Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal

This article is about the town. For President Zuma's homestead, see Nkandla (homestead).
Nkandla

Road to Mnyakanya High School, Nkandla
Nkandla

 Nkandla shown within South Africa

Coordinates: 28°37′21″S 31°5′22″E / 28.62250°S 31.08944°ECoordinates: 28°37′21″S 31°5′22″E / 28.62250°S 31.08944°E
Country South Africa
Province KwaZulu-Natal
District Uthungulu
Municipality Nkandla
Government
 • Type Ward 5
 • Councillor Phumzile Rolca Dlamini
Area[1]
 • Total 7.00 km2 (2.70 sq mi)
Elevation 1,090 m (3,580 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 3,557
 • Density 510/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
 • Black African 98.1%
 • Coloured 0.4%
 • Indian/Asian 0.3%
 • White 0.7%
 • Other 0.5%
First languages (2011)[1]
 • Zulu 92.4%
 • English 3.0%
 • Other 4.6%
Postal code (street) 3855 up to 3859
PO box 3855
Area code 035

Nkandla is a town in the uThungulu district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is the seat of the Nkandla Local Municipality, and the district in which the residence of the current President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma is located. Contrary to common perception, the residence is not located in the town of Nkandla, but rather 40 kilometres to the south beyond the Nkandla Forest and on the road to Kranskop.

The Nkandla region encompasses nearly 115,000 inhabitants, spread relatively sparsely over a large area. Nkandla is mainly a rural area and is in the top five of the poorest places in KwaZulu-Natal province. Poverty is prevalent, with 44% unemployment.[2][3] The majority of the population are Zulus.

A documentary, "Orphans of Nkandla" by the BBC and Truevision, recounted the hardships and poverty of orphans in Nkandla.

Zuma was joined by Nelson Mandela to open Mnyakanya High School in 2004.[4]

Geographic location

 Ulundi Richards Bay
Vryheid Eshowe, Indian Ocean
   Nkandla  
Greytown
Pietermaritzburg
Durban

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Main Place Nkandla". Census 2011.
  2. ↑ http://citizen.co.za/147907/zumas-guilded-battlements-besieged/
  3. ↑ http://you.co.za/news/six-reasons-why-public-protector-thuli-madonselas-nkandla-report-is-important/
  4. ↑ Mokgola, Thabo (3 March 2004). "South Africa: Zuma, Mandela to open school". South African Government News Agency. Retrieved 11 March 2012.