| Mpophomeni | |
| Pushpin Map: | South Africa KwaZulu-Natal#South Africa |
| Coordinates: | -29.567°N 30.182°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | South Africa |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | UMgungundlovu |
| Subdivision Type3: | Municipality |
| Subdivision Name3: | uMngeni |
| Subdivision Type4: | Main Place |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Leader Title: | Councillor |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 4.58 |
| Population Total: | 25732 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Racial makeup (2011) |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Black African |
| Demographics1 Info1: | 99.6% |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Coloured |
| Demographics1 Info2: | 0.2% |
| Demographics1 Title3: | Indian/Asian |
| Demographics1 Info3: | 0.1% |
| Demographics1 Title4: | White |
| Demographics1 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics1 Info5: | 0.1% |
| Demographics Type2: | First languages (2011) |
| Demographics2 Title1: | Zulu |
| Demographics2 Info1: | 90.2% |
| Demographics2 Title2: | English |
| Demographics2 Info2: | 5.6% |
| Demographics2 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics2 Info5: | 4.2% |
| Timezone1: | SAST |
| Utc Offset1: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code (street) |
| Postal Code: | 3291 |
| Postal2 Code Type: | PO box |
| Postal2 Code: | 3291 |
| Area Code Type: | Area code |
| Area Code: | 033 |
Mpophomeni is a town in Umgungundlovu District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.
In 1968 the South African government built in an open field a township called Mpophomeni to relocate the black people living in the surroundings of Howick, a picturesque little town in the Natal Midlands. Mpophomeni (which means the place of the waterfall in isiZulu) derives its name from the well known Howick waterfall.[2]
In the late 1980s and early 1990s there was a fight between the community of Mpophomeni and the people living in the rural areas of Kwa Shifu, Haza and Mashingeni. The community of Mpophomeni were ANC (African National Congress)supporters and the rural areas were strongly behind the opposing IFP (Inkatha Freedom Party). The death of Nokulunga Gumede, a five-year-old girl who was run down by a military vehicle (Casper) during the violence taking place in the township at the time was a catalyst for change – no-one stopped the violence when they had the chance.
Reconciliation only truly started between the township and the rural occupants in 1993 and 1994. A memorial was built in remembrance of this and named after Nokulunga Gumede - the youngest victim of the violence as well as commemorating the 120 people that died.[2]
There are three high schools, Mpophomeni High, Asibemunye and Umthombo as well as five primary schools namely, Sifisesihle, Zamuthule, Qhamukile, Isibongo and Nhlanhleni.
Activities include: annual dog show;[3] Zulu Mpophomeni Tourism Experience;[4] Enviro-clubs;[5] AIDS Ministry;[6] ThinkQuest Competition;[7] Mpophomeni Computer Centre and SchoolNet;[8] Centre for Criminal Justice.[9]