KHAYAMANDI

Khayamandi is a suburb just outside Stellenbosch, with a population of about 30 000, generally made up of people who came from the rural areas of South Africa (and even other African countries) in search of work and a better future for themselves and their families.

The settlement was established in 1941 and was always characterised by severe material poverty.  Though improvements have been made in the last decade, informal settlements still dominate Khayamandi and the absence of parks, playgrounds, shops and social services is evident.

The unemployment rate is high.  Most residents try to survive, and sometimes manage to thrive, in the informal sector.

Coupled with a high incidence of HIV/AIDS and related problems the environment in Khayamandi is at times unstable, yet at the same time vibrant and dynamic.