KwaMashu is a

township A township is a kind of human settlement or administrative subdivision, with its meaning varying in different countries. Although the term is occasionally associated with an urban area, that tends to be an exception to the rule. In Australia, Ca ...

north of

Durban Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

. The name is in honour of

Sir Marshall Campbell Sir Marshall Campbell (1848–1917) was a pioneer of the sugar industry in the Colony of Natal and parliamentarian concerned with Bantu affairs. The ''Conquering Hero'', a brig of 320 tons under Captain Cockburn, sailed from the Clyde (Glasgow ...

and means ''Place of Marshall''. KwaMashu is bordered by

Newlands East Newlands East is a township located 17 km north-west of Durban in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Geography Newlands East is bordered by Newlands West to the west and south, Durban North to the east and KwaMashu to the north ...

to the south,

Newlands West Newlands West is a township located 15 km (by road) north-west of Durban in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Af ...

to the west,

Ntuzuma Ntuzuma is a town in eThekwini in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. With a population of 114,231 (Census 2001), Ntuzuma is the youngest of the four "PINK" (Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu) programme townships, and was built by th ...

to the north,

Phoenix Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore * Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States Phoenix may also refer to: Mythology Greek mythological figures * Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...

to the north-east,

Mount Edgecombe Mount Edgecombe or Mt Edgecombe is a gated community in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, situated just north of Durban, which forms part of eThekwini, the Greater Durban Metropolitan area. It is famous for resorts and golf. It includes a retiremen ...

to the east and

Durban North Durban North is an area to the north of Durban in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Durban North lies between the N2 freeway and the eastern seashore, with the Umgeni River forming its southern boundary. It ha ...

to the south-east.

Arts

KwaMashu is notable for its lively performing arts scene, which includes

Maskandi Maskandi is a form of Zulu folk music, originally associated with migrant workers, that is evolving with South African society. Often characterised by a picking guitar style which draws on a variety of historical influences it also has an impor ...

, hip hop, pansula dancing, dance, drama, football. 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.

Uzalo ''Uzalo'' is a South African soap opera produced by Stained Glass Productions, which is co-owned by Kobedi "Pepsi" Pokane and Gugu Zuma-Ncube. It began airing in 2015, quickly becoming a hit due to its compelling narrative, writing, direction an ...

, a

telenovela A telenovela is a type of a television serial drama or soap opera produced primarily in Latin America. The word combines ''tele'' (for "television") and ''novela'' (meaning "novel"). Similar drama genres around the world include '' teleserye'' ...

is shot and set in kwaMashu as well as the drama series

eHostela eHostela is a television drama series in South Africa. Cast Starring * Thobani Nzuza as Mndeni * Wiseman Mncube as Jama * Lungelo Mpangase as Khethiwe * Lindiwe Ndlovu as MaKhumalo * Mabutho Sithole as Scelo Sikhosana * Sthandwa Nzuza as F ...

that's on

Mzansi Magic Mzansi Magic is a South African digital satellite and general entertainment channel created by Multichoice and run by M-Net's local interest division, and is broadcast on DStv. History The channel launched in mid-July 2010 on channel 107 as M- ...

. 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 more than 4 years.

Civil Society

The

Abahlali baseMjondolo Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM, , in English: "the residents of the shacks") is a socialist shack dwellers' movement in South Africa which organises land occupations, builds communes

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

*Bhekilanga Lower Primary *Buhle Higher Primary school *Daluxolo Lower Primary *EThekwini Junior Primary *Dumani Lower primary School *Gugulethu Lower Primary School *John Dube High School *Khethamahle Higher Primary School *Khuphukani Lower Primary School *Kwesethu High School *Mukelani Higher Primary *Mzuvele High School *Ndabazezwe Lower Primary School *Ngazane Lower Primary *Nhlakanipho High School *Nkulisabantu Lower Primary *NqabakaZulu Comprehensive High School *Phakama Higher Primary *Phumelela Higher Primary *Phuthumani Primary *Shayamoya Lower Primary School *Sibonelo High School *Sivananda FET School *Siyanda Mazulu primary school *Thandimfundo Lower Primary School *Thandukwazi Higher Primary School *Tholamandla Higher Primary School *Zakhe High School *Dukemini Lower Primary School *Vuyiswa Mtolo High School *Vilakazi Junior Primary School *Zeph Dlomo High School *Zamokuhle Lower Primary School *Ekusizaneni Higher Primary School *Laerskool Eenheid Primary School

Related Townships

* Inanda *Ntuzuma *

uMlazi Umlazi is a township in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, located south-west of Durban. Organisationally and administratively it forms part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality and its South Municipal Planning Region. It is the fourth largest ...

*Chesterville *Lamontville

Notable People from KwaMashu

Pius Langa Pius Nkonzo Langa Order of the Baobab, SCOB (25 March 1939 – 24 July 2013) was Chief Justice of South Africa, serving on the Constitutional Court of South Africa, Constitutional Court. He was appointed to the bench in 1994 by Nelson Mandela, h ...

, former Chief Justice of the

Constitutional Court of South Africa The Constitutional Court of South Africa is a supreme court, supreme constitutional court established by the Constitution of South Africa, and is the apex court in the South African judicial system, with general jurisdiction. The Court was fi ...

. *

Henry Cele Henry Cele () (30 January 1941 – 2 November 2007) was a South African actor noted for his portrayal of the great Zulu Warrior King Shaka kaSenzangakhona in the South African television miniseries ''Shaka Zulu'' (1986) as well as in the televi ...

, actor *

Leleti Khumalo Leleti Khumalo (born 30 March 1970) is a South African actress known for her leading role in the movie and stage play ''Sarafina! (musical), Sarafina!'' and for her roles in other films such as ''Hotel Rwanda'', ''Yesterday (2004 film), Yesterd ...

, actress * Mandla Langa, poet, short-story writer, novelist, and cultural activist. * Thenjiwe Maphumulo Moseley, comedian and actress *

Siyabonga Nomvethe Siyabonga Eugene Nomvethe (; born 2 December 1977) is a South African former professional soccer player who played as a forward. Nomvethe played in several European leagues. Nomvethe represented the South Africa national team from his debut on ...

, football player *

Jeff Radebe Jeffrey Thamsanqa "Jeff" Radebe (born 18 February 1953) is a South African politician who was last appointed as Minister of Energy by Cyril Ramaphosa on 26 February 2018. He served in the government of South Africa as Minister in the Presidency ...

, politician *

Zakes Bantwini Zakhele Madida (born May 26, 1980) professionally known as Zakes Bantwini, is a South African singer, record producer and businessman. Born from KwaMashu F-section, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He has worked with fellow musician Black Coffee, ...

, musician, record producer *

Jacob Zuma Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma (; born 12 April 1942) is a South African politician who served as the fourth president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018. He is also referred to by his initials JZ and clan name Msholozi, and was a former anti-aparth ...

, Former President of the

Republic of South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

Riky Rick Rikhado Muziwendlovu Makhado (20 July 1987 23 February 2022), known professionally as Riky Rick, was a South African rapper, singer and producer. He was also the founder and owner of record label Cotton Club Records and a member of Boyz N Buck ...

, hip hop recording artist and record producer *

Nomzamo Mbatha Nomzamo Mbatha (born 13 July 1990), is a South African actress, television personality, businesswoman, accountant and human rights activist. Early life Nomzamo Mbatha was born on 13 July 1990 in KwaMashu Township, approximately , by road, nor ...

, actress * Deborah Fraser, gospel singer * Siyanda Xulu, football player *

Zakwe Ntokozo Zakwe is a South African Rapper born in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal. Early life Zakwe was born in the township of KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal. He went to Qhilika High School where he completed his matric and developed his passion for hip hop ...

, rapper *

Mzi Khumalo Mzi Godfrey Khumalo (born 4 November 1955) is a South African businessman and mining entrepreneur. Early life Raised by a single mother, Khumalo grew up in KwaMashu‚ Durban. One of ten siblings, his father died before he was nine years old. ...

, businessman & mining entrepreneur *

Khulubuse Zuma Clive Khulubuse Zuma is a South African businessman, and the nephew of the former President, Jacob Zuma. Zuma was named in the Panama Papers leak as a result of his links to oilfields in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Shortly afte ...

, businessman *

Siboniso Gaxa Siboniso "Pa" Gaxa (born 6 April 1984 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal) is a former South African football defender who played for Ajax Cape Town, Kaizer Chiefs F.C., Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. and the South African national team. Personal Gaxa hails f ...

, football player * Nomonde Mbusi, actress

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.

References

External links

STILL MY HOME: KWAMASHU
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kwamashu Populated places in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality Populated places established in 1950 Townships in KwaZulu-Natal Suburbs of Durban