History
Pinetown was established in 1850 as a small settlement on the route between Durban and the interior, named after Sir Benjamin Pine who was Lieutenant-Governor of Natal. The settlement grew slowly as a service point on the wagon route. The construction of the Durban-to-Johannesburg railway through the valley in the 1890s spurred growth, and the 20th century saw Pinetown develop as Durban's main industrial satellite, with New Germany industrial township attracting manufacturing investment from the 1940s onward. New Germany's name reflects the German immigrant community that settled in the area in the 1840s.
What Pinetown is Known For
Pinetown is most associated with its industrial corridor, particularly the New Germany industrial township which is one of the most significant light manufacturing zones in KwaZulu-Natal. The Comrades Marathon route between Durban and Pietermaritzburg passes through Pinetown — the "Down" run descends through the town toward Durban and is one of the most memorable sections of the race for spectators. The nearby Valley of a Thousand Hills, visible from the hillsides above Pinetown, is one of KwaZulu-Natal's most spectacular landscapes.
Key Areas & Neighbourhoods
The Pinetown commercial centre along Old Main Road is the historic retail core. New Germany is the industrial area housing manufacturing operations. Westville and Cowies Hill adjacent to Pinetown are more upmarket residential areas that blend into the western Durban suburbs. Mpumalanga township is a large working-class residential area. The N3 highway and M13 are the main arterials connecting Pinetown to both Durban and the Midlands.
Economy & Industry
Pinetown's economy is anchored by light and medium manufacturing in the New Germany industrial area, including food processing, textiles, chemicals, and component manufacturing. The corridor position between Durban Port and the Johannesburg-Durban national road makes it a significant logistics node. Retail serves a large residential population. Property values are more affordable than Durban's coastal suburbs.
Tips for Visitors & New Residents
Pinetown is approximately 15 km from central Durban on the N3 — under normal conditions a 20-minute drive, though the N3 between Durban and Pinetown carries extremely heavy traffic during peak hours. Westville and the adjacent suburbs offer more residential amenity than central Pinetown. The Valley of a Thousand Hills viewpoints are accessible from roads above the N3 and offer exceptional scenery on clear days. The Comrades Marathon through Pinetown on the first Sunday of June is worth watching live.