Hammarsdale, KZN

Despite their defeats in battles with the Boers and the British during the nineteenth Century, the Zulus have remained an active force in South African politics and are particularly strong in KwaZulu-Natal. The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), formed in 1975 by former ANC Youth League member; Mangosuthu Buthelezi and currently the Country’s fourth-largest political party, has long been associated with Zulu nationalism and draws most of its support from Zulu-speaking people. They have successfully put behind them the bitter political feuding of the 1980's and early 1990's, that claimed the lives of so many of their loved ones and neighbours. Crime, unemployment, taxi disputes and poverty still remain to be, major challenges. But they’re tackling them with the same vigour and self reliance with which they laid to rest the ghosts of their past. The IFP and ANC were originally allies in the fight against apartheid, but the IFP’s ardent nationalism soon proved to be a major hassle for the ANC, who responded with attacks on opposing IFP members.

A bitter and violent conflict between the two parties ensued during the 1980's and 1990's, which, according to some, claimed around twenty Thousand lives. Although the fighting is now restricted to isolated – and increasingly rare – incidents, the political rivalry continues. It is the ANC, however, which has gained the upper hand in KwaZulu-Natal and is currently in control of the Provincial legislature.

Hammarsdale is a Township in eThekwini, in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. Refered to as 'Mpumalanga'. It is a Township about 10 km South-East of Cato Ridge and some 50 km West of Durban. Derived from Zulu word meaning; 'sunrise' or 'the sun comes out'. The Township boasts of a local library known as Mpumalanga Library and a shopping center which has become the heart of the Township known as the Hammarsdale Junction. There is a local stadium and an Elangeni College campus located in the heart of Hammarsdale, with a University nearby. Amenities such as: Clinics; a Police Stations; a SASSA and a Home Affairs Office and the Township has a variety of schools, as mentioned! Therefore the Township is evolving with the times of the Country!