[5] On June 3, 2024, a large tornado struck the town, uprooting trees, damaging vehicles, and causing multiple homes to collapse in the Magwaveni and Sandfields neighborhoods.

The reason for the relocation was also attributed to the fact that oThongathi serves as the nearest urban service centre to the Ndwedwe area.

A final decision on the demarcation proposals is yet to made as several objections and concerns have been raised over the negative economic impact it could have on eThekwini.

oThongathi is nestled among rolling hills dominated by sugarcane fields, just inland from the coast and primarily located south of the uThongathi River.

Gopalall Hurbans Road forms the main thoroughfare through the oThongathi CBD, lined by a number of local retailers, shops, restaurants and other businesses.

It is a private hospital operating 24-hour emergency services and is located in the heart of the town just off Ushukela Drive (Watson Highway).

The airport offers several flights to towns and cities domestically in South Africa as well as internationally to Doha, Dubai, Harare, Lusaka, Manzini and Istanbul.

The town is also served by regional routes, including the R102, Gopalall Hurbans Road, which runs through oThongathi, connecting Umhlali to Verulam and the R614, which links to Wartburg in the north-west.

Additionally, the M43, Ushukela Drive, heads south-east toward the coast, connecting oThongathi to Westbrook and providing access to the N2.