uMnambithi
uMnambithi, town, northwestern KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, on the Klip River. Founded in 1850 after the British annexed the area, it was named Ladysmith for the wife of Harry Smith (then governor of Cape Colony). It was besieged by the Boers during the South African War from November 1, 1899, until relieved by Redvers Buller on February 28, 1900. The 3,200 men who died in the defense and rescue of the town are commemorated in the stained-glass windows and marble tablets of the All Saints Anglican Church. An important rail junction and marshaling yard, the town markets and distributes agricultural produce over a wide area. Industry is based on food processing and the nearby KwaZulu-Natal coalfields. Ladysmith was renamed uMnambithi in 2024. Pop. (2001) city, 102,366; (2011) city, 119,726.