Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal
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Kloof
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Suburb of: | Durban | ||||||||||||
Established: | 1903 | ||||||||||||
Postcode: | 3610 | ||||||||||||
Population: | 12,000 | ||||||||||||
Median property value: | R2,500,000 [1] $357,143 |
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Kloof is a leafy, middle- to upper class suburb and small town, that includes a smaller area called Everton, in the greater Durban area of eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The word Kloof means 'gorge' in Afrikaans and the area is named after the deep ravine formed by the Molweni stream (stream of high cliffs). The Kloof Gorge is part of the 4.47 square kilometre Krantzkloof Nature Reserve.
Kloof extends from the top of Field's Hill and borders Winston Park, Gillitts and Hillcrest. These suburbs are collectively known as the Upper Highway Area or the Outer West region of Durban.
The M13 highway (built in the 1940s) intersects Kloof and on 16 June this forms part of the route of the annual Comrades Marathon, an approximately 90km ultra-marathon run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban since 1924.
It is a predominantly white, English-speaking area. Kloof features several upmarket shopping centres and the Kloof Country Club, founded in 1927. It is known as a mist-belt with winding roads and tree-surrounded mansions.
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[edit] History
Residents of Durban built country house retreats that were relatively close to the city. As the roads improved, an increasing number of people began permanently living in Kloof and during the 1960s and 1970s, the development of the traditional Kloof houses occurred. These consisted of large houses that were built on stands of at least one acre (4,000 m²). Many of the houses have slate roofs, a swimming pool, small guest houses and tennis courts and they are often tucked away amidst the trees.
Examples of these can be found in the prime areas of Kloof which are in the golf course and the Everton-Meadow Lane areas.
[edit] Reputation
As a result of the legacy of the old country houses, and the newer mansions with their high walls and much higher gables, as well as the frequency of tennis courts and stables and the nearby country club, Kloof has earned a reputation as the suburb for old money in KwaZulu-Natal. Especially since Durban's Berea rejuvenated into the avant-garde; whilst the nouveau riche are most at home in Umhlanga.
[edit] Demographics
Annual income distribution: [1]
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[edit] Property
The South African property market, though still arguably undervalued has seen high growth since 2003 and most prime Kloof properties sell for between R2,000,000 and R3,000,000 which is well above the regional average (which is under R800,000.) The larger homes, rarely on the market, are sold for between R6,000,000 and R30,000,000. These are, however, still at a discount by international standards.
Although it is regarded as a mature suburb, with most of the Upper Highway Area's recent condominium developments taking place in neighbouring Hillcrest, rich residents and newcomers are still building large houses where land is available, though these are built in Tuscan, Tudorbethan and modern designs. Today one can find almost any style of architecture in Kloof.
[edit] Schools
Kloof has a highly regarded state school network that consists of Kloof High School, Kloof Senior Primary School, Kloof Junior Primary School and Kloof Pre-Primary School.
There are also several private schools located in Kloof including the prestigious St Mary's Diocesan School for Girls and Thomas More College. In the broader area there is also Highbury Preparatory School in Hillcrest and Kearsney College in Botha's Hill.
[edit] Wildlife
The many trees that define Kloof provide for an abundance of birdlife, including the Crowned eagle.
Other wildlife has been preserved in greenbelt areas such as the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, which includes the Kloof Gorge, and the Everton Conservancy.
The area around the gorge was once the habitat of leopards and a leopard features prominently on the Kloof crest.
[edit] Botanical gardens
Private botanical gardens which were established by a well-known horticulturalist are now the gardens of a hotel. Visitors are able to arrange guided tours.
[edit] The golf course
The Kloof Country Club includes a highly-rated 18-hole golf course, which was the only golf course outside of Durban for many years. The M13 highway runs parallel to it.
[edit] Places of interest
[edit] Accommodation
- Crowhurst Place (luxury guest house in Everton)
- Eagles View Bed and Breakfast(luxury B&B in Kloof)
- Kloof Falls Lodge (bed and breakfast)
- Makaranga Garden Lodge (botanical gardens, 5-star luxury Protea-affiliated hotel and facilities)
- Tanglewood Estate (5-star luxury guest house in Everton)
[edit] Shopping
- Delcairn Centre
- Field's Shopping Centre
- Maytime Shopping Centre
- The Village Mall
[edit] Activity centres
- Kloof Country Club (golf course, tennis and squash courts, cricket oval, and facilities)
- Krantzkloof Nature Reserve and Kloof Gorge
- Kloof Methodist Church
- Kloof Tennis Club
- Rotary Club of Kloof
- St. Agnes Anglican Church
- Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Parish
- Virgin Active gym (formerly Health & Racquet Club)
[edit] Famous residents: past and present
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Peter Brown, politician
- Sir William Firth
- Sir Guy Hulett, sugar baron
- Marguerite Poland, author
- Elizabeth Sneddon, playwright
[edit] External links
- Kloof Country Club
- Kloof Pre-Primary School
- Kloof Junior Primary School
- Kloof Senior Primary School
- Kloof High School
- St. Mary's DSG
- Thomas More College
- Eagles View Bed and Breakfast
[edit] References
- ^ Statistics South Africa, Census 2001, Head of Household, South Africa by Province and Municipality
Province of KwaZulu-Natal |
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Provincial Capital: | ||
Major Metros: | ||
District Municipalities: |
Ugu | Umgungundlovu | Uthukela | Umzinyathi | Amajuba | Zululand | Umkhanyakude | uThungulu | iLembe | Sisonke |
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Local Municipalities: |
Amajuba | Zululand | Umkhanyakude | uThungulu | Umzinyathi | Uthukela | Umgungundlovu | iLembe | eThekwini | Ugu | Sisonke | |
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Smaller Cities: |
Empangeni | Kokstad | Ladysmith | Newcastle | Port Shepstone | Richards Bay | KwaDukuza | Tongaat | Vryheid |