kwaMakhutha Township

Coordinates: -30.0300, 30.8610
Updated: 20 Jul 2026

KwaMakhutha is a township in KwaZulu-Natal, inland from Amanzimtoti, located south of Durban. Known for its strong cultural traditions but also facing challenges like poverty, crime, and recent flooding, with historical significance including the infamous 1987, KwaMakhutha Massacre involving state-sponsored violence during apartheid. The name means "at the Makhutha location," and it's a community dealing with ongoing development, housing, and safety issues.
On January 21 1987, 13 people died during a vicious attack on the house of Victor Ntuli at KwaMakhutha near Amanzimtoti. This 1987 KwaMakhutha massacre, where gunmen attacked the home of a UDF activist, killing women and children, was linked to state-sponsored paramilitary operations during apartheid.

Location Map

kwaMakhutha Township

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Last updated · 20 Jul 2026

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2026, January 21). kwaMakhutha Township. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/zu/ref/P-0153287

South African History Online (2026) 'kwaMakhutha Township', South African History Online, 21 January. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/zu/ref/P-0153287 (Accessed: 24 July 2026).

South African History Online, kwaMakhutha Township [website], https://sahistory.org.za/zu/ref/P-0153287, (accessed 24 July 2026).

"kwaMakhutha Township." South African History Online, 21 Jan. 2026, https://sahistory.org.za/zu/ref/P-0153287. Accessed 24 July 2026.

South African History Online. "kwaMakhutha Township." South African History Online. January 21, 2026. https://sahistory.org.za/zu/ref/P-0153287.