. The only Afrikaans-medium school in the area is Gelofte Skool, meaning 'promise school'.

The shack dwellers' movement Abahlali baseMjondolo is very strong in Pinetown particularly in the Motala Heights, Motala Farm, Mpola and New eMaus settlements.

Pinetown is known as a 'motor town', because of many motor dealerships found along Old Main Road. The city is serviced by a few shopping centres, Pine Crest/Pine Walk both in Kings road, Knowles ( Spar ) centre & St John's ( Checkers ) centre .For the DIY enthusiasts there are plenty DIY shops dotted along Old Main road. Pinetown is serviced by a government hospital ( St Mary's ) in Mariannhill, a private hospital (Crompton) and a private medical centre ( Medicross).


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