Taking its name from the isiZulu word meaning “place of rest”, Maphumulo Local Municipality is bounded to the north by Tugela River and extends approximately 30km to its southern boundary with Ndwedwe Local Municipality. It is situated on the R74 Road from KwaDukuza to Kranskop and linked to Ndwedwe in the south by the P711. The primary administrative centre of the Municipality is the town of Maphumulo, which is located approximately 38km north-west of KwaDukuza Municipality.

• Maphumulo has agriculture as the main economic activity to such an extent that at least 50% of the households are involved in agricultural activities.
• Most of the land is associated with Ingonyama Trust followed by private ownership and a very small percentage is directly under the control of the municipality.
• It has numerous opportunities for tourism which include many natural assets such as the main rivers; uThukela, UMvoti River and the Die Kop Mountain.
• Cultural resources include, the nine Iron Age sites, historical sites of Cetshwayo’s grave and a world battle site of the Bambatha Rebellion where Zwide of the Ndwedwe clan was defeated by Shaka and itshe lika Ntunjambili.