NEWCASTLE - CAPITAL OF NORTHERN KWAZULU NATAL

THE INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND AGRICULTURAL GROWTH POINT OF THE REGION

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Consistent growth over the past four decades has seen Newcastle grow from a rural town to what is now referred to as the capital of Northern KwaZulu-Natal.
While this growth can be attributed to the industrial development, the town has retained its “country atmosphere” and is surrounded by a balance of green hills and level plains.

POPULATION
Since the incorporation of the previous KwaZulu towns into Newcastle, the town's population has swelled almost ten fold from around 40 000 to well over 413 000.
Of particular pride is the large Chinese population which has settled in Newcastle as a direct result of the local council's rigorous marketing campaign in the Far East.
Today the town is believed to have the largest population of immigrant Chinese in the country.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Newcastle remains a prime venue for major sports competitions and conferences because of the wealth of facilities the town has to offer.
An excellent variety of rugby, cricket, soccer, squash, tennis, swimming and other sport facilities has contributed to the town's ability to host both national and international events.
The Olympic-sized, Newcastle Swimming Pool, has in the recent past hosted the All-Africa Development Gala. The greater Newcastle area boasts a modern indoor gym complex, five public swimming pools, two golf courses,

a mashie course, two active bowling clubs, a horse riding club, 4x4 trails to mention just some.
The Town also boasts 5 public libraries and 7 public halls including the Town Hall built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Jubilee and the modern Show Hall in the Show grounds, which includes conference and catering facilities and is large enough to accommodate some indoor sports, large functions and even pop concerts.

COMMERCE
Over the past decade, the town has seen a major increase in commercial activity and today all the major chain stores, banking and financial institutions are represented in Newcastle.
The development of two new major shopping complexes and the upgrading of existing ones at the cost of over R40 million indicates the increase in the local confidence, spending power and economy.
Newcastle was the first town in the province to be awarded a casino license and now boasts the Blackrock Casino.

INDUSTRY
Its ideal geographical situation - midway between Johannesburg and Durban, giving easy access to the markets of Gauteng and overseas markets via Durban – has played a major role in the town's industrial development.
Despite major cut-backs by some of Newcastle's larger industrial concerns the town's vigorous marketing campaign, which began in 1983, has secured its industrial future.
The steel industry, chemical plants. Footwear, clothing and textile industries are major role players in the manufacturing sector in the
greater Newcastle area.
Also represented, however, are domestic appliances, electronic equipment, pottery and toy manufacturers. All of which are well supported by both heavy and light engineering works.

MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN NEWCASTLE

STEEL
Iscor is the dominant steel producer on the African continent, producing six million tons of final products per annum.
Newcastle Works is located in the Northern boundary of the Town and produces 1.5million tons of long steel products of which 52% is exported to countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, the middle East, North and South America, and Australia.

CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
Karbochem a member of the AECI Group of companies has a large plant on the eastern boundary of the town and produces Calcium Carbide, Sodium di-chromate, Chromic Acid, and methylamines, dimethymines and mooisopropylamines.

GENERAL INDUSTRIES
Venco has a large steel fabrication works. Natal Portland Cement has a large cement factory utilising blast furnace slag from Mittalsteel to make an excellent, slagmented, cement with high durability characteristics. Then there are over a hundred textile factories making everything from materials to fine suits, jeans, casual wear and jerseys. There is also a block making factory and a number of general engineering support and contract businesses.

MARKETING
The Town is continuing its intensive marketing programme and through membership of the KwaZulu Marketing Initiative, several large industrial investments have been secured.
Some 100 factories, from Taiwan and China, mainly in textile and garment manufacturing, have been established through the years.

GROWTH
Newcastle and its surroundings, is one of the fastest growing regions in KwaZulu-Natal and currently enjoys a stable growth rate. Is ideal locality, combined with modern facilities and amenities have contributed to its growth over the past two decades.

"Tourism Newcastle is your one stop information centre for the Newcastle District. We will gladly provide you with any information you may need regarding accommodation, facilities and all Tourism related activities in our area. Please contact us on tel: 034 315 3318 or e-mail us at info@newcastle.co.za if you require any other information."