udusi

uDusi, also known as the Dusi River, is a river in eastern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Rising in the Drakensberg foothills, it flows generally southward to the Indian Ocean, draining a catchment that includes rural communities, agricultural land, and peri-urban areas around Pietermaritzburg and Durban.

In isiZulu, the prefix u- denotes a river, and uDusi is the traditional name for this watercourse. The river is fed by rainfall and tributaries and exhibits a seasonal regime, with higher flows in the summer months and occasional floods after heavy storms.

uDusi is notable for its ecological and recreational roles. It is the site of the Dusi Canoe Marathon, a long-running three-day paddling race from Pietermaritzburg toward the coast near Durban, attracting paddlers from across the country and beyond. The river also supports local fisheries and serves as a water resource for nearby communities, contributing to regional livelihoods and outdoor recreation.

Environmental health in the uDusi catchment is influenced by land use, including agriculture and urban development. Management efforts focus on balancing water use with conservation, including monitoring water quality and habitat integrity, and coordinating among regional authorities, municipalities, and communities to reduce erosion and protect aquatic ecosystems.

See also: Dusi River, isiZulu toponymy, KwaZulu-Natal rivers, Dusi Canoe Marathon.