Nkandla, South Africa is located in the Kwazulu Natal region of South Africa. It is home to 140,000 people, almost half (46%) of whom are under age 15.  Unemployment is 90% and the majority of households are headed by women.
Nkandla has one of the highest HIV infection rates in any area in Africa. There are no reliable statistics, but the estimate is that 1 in 4 people in Nkandla are infected with AIDS. Most are malnourished.
There are two hospitals with a total of 18 clinics. Accessibility to medical care is limited in part due to the rural nature of the area, with poor road conditions. Many clinics have no running water. 
About 1/3 of the population has a primary education and only 3% make it to twelfth grade.  There are 127 primary and 45 secondary schools.  Nkandla has one library.
 
 
 

 
AIDS has exacerbated an already bad situation in Nkandla.  Lack of jobs (estimated unemployment is as high as 90%), extreme poverty (most people in Nkandla do not have enough food, adequate shelter, running water, toilets or electricity) and inadequate transportation make daily living most difficult.  The vast majority of children and families in Nkandla are struggling just to get through today.
 

 
 
 
 
 

Source: Nkandla Municipality Integrated Development Plan 2005-06 (PDF)

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