Inanda Township, situated within the
eThekwini 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 the
Group 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 as
Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal,
Phoenix, Durban, and
Ottawa, KwaZulu-Natal. Despite South Africa's first
democratic elections in 1994, Inanda Township continued to experience relative neglect from the
eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in terms of developmental initiatives. Notably, on April 27, 1994, Inanda Township gained recognition as the location where
Nelson 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.
Mafukuzela (11 February 1871 – 11 February 1946) was a South African essayist, philosopher, educator, politician, publisher, editor, novelist and poet.
John Langalibalele Dube, affectionately known as "Mafukuzela," alongside his wife
Nokutela Dube, were born in the 1870s at an American-operated
Christian mission station located in Inanda. As the son of a respected Zulu clergyman, Dube received his education at
Oberlin 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, titled
Ilanga laseNatali (The Sun of Natal). He assumed the role of the first president of the
South African Native National Congress, from 1912 to 1917. This organization later evolved into the influential
African National Congress. Inspired by the work of
African-American educator
Booker T. Washington and his
Tuskegee University, Dube and his wife founded several schools in Inanda, including
Ohlange 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.
Gandhi and the Phoenix Settlement in South Africa, 1906. 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 newspaper
Indian Opinion, which vigorously championed the civil rights of both
Indian South Africans and
native 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 a
squatter 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-President
Thabo Mbeki formally committed to its reestablishment and restoration. This commitment materialized within the same year, leading to the successful restoration of Phoenix Settlement. Phoenix Settlement was declared a National Heritage Site by the South African government in 2020.
Nazareth Baptist Church In the early 20th century,
Isaiah Shembe, a prominent Zulu mystic and charismatic preacher, established the Nazareth Baptist Church in Inanda. This
African initiated church elements of
Christianity with indigenous
Zulu traditions. Central to the church's teachings are principles of
abstemious living and adherence to the
Ten 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 as
ekuPhakameni, remains in active use.
Racial Conflict 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. ==Geography==