Pinetown is just inland from Durban, and was established in 1850 around the Wayside Hotel. This was the main wagon route between Durban and Pietermaritzburg and was named after the governor of Natal, Sir Benjamin Pine. Pinetown covers the area from Cowies Hill in the east, to Mariannhill in the west.

Several schools, including the Pinetown Boys' High School and Pinetown Girls' High School exist in the area, not neglecting several primary schools, such as Benjamin Pine Primary School, Sarnia Primary School and Ashley Primary School.

The majority of the country’s leading chain stores are available, whilst a rich selection of speciality shops are also on offer. In the Pinetown area, you could almost eat out at a different restaurant every night, with a large variety of styles to choose from. Nowadays Pinetown is a busy centre, regarded as a predominantly light industrial area and is also a sought after residential suburb.