Mkhabathini is an isiZulu word derived from eMkhambathini meaning "the place of acacia trees".

[4] The municipality is well located in relation to Durban and Pietermaritzburg and adjoins Cato Ridge, a potential industrial node.

The N3, which is identified in the Spatial Growth and Development Strategy as a provincial corridor, runs east–west through the central part of the municipal area.

Seven councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in seven wards, while the remaining seven are chosen from party lists so that the total number of party representatives is proportional to the number of votes received.

In the election of 1 November 2021 the African National Congress (ANC) won a majority of nine seats on the council.