UMLAZI
DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL
According to Zulu tradition, King Shaka, while travelling through the area, refused to drink from a local river, because the water tasted like ‘umlaza’ – the sour acid produced from fermented milk. The region has since been called Umlazi.
Located to the south-west of Durban, Umlazi is the only township with its own registration plate – NUZ. Ever since Umlazi was formally established as a township in 1967 it has grown rapidly to become the vibrant and diverse cultural powerhouse it is today.
Umlazi is the birthplace of many well-known South Africans including journalist and magazine editor, Khanyi Dhlomo, and AIDS activist Promise Mthembu. Although Umlazi has enjoyed an increase in Government and private investments over the years, it still sports an abundance of untapped potential.
When creative sparks fly: the story of Nkanyiso Nyuswa
When Nkanyiso Nyuswa was growing up, he dreamt of becoming an electrician. But dreams don’t always come true – and sometimes that’s a good thing. The stories of so many successful business owners teach us that when our life journeys demand a U-turn, things might turn...
Fuelling success: the Ntanto Gas journey
The journey of Ntanto Gas started in December 2016 when Mzomuhle Mzimela started a business to leave a legacy for his family. When he passed away in 2019, his daughter, Zama, stepped in to ensure that her father’s dream lived on.For Zama, this was about more than...
Co-creating safer communities
A small group of unarmed women patrol the streets of a neighbourhood where the sound of gunshots rings out at night. A team gathers in the make-shift corrugated iron structure that is home to the ‘boardroom’ where they plan both safety and sports activities for their...
Umlazi market day brings community together
Markets hold a special place in our hearts. They bring communities together and offer a platform for local entrepreneurs to shine. On Saturday, September 30th, the Proud of My Town Umlazi team, in collaboration with Umlazi Tourism, continued their mission to foster...
Festival vibes for Umlazi
The Umlazi Market and Sports Festival held on 6 May 2023 proved to be a true celebration of community spirit and a testimony to the power of collaboration! With over 300 participants and 400 attendees, the festival served as a warm-up for the main festival scheduled...
Unlocking opportunities for urban food systems
“More than with any other of our biological needs, the choices we make around food affect the shape, style, pulse, smell, look, feel, health, economy, street life and infrastructure of the city” 1 The Umlazi Food Network is an inspirational community-led project that...