Inanda Durban eNanda | |
|---|---|
  Inanda Durban  Inanda Durban | |
| Coordinates:29°41′S30°56′E / 29.683°S 30.933°E /-29.683; 30.933 | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Municipality | eThekwini |
| Area | |
• Total | 26.81 km2 (10.35 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 158,619 |
| • Density | 5,916/km2 (15,320/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| • Black African | 99.4% |
| • Coloured | 0.2% |
| • Indian/Asian | 0.2% |
| • White | 0.1% |
| • Other | 0.2% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| • Zulu | 88.6% |
| • Xhosa | 4.5% |
| • English | 2.4% |
| • S. Ndebele | 1.4% |
| • Other | 3.1% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Postal code (street) | 4310 |
| PO box | 4309 |
| Area code | 031 |
| Website | http://inanda.co.za/ |
Inanda oreNanda[2] (isiZulu:pleasant place, also possibly,level-topped hill) is a township in DurbanKwaZulu-Natal,South Africa that is situated 21 km north-west ofDurban. It forms part ofeThekwini, the Greater Durban Metropolitan Municipality. Populated primarily byZulu-speakingBlack Africans, Inanda is the home ofJohn Langalibalele Dube, first President of theAfrican National Congress (ANC), a former residence and base of operations ofMahatma Gandhi, and the birthplace of thesyncreticNazareth Baptist Church
Inanda Township, situated within theeThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, holds historical significance as one of the original townships in the region. Initially, during the 17th century, it served as a vital oasis for local Indigenous farmers. The landscape transformed with the arrival of white settlers in the late 1700s, and by the 1800s, Inanda Township became designated as a 'Reserve' for Black and less educated individuals. Indian farmers became part of the community in 1936, further enriching its cultural fabric.
The year 1951 marked a pivotal shift with the introduction of theGroup Areas Act by the government. This legislation led to an influx of Black residents into Inanda Township, accompanied by challenges arising from inadequate infrastructure encompassing housing, schools, clinics, roads, sanitation, and water systems. The lack of proper planning detrimentally impacted the quality of life for the township's inhabitants.
Tensions escalated between the Indian and African communities between 1984-1987, resulting in significant political and racial clashes. As a consequence, many Indian residents relocated to nearby areas such asVerulam, KwaZulu-Natal,Phoenix, Durban, andOttawa, KwaZulu-Natal.[3] Despite South Africa's firstdemocratic elections in 1994, Inanda Township continued to experience relative neglect from theeThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in terms of developmental initiatives.
Notably, on April 27, 1994, Inanda Township[4] gained recognition as the location whereNelson Mandela cast his vote, marking a momentous occasion in the country's history. This event coincided with his election as the first Black President of the Republic later that same year.
John Langalibalele Dube, affectionately known as "Mafukuzela," alongside his wifeNokutela Dube, were born in the 1870s at an American-operatedChristian mission station located in Inanda. As the son of a respected Zulu clergyman, Dube received his education atOberlin College in the United States. Upon his return to his birthplace of Inanda, Dube embarked on a path of intellectual exploration, composing a series of insightful essays concerning the history and advancement of Africans. In 1903, he made a significant contribution to media by establishing the inaugural bilingual Zulu/English newspaper, titledIlanga laseNatali (The Sun of Natal).
He assumed the role of the first president of theSouth African Native National Congress, from 1912 to 1917. This organization later evolved into the influentialAfrican National Congress.[5] Inspired by the work ofAfrican-American educatorBooker T. Washington and hisTuskegee University, Dube and his wife founded several schools in Inanda, includingOhlange High School, Redfern Primary School, and Langalibalele High Primary School. Dube's home neighborhood in Inanda, Dube Village, now contains numerous memorials to his efforts.
In the year 1903,Mahatma Gandhi, who had established his residence in the nearby city of Durban in 1893, founded a modest settlement known as Phoenix Settlement on the northwestern periphery of Inanda. This village-like community featured residences, a clinic, a school, and a printing press, and played a pivotal role as a dwelling place for Gandhi, his family, and his supporters. Their collective mission was to advocate for societal transformation through nonviolent resistance. The influential newspaperIndian Opinion, which vigorously championed the civil rights of bothIndian South Africans andnative Africans, was published from this site in four different languages.
Even after Gandhi's departure in 1914, Phoenix Settlement continued to be a home for various residents and activists, including his son,Manilal Gandhi. As the 1980s unfolded, the vicinity of the Settlement witnessed the emergence of asquatter camp named Bhambayi, which eventually encompassed much of the area. The year 1985 witnessed riots within the camp, driven by opposition to apartheid policies, resulting in significant damage to the structures of Phoenix Settlement. Subsequently, the community largely fell into disuse until February 2000, when then-PresidentThabo Mbeki formally committed to its reestablishment and restoration. This commitment materialized within the same year, leading to the successful restoration of Phoenix Settlement.[6]
Phoenix Settlement was declared a National Heritage Site by the South African government in 2020.[7][8]
In the early 20th century,Isaiah Shembe, a prominent Zulu mystic and charismatic preacher, established the Nazareth Baptist Church in Inanda. ThisAfrican initiated church elements ofChristianity with indigenousZulu traditions. Central to the church's teachings are principles ofabstemious living and adherence to theTen Commandments. The followers of this faith, commonly referred to as "Shembe,"quasi-messianic attributes to Isaiah Shembe and his descendants. Over the course of more than a century since its inception, the Church has experienced multiple divisions. The majority of Shembe adherents continue to originate from the KwaZulu-Natal region, and the revered historical site of the Inanda church headquarters, known asekuPhakameni, remains in active use.
During the period spanning from 1978 to 1994, Inanda witnessed a series of intense confrontations between its African and Indian communities, leading to significant upheaval. A notable outcome of these events was the relocation of a substantial portion of the town's Indian populace to the neighboring areas of Phoenix and Verulam.[9]
Adjacent communities within theKwaZulu-Natal province, including the prominent city ofDurban, encompassKwaMashu andNtuzuma. Inanda Township occupies an extensive geographical area and is segmented into multiple sections. Unlike neighboring KwaMashu, these divisions are denoted by actual names rather than letters. Among these sections are Inanda Newtowns A, B, and C (locally referred to as Ematendeni), Dube Village, Ezimangweni, White City, Langalibalele, Ohlange, Amaoti, Lindley, Congo (D.R), Amatikwe, Phola, Ngoqokazi, Tafuleni, Ntanda, Emachobeni, Ngcungcwini, Soweto, and Glebe. Although there exists ongoing discourse concerning whether the area extending from Umzinyathi to Manyaseni falls within Inanda's boundaries, it is situated within the Qadi Area. However, the Qadi Area lacks official standalone recognition, necessitating its residents to employ Inanda for postal addresses and commercial purposes. Notably, the Inanda section of Ohlange has evolved into a notable tourist destination due to its significant historical association with the esteemed late Dr.John Langalibalele Dube.[10]
In the realm of economics, Inanda Township exhibits a range of features. To the northern extent of the township lies Inanda North Town Centre, colloquially referred to as eMtshebheni by locals. This hub encompasses various establishments including well-known stores. Adjacent to this commercial zone is theInanda SAPS Station.
On the southern fringes of the township stands the Dube Village Mall, a tribute to the late Dr.John Langalibalele Dube.[11] Within this mall, one finds amenities such as theInanda Post Office and a variety of other stores.[12]
Turning to infrastructure, the township has several community health centers catering to residents' healthcare needs. Notable among these are the Inanda CHC Clinic on Umshado Road, Newtown C, as well as the Inanda Newtown A & B Clinics, Sivananda Clinic in Ohlange, St. Joseph's Roman Clinic in Amatikwe, and Bhekimpilo Clinic in Amatikwe, among others. The Abalindi Old Age & Orphanage Home is located in Amatikwe.
Additionally, the township offers various recreational facilities, including sporting fields with the Dr. JL Dube Stadium being a prominent landmark. These are complemented by children's parks and innovative Fitness Parks introduced by theeThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle within the township. Notably, the Tafuleni Cemetery Park in the Tafuleni Section holds significance as one of the largest cemetery parks within theeThekwini Metropolitan area.[13]
There is also theElangeni FET College, located in Ohlange along Dr. Langalibalele Dube Drive, stands as a tertiary educational institution. The college is dedicated to providing courses encompassing Business and Engineering qualifications among its offerings.
Inanda serves as the central hub for the bilingual (English/Zulu) radio station, Inanda FM], which airs across the entirety of KwaZulu-Natal. It broadcast in both English andZulu. As of November 2010, The station boasts an audience of more than 102,000.[15][16]
Additionally, it holds historical significance as the birthplace of theIlanga laseNatal, an esteemed newsletter publication founded byJohn Langalibalele Dube.[17]
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