Today in Mthatha, South Africa, the sun rises at 6:36 AM and sets at 5:43 PM, giving the city exactly 11h 6m of daylight. That is 1 minutes longer than yesterday—approaching the solar plateau near the Winter Solstice. With 122 days until the Winter Solstice on December 21, Mthatha is currently in its Winter season.
Golden Hour & Twilight Windows in Mthatha
For photographers, filmmakers, and outdoor enthusiasts, the morning golden hour in Mthatha runs from N/A to 7:09 AM. The evening golden hour begins at 5:09 PM and lasts until 5:43 PM.
Civil twilight—when there is still sufficient ambient light to see clearly outdoors—begins at N/A. Mthatha sits in the subtropics, where the annual swing in daylight is moderate.
Solar Noon & UV Index
Solar noon in Mthatha falls exactly at 12:09 PM, which is the moment the sun reaches its peak altitude of 38.72 above the horizon. At this specific time, the solar angle produces a moderate UV level. Light protective clothing is adequate for most outdoor activities in Mthatha today.
Why Does Sunrise Shift in Mthatha?
At Mthatha's latitude of -31.5895919°, the sun currently rises at an azimuth of 144.11° (SE). Because of the Earth's axial tilt, this position shifts slightly every day. Sunrise and sunset times for Mthatha are calculated using advanced solar algorithms (SunCalc) based on coordinates -31.5895919, 28.787774. Times are mathematically accurate to ±30 seconds.
Historical Sunrise in Mthatha (Past Years)
Due to the Earth's precise orbit, solar times remain highly consistent year over year. Here is a comparison of today's sunrise and sunset times in Mthatha versus 1 year and 5 years ago:
| Year | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 6:36 AM | 5:43 PM | 11h 6m |
| 2025 | 6:35 AM | 5:43 PM | 11h 7m |
| 2021 | 6:35 AM | 5:43 PM | 11h 7m |
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the sun rise in Mthatha today?
In Mthatha, the sun rises at exactly 6:36 AM and sets at 5:43 PM today. This gives the city a total of 11h 6m of daylight.
When is golden hour in Mthatha today?
Today, morning golden hour in Mthatha runs from N/A to 7:09 AM. Evening golden hour begins at 5:09 PM and lasts until 5:40 PM.
Why does sunrise in Mthatha shift every day?
At Mthatha's latitude, the sun currently rises at an azimuth of 144.11° (SE). Because of Earth's tilt, the city is approaching the solar plateau near the Winter Solstice until the Winter Solstice on December 21.
What is the UV Index in Mthatha at solar noon?
Solar noon occurs at 12:09 PM when the sun reaches 38.72. This produces a moderate UV level. Light protective clothing is adequate for most outdoor activities in Mthatha today.
Has the sunrise time in Mthatha changed compared to previous years?
Due to the Earth's precise orbit, solar times remain highly consistent year over year. Exactly one year ago in 2025, sunrise was at 6:35 AM, and five years ago in 2021, it was at 6:35 AM.