Queensburgh

Queensburgh is a town in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa that is situated inland (southwest) from Durban and now forms part of eThekwini, the Greater Durban metropolitan area.

History
The hilly area was settled by people working in Durban who wanted to escape the humidity of the coastal city. In 1924, four residential townships in the area, Malvern, Escombe, Northdene and Moseley (now forms part of Pinetown) combined to form the town of Malvern. In 1952, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne, Malvern received municipality status and changed its name to Queensburgh.

Geography
Queensburgh is situated approximately 9 kilometres (6 mi) south-west of the Durban CBD, with much of the town situated between the uMbilo River to the north and the uMhlatuzana River to the south. Its neighbouring towns/cities are Pinetown to the west, Westville to the north-east, Durban to the east and Chatsworth to the south.

Suburban areas
Queensburgh is the collective name of a few smaller suburbs situated on the undulating hills south-west of Durban, mainly encompassing the suburbs of Northdene, Malvern and Escombe.

The 2011 census divided the urban area of Queensburgh into eight “sub places” including:


 * Buffels Bosch
 * Burlington Greenfields
 * Escombe
 * Malvern
 * Northdene
 * Queensmead Industrial
 * Shallcross
 * Shallcross Ext 2

Rail network
Metrorail operates commuter trains on the two commuter lines that pass through Queensburgh, namely the Old Main Line in the centre and the New Main Line to the south.

Old Main Line, the older main railway line between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, has train stations in Queensburgh at Northdene, Escombe, Malvern and Poet’s Corner. New Main Line, the newer main railway line between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, has train stations in Queensburgh at Shallcross, Burlington and Cavendish.

Road network
The main freeway through Queensburgh is the M7, also known as Solomon Mahlangu Drive (previously Edwin Swales VC Drive) which runs from the Bluff in the east to Pinetown in the north-west with exits at Bellville Road and Main Road. In passing Queensburgh it also gives access to the N3 and N2 freeways.

Main Road, designated as the M5, is the main local arterial through Queensburgh leading north towards Pinetown and east towards Bellair in Durban. Stella Road, designated as the M10, is a local arterial leading east towards Bellair too.

Demographics
Queensburgh has a diverse population. The suburb has a significant Indian population who moved to the area from neighbouring townships after apartheid had ended.

English is the dominant language followed by Zulu, Afrikaans and Xhosa.