KwaMashu

KwaMashu is a large township located approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) north-west of Durban, South Africa. It was established in the late 1950s and early 1960s by the then apartheid government to provide housing for black African workers who were being displaced from inner-city areas under the Group Areas Act.

The name KwaMashu is derived from that of Sir Marshall Campbell, a prominent sugar cane farmer and businessman in the region. "Kwa" is a Zulu prefix signifying "the place of" or "at the home of". Therefore, KwaMashu translates roughly to "the place of Marshall".

KwaMashu experienced significant social and political upheaval during the apartheid era and in the lead up to South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994. It was a site of intense conflict between supporters of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the African National Congress (ANC).

Today, KwaMashu remains a densely populated residential area. Efforts are underway to improve infrastructure, housing, and economic opportunities for its residents. It is a vibrant community with a rich cultural heritage and a significant role in the history of Durban and South Africa. Despite past challenges, KwaMashu is actively developing and striving towards a better future for its inhabitants.