Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal

Balgowan is a valley in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in South Africa.

Balgowan
A goods train approaching Balgowan station
Balgowan Show map of KwaZulu-Natal Balgowan Show map of South Africa Balgowan Show map of Africa
Coordinates: 29°22′S 30°1′E
Country	South Africa
Province	KwaZulu-Natal
District	uMgungundlovu
Municipality	uMngeni
Area [1]
• Total	3.84 km2 (1.48 sq mi)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	980
• Density	260/km2 (660/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011) [1]
• Black African	40.6%
• Coloured	2.9%
• Indian/Asian	4.9%
• White	50.8%
• Other	0.9%
First languages (2011) [1]
• English	48.6%
• Zulu	37.0%
• Afrikaans	10.7%
• Xhosa	1.2%
• Other	2.5%
Time zone	UTC+2 (SAST)
PO box	3275

The town of Balgowan is not much more than an old trading store and a train station where locally grown timber is picked up. However, nearby is Michaelhouse, the Anglican boarding school for boys in the Diocese of Natal, an exclusive private boarding school. The school complex, built in the English gothic style from red Pietermaritzburg brick, includes a chapel which is open to the public, featuring a stained glass rose window by Ervin Bossanyi.

As elsewhere in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Balgowan has some wealthy farmers, mostly in the timber production industry (pine and eucalyptus) or in dairy and cattle farming. Popular niche soft drinks manufacturer Frankie's Soft Drinks Company is located in the town.

The Midlands Meander, a scenic tourist route featuring arts and crafts, restaurants and accommodation, runs through Balgowan on the R103 road.