About eMalahleni

eMalahleni, still widely known by its former name Witbank, sits on the Mpumalanga Highveld and takes its isiNdebele name from the coal seams beneath it: eMalahleni means "place of coal." It is the beating heart of South Africa's coal-mining industry, ringed by collieries and Eskom power stations that supply much of the country's electricity, and mining remains the backbone of the local economy. The town grew up around the railway line linking Pretoria to Maputo, and its centre still reflects that early 20th-century mining-town layout. Witbank Dam, just outside the CBD, offers a break from the industrial landscape with boating, fishing and lakeside recreation, while the Highveld Mall anchors the town's retail and social life.

eMalahleni's spring weekends open with choral music, as the Choral Ignite Series - Mpumalanga takes the stage this week. Touring concerts follow with Vusi Nova: Here to Stay National Tour - eMalahleni, while cyclists take to the streets for the Coaldust Circuit Race eMalahleni. Highveld Mall hosts a cause-driven walk, the Bettie Bandana PINK FUN WALK, and industry visitors close out the month at The Venue at The Ridge Casino for the eMalahleni Mining Energy Industrial Expo 2026.