033 area code at a glance
The quick answer, before the sales pitch.
| Area code | 033 |
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| Main centre | Pietermaritzburg |
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| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
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| Towns covered | Pietermaritzburg, Howick, Hilton, Richmond, Underberg |
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| Dialling from abroad | +27 33 — drop the leading 0 |
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| Number type | Geographic landline range (available as VoIP) |
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The Pietermaritzburg business landscape behind the 033 code
Pietermaritzburg is KwaZulu-Natal's legislative capital and an inland logistics staging point on the Durban–Gauteng corridor, with strong education, legal and agricultural sectors.
Within the 033 footprint, the commercial activity concentrates around the Pietermaritzburg CBD, Cascades, Hilton and Howick.
A business advertising a 033 number is read by local customers as being part of that
economy rather than a national call centre.
Who typically runs a 033 line
- Law firms and advocates practising at the provincial courts
- Private schools, colleges and education services
- Agricultural suppliers and co-ops across the Midlands
- Inland logistics and depot operators on the N3 corridor
Connectivity in the 033 area
Fibre reaches most of the built-up commercial areas in this region, with fixed-LTE a common and workable alternative on the outskirts. Either handles a VoIP line comfortably.
Plans available with a 033 number
Every Hopetel plan includes a Pietermaritzburg area-code number and SIP credentials.
Starter — R250/mo
150 minutes, SIP credentials, call forwarding. Ideal for sole traders.
Business — R410/mo
500 minutes, priority support. Our most popular plan.
Pro — R550/mo
1 000 minutes, priority support. Built for high call volume.
033 area code — frequently asked questions
Which province is the 033 area code in?+
The 033 dialling code is in KwaZulu-Natal. It covers Pietermaritzburg, Howick, Hilton, Richmond, Underberg. Dialled from outside South Africa it is +27 33.
Which towns does the 033 area code cover?+
033 covers Pietermaritzburg, Howick, Hilton, Richmond, Underberg. All of these fall within KwaZulu-Natal.
Do I need to be in Pietermaritzburg to get a 033 number?+
No. A Hopetel 033 number is a VoIP line, so you can answer it from anywhere with an internet connection — a softphone app on your phone or laptop, or a desk phone. Your customers see a local Pietermaritzburg number regardless of where your team sits.
Can I port my existing 033 number to Hopetel?+
Yes. Number porting costs R250 once-off and typically takes about 3 working days. Your existing 033 number keeps working until the switchover completes.
What is the difference between a 033 and a 031 number?+
Both are geographic South African numbers — 033 signals Pietermaritzburg and KwaZulu-Natal, while 031 signals Durban. If most of your customers are in and around Pietermaritzburg, 033 is the one that reads as local to them. Hopetel offers both, and you can hold more than one number.
How much does a 033 business number cost?+
Plans start at R250/month for the Starter line (150 minutes), R410/month for Business (500 minutes) and R550/month for Pro (1 000 minutes). All are month-to-month with no lock-in contract, and every plan includes SIP credentials.
Get a 033 number for your business
Pietermaritzburg area code · From R250/month · No contract · Active within 1 business day