Howick is possibly the location of the first crewed flight in the world. Evidence exists that a John Goodman Household flew a self made glider in 1871 and again in 1875 on the outskirts of Howick, close to Karkloof. The actual distance flown and altitude achieved differs from source to source (some sources say the distance was ) but what can be verified is that the distance flown was further, and the duration also longer, than either of the flights made by Lilienthal or the Wright brothers. Today there exists a memorial to Household's achievement at Curry's Post, also a small distance outside Howick. The Umgeni Valley Ranch or Nature Reserve was established in the 1970s on the then outskirts of Howick by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA). The nature reserve consists largely of the deep valley cut by the Mngeni River below the Howick Falls into the surrounding sandstone. WESSA reintroduced game into the area, such as zebra and wildebeest, and established a number of huts for overnight accommodation. In December 1996 Nelson Mandela was awarded "The Freedom of Howick". This followed his arrest some 34 years before, on 5 August 1962, on the main Durban-Johannesburg road, as it was then — more particularly, between Howick and Lidgetton West. The previously small plaque commemorating the event has since been revamped into a fully operational Mandela Monument with a museum and large bust sculpture of Nelson Mandela, only fully distinguished when viewed from the end of the path from the museum towards the sculpture. The sculpture was created by Marco Cianfanelli and is constructed of steel beams of between in length. The annual Mandela day marathon takes place in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg and finishes at the Mandela capture site in Howick. In recent years Howick has expanded significantly following the establishment of a number of major retirement villages, such as Amberfield, Amberglen, Amber Valley, Amber Ridge, BrandonsField and Amber Lakes, that flank the Karkloof Falls Road. Notable people Mabhuti Khanyeza – Former South Africa national football team player & soccer coach Anthony Ardington – Former first-class cricketer with Oxford University & businessman Harry Preston (writer) – Author, Hollywood screenwriter. Grew up in Howick Juliet Jenkin – South African playwright See also Howick Falls References External links Umgeni Local Municipality Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve via KZN.org.za Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve via Midlands Reservations WESSA Amber Glen Amber Valley