Nelspruit

Nelspruit is a city in eastern South Africa that serves as the capital of Mpumalanga province. It is commonly known as Nelspruit, though it was officially renamed Mbombela in 2010, and both names are used in reference to the city. The urban area is the administrative and economic center of the province, situated in the Lowveld region near the Crocodile River and at the edge of the escarpment leading to the highveld.

Geography and transport play a key role in its function. The city lies near the confluence of the Nels and Crocodile rivers, close to the northeastern part of the country’s low-lying savanna. It is a gateway to major southern Africa attractions, including the Kruger National Park and the Panorama Route. The region is served by Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, located near White River, and by the N4 highway, which connects to Pretoria in the north and Maputo in Mozambique.

History and name. The settlement developed in the late 19th century as a commercial and agricultural hub, named after the Nels River with the Afrikaans word spruit meaning “creek.” The renaming to Mbombela was part of a broader trend to reflect local languages and heritage, though many residents and institutions still use Nelspruit.

Economy and features. Local activity centers on agriculture—especially citrus and subtropical fruit—alongside services and government administration. The city hosts facilities for tourism, conferences, and commerce, and is near attractions such as the Lowveld National Botanical Garden and the Mbombela Stadium, which gained prominence during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.