Umlazi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Umlazi is a township on the east coast of South Africa. The wider Umlazi area has a population of 750,000.
According to legend, the name Umlazi comes from "umlaza" (Zulu for rotten milk). It is believed that when Shaka was passing through the area, he refused to drink from a local river claiming it had the taste of "umlaza". From that incident, the area has infamously been called Umlazi.
AIDS is a significant problem in Umlazi; 21% of women who visit clinics in the township are reported to be HIV positive. Umlazi, like many townships in the urban areas of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, is witnessing increased private and government investment, as witnessed in the construction of new shopping complexes, primary and secondary schools, technikons and libraries. The new educational infrastructure is particularly important, as an affordable, easily accessible quality secondary education is valuable for many children in Umlazi, particularly with regards to their search for employment following school (most do not attend tertiary institutions due to their family's financial resources). In the Reunion section of Umlazi, the Mega City shopping mall has been finished and has proven to be a success (judging by the number of patrons it attracts from those living in Umlazi and Lamontville).
