User:Nokuphiwahh

Kwalembe is partially within Umdoni Municipality, it is part of the deep rural areas of Dududu.

Situated in a small rural area in the south coast of the Ugu District in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa lays the valleys of Kwalembe, referred to by the locals as Ehlnzeni Emkomazi. Kwalembe runs the Umkomaas River where the locals collect their water.

History Kwalembe is under the chiefiency of the Mbhele clan, during the 60s the chief was Mr Vela Mbhele it passed on to his son Goodenough Mbhele during the 90s, now it is under the chief Skhulekile Mbhele. Kwalembe being a part of Dududu became infamous in the late 90's during the South African political battles that occurred after the country's first Democratic Elections. The battles spanned all over the country and Kwalembe was one of those places that were massacred, due to the rivalry between the biggest parties at that time, Inkatha Freedom Party. [1] It has been under the governance of Inkatha Freedom party until the 2000s where now it is rule by the African National Party, and in the local election son 2016 having its first ever council being a woman Balindile Mbhele since 2016.

Education Kwalembe is a small rural area with four public schools, which are Nombayingana Primary (Grade R - Grade 7), Mandlalathi Primary Grade R- Grade 7), Mandlakapheli primary & one high school Mcindo High School (Grade 8 - Grade 12). These schools are at most 1 km apart from one another. As the area is very small populated, pupils living in the valleys sections such as kwanobhodwe, kwabhudubhudu, mandlalathi, mtshingwane and mandlakapheli have to travel on barefoot for at least an hour to reach the schools. The schools are not in good condition, there is no running water taps and in toilets, and choice of sports and the level of education is low quality with not much of learning facilities, learning activities, (technology exposure and books) also no school tuck shop but since the people of the area work very hard to better themselves and reach higher heights to improve their lives.

Governance

Prior to the 2016 local elections, Kwalembe was removed from the Vulamehlo municipality and split; it is now governed by the eThekwini & uMdoni municipalities. ANC has been governing the municipality after IFP's removal in 2011, after the 4th local elections. In 2016 for the first time since 2011, kwalembe being ruled by one council who over the years had brought no change or development to the area, the locals voted for a woman. Even though locals tried to vote for change but the valley has not developed, there is still no running water taps or in toilets or any facilities in the area even the transport is poor. Residences suffer to get to the nearest clinic, hospital and town.

Settlements

Its only in 2016, a contract to install electricity and build RDP houses was given to municipality and they began working later in the year 2017. The project was completed in 2018, giving access to proper housing to a community living below the poverty line. [2] The area is underdeveloped with the main road unpaved and water is fetched from the rivers, with no taps and tanks.

Tourism and attractions

Kwalembe there is clear view of the beautiful Umkomaas River flowing down from its source across the valley. [3]

Other facilities

A design of Kwalembe water supply. [4] In Kwalembe there are two community halls, a community Court, and a community clinic (not working). The Nobhodwe sport ground which is the biggest source of entertainment in the area around December public holidays, hunderds of people from the surroundings of the valley even from the Ethekwini from likes of Umlazi, Makhutha, Embo, Magabheni they come gather together and watch the big matches of December and Easter holidays called isiteki in zulu.