KwaMashu

KwaMashu is a township twenty miles north of Durban, South Africa with very high levels of poverty and crime.

History

The township was formed by the apartheid state to house the mass resettlement of Africans that were living in Cato Manor during 1958-65. It is the largest of 3 townships in the area (Inanda and Ntuzuma are more rural with a lower population density). Until 1994, apartheid rules meant that it was illegal for white people to live in the township, or for blacks to live in the nearby city of Durban.

Renewal

In total the Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (INK) area is home to 500,000 people living on 9,572 hectares of land, with almost 25% having incomes below subsistence level - and a 30% unemployment rate. The area is associated with high levels of violence and crime, 17 times higher than the affluent areas of the urban core (Hindson, 2001).

Due to high rates of deprivation, unemployment and a turbulent political history these three townships have been grouped together for the purpose of State regeneration and poverty alleviation projects by the South African Government. The City of Durban or eThekwini Municipality runs a system of governance called Area Based Management (ABM) as part of the South African government’s urban renewal program. INK ABM’s stated aims are to complement the services of the municipality whilst focusing on the mobilisation of actors and the coordination of secure integrated and sustainable development at the local level. Projects include the development of a shopping centre and health care clinics, providing microfinance to small business and creating agricultural opportunities for unemployed women, funding local development projects.

Arts

KwaMashu is notable for its lively performance arts scene. Although the people of KwaMashu have to cope with issues of high rates of sexual abuse, violence, crime and high rates of HIV, within the township, a lively performing arts scene thrives including Maskandi, hip hop, pansula dancing, dance, drama. Through performance the young people of KwaMashu are raising the cultural profile of KwaMashu, aided significantly by the skills, resources and direction of eKhaya Multi Arts Centre for Arts and Performance.

The township also boasts a community radio station at the eKhaya Multi Arts Centre, called Vibe 94.70 FM, which has been in operation for two years.

Civil Society

The Abahlali baseMjondolo movement is very prominent in the informal settlements and transit camps in the KwaMashu area. They claim to have membership in K-section, Siyanda A, B, and B5, and in two Richmond Farm transit camps.

Public schools

• NqabakaZulu Comprehensive High School
• Sibonelo High School
• Sivananda FET School
• Zakhe High School
• Mzuvele High School
• Zeph Dlomo High School
• John Dube High School
• Mukelani Higher Primary
• Nkulisabantu Lower Primary
• Bhekilanga Lower Primary
• Phuthumani Primary
• Kwesethu High School
• Daluxolo Lower Primary
• Ngazane Lower Primary
• Nhlakanipho High School
• Phakama Higher Primary
• Shayamoya Lower Primary School
• Dumani Lower primary School
• Buhle Higher Primary school
• Ndabazezwe Lower Primary School
• Tholamandla Higher Primary School
• Thandimfundo Lower Primary School
• Khuphukani Lower Primary School

Related Townships

• Inanda
• Ntuzuma
• uMlazi
• Chesterville
• Lamontville

Famous People from KwaMashu

• Siyabonga Nomvethe
• Leleti Khumalo
• Henry Cele
• Alfred/Tu Nokwe (Nokwe Family)
• Sipho Gumede
• Jeff Radebe
• Dumisani Makhaye
• Mandla Masuku
• Qunta Mbhele
• Bongani Nkwanyana
• Themba Gasa
• Eugine Mthethwa
• Mtholephi Mthimkhulu
• Lindiwe Ntuli
• Lucky Molefe
• Siphiwe Khanyile
• Sipho Mkhize

KwaMashu on film

• 2008 film "Kwa Mashu: Still my Home" by director Owen 'Alik Shahadah in conjunction with South African arts centre Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre under K-CAP with Edmund Mhlongo (Executive Producer), based in KwaMashu. The film is about the history of the township.

External links

• STILL MY HOME: KWAMASHU