The Population of Molweni is made up of mostly Black Africans, with Females being the predominate Gender! Molweni is a Residential Area of Western Ethekweni Municipality, Durban. This Area is peripheral to Durban’s planning networks and have not been considered in the Municipality’s planned Bus Rapid Transport network, although there has been some infrastructural investment in roads and bridges. There is a complex mix in terms of both housing and land ownership. The meaning of 'Molweni' is Xhosa and is a general greeting, 'hello'. Land ownership in the Area is a mix of tribal and private. The complex Governance arrangements between Tribal Authorities and the Metro Municipality are very unstable. Residents in Molweni experienced significant positive gains from recent state investment in micro-infrastructure in the Area, particularly in road surfacing, electricity, toilets, water, bus shelters, and schools. Local institutions such as the Greater Molweni Resource Centre were noted as playing a critical role. Residents from parts of the Area Governed by the Traditional Authorities felt ‘left out’ of some of these improvements, and experienced significant challenges in terms of access to decent housing and services. The Area had a number of orphaned households who were particularly marginalized and impoverished. Crime in the Area was rising, but it still felt relatively safe in comparison to other parts of the City. Improved transport and road surfacing significantly improved residents’ abilities to access the wider City for work and services!

The Paradise Valley Nature Reserve, 100 Hectares of coastal and remnant grassland, boasts one of the two National Monuments to be found in Pinetown – The Umbilo Waterworks, which were built in 1887 and the Indigo Vats! (There are also mysterious burial mounds of stone scattered around the Reserve.) All four of the trails in the Reserve start at the Interpretive Centre and head down through the picnic Area. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the Waterfall and another half an hour for the return. Cross the wonderful old wooden bridge at the bottom of the picnic area and follow the blue trail markers. On the other side of the river, where the trail splits, keep left on the Waterfall trail (the trail to the right is the Duiker trail). The trail goes through some large Strelitzias, (better known as Wild Bananas). Walking downstream on the right bank of the Umbilo River, you soon pass a bridge, where the Bushbuck trail comes in from the left. A little further on, you come upon the remnants of the historic old dam wall, beyond which there’s a beautiful flat rock, which makes a perfect picnic spot. Further down, you pass some historical filter tanks before walking under the N3 freeway. The Duiker trail comes in from the right; ignore this for now but make a mental note that you need to return to this point after seeing the falls. The waterfall’s viewing platform is just beyond the turn off to the Duiker trail. It’s worth taking the stone steps to the bottom of the falls, where there’s a large pool, but don’t be tempted to swim there; the Umbilo River is not known for its water quality. Turn back on the same track to where the Duiker Trail cuts in and follow the yellow markers from there. The Trail passes a small pond and the Historical waterworks slipway. When it reaches the huge yellowwood tree, the path curves right and takes you back to the wooden Bridge where you started.

In 1904, after the outbreak of Bubonic Plague, near present day Newtown, the African population in the Area was moved to the Farm; 'Klipspruit', twelve Miles South-West of the City. This Settlement became Johannesburg’s first municipal Location and in 1934 was renamed Pimville (after Howard Pim, a man who had dedicated a large part of his life to the ‘upliftment’ of Africans in Johannesburg) Walter Sisulu Square in the heart of Kliptown , Soweto, is South Africa’s first township entertainment explosion Centre, the very first of its kind eMzansi , attracting both National and International attention with its broad variety of Shops and is suitable for local traders, event coordinators and international tourist. The Square embraces a unique Historical background is South African Culture at its best, mingled up with modern Urbanization, trendsetting what South Africa is best known for, its diverse cultures and way of life, a total fascination to the outside World and those abroad. In the early 1950's a planning committee chaired by Mr FE Mentz responded to complaints from White residents in surrounding Areas and recommended that the Potchefstroom Road and Railway be the dividing line between Black and White! As Pimville fell on the ‘White’ side of this line the committee recommended its removal – a long-term project - so that ‘tensions between the races could be eliminated’! The Johannesburg City Council appealed for the retention of Pimville as it was in the process of considering a complete re-layout of the slum dominated area. Unsurprisingly, the request was rejected. The Council was also barred from incurring any further capital expenditure and the Area continued to deteriorate! The Council was reluctant to accept this as the final policy and asked the Johannesburg Non-European Affairs Department (JNEAD) led by WJP Carr to prepare a detailed memorandum which was submitted to Government officials in 1955. The Department replied that nothing could be done until the Group Areas Board had made its recommendations to the Minister regarding the proclamation of Group Areas in and around Johannesburg. This was where the matter remained until July 1958 when the Johannesburg Non European Affairs Committee (JNEAC) decided to make renewed representations. As Government policy had been firm on the issue, the Town Clerk recommended putting together the strongest possible case. It was agreed that the Council should not approach the Government for the relaying of Pimville but rather for the resettlement of families, who would have been housed on Diepkloof land that had been surrendered to the Resettlement Board for housing Africans removed from Alexandra. The impetus returned in 1960 when MC Botha replaced Mentz as Deputy Minister and in December he and Minister Nel visited the South Western Areas to see what was happening on the ground. Patrick Lewis, Chairman of the JNEAC gave a rousing welcome speech expressing his respect and gratitude to the Minister! The Minister of Bantu Development Mr De Wet Nel has reversed a former decision of the Government that Pimville should become a White Area and has agreed to allow us to build new homes there. The re-layout of Pimville and the consequent rehousing of 7,000 families living under slum conditions the Township had! Although the retention of Pimville can be considered a success, it is important to note that over time the Council was stalled in its implementation of the scheme as housing loans from the Government dried up! This was largely due to the focus on developing the Homelands and reducing the attractiveness of Urban Areas in the hope of reversing Urbanization. The Mining Houses came to the rescue and in 1966 they organised a loan of R 750 000 as a gift to Johannesburg on its 80th birthday to facilitate the completion of the Pimville scheme.

Mooi River was originally named Lawrenceville after the Irish farmer who formalized its settlement during the 1800's; the Village took its enduring name from the Voortrekker description of its River being beautiful! ( 'Mooi', which translates as 'pretty' in English) In Zulu, however, the River is Mpofana, 'Place of the Eland'. The countryside varies from Mountains in the West of the District towards Giants Castle, through rolling Hills and grassland to the thorn veld around Middelrus in the North-West. It is a well-watered landscape, most of it ideally suited to Agriculture! Mooi River forms part of the popular Midlands Meander self-drive Arts and Crafts Route, while all around are opportunities for outdoor recreation. Prior arrangements can be made to visit one of the many prestigious racehorse studs and training establishments in the vicinity, or the Weston Agricultural College Museum which also houses British Military Artefacts. On 17 August 1914, the Weston Agricultural and Allied Trades School opened on its present site at Weston, with five pupils. Two weeks previously, World War One had broken out and immediately the growth of the new school was affected. After three years, numbers had increased to sixty and in 1925 the name was changed to Weston Farm Training School. At this time a two year course was introduced with an emphasis on practical agriculture. Back in Town, the Rhode House Museum presents a wide variety of local History exhibits depicting formative activities of the Area such as polo and dairy farming. An important Village that has been incorporated gradually into Mooi River, is Rosetta. Rosetta was an integral part of the colonial farm-pioneering boom of the mid-to- late 1800's. In note book written by John Kirby, who came to the Mooi River Area in 1851, he speaks of teeming herds of game, amongst which were buffalo and lion. As time went by, the land slowly became occupied and the road to the North was developed. Originally, Weston was a Village that was the centre for transport riders with their ox wagons. Wet weather often delayed transport and at such times there were large gatherings of travelers, wagons, oxen, mules and servants. A post office was set up in 1854 and later the Lake Hotel. By 1866 there was sufficient demand for a Bridge to be built across the Mooi River. The Helen Bridge, was named after the daughter of Natal's Governor and Commander of the Imperial Troops, General J.J. Bissett-( Helen, who was noted for her beauty, married a son of Sir Theophilus Shepstone). Near the Helen Bridge are the ruins of the Lake Hotel which were destroyed by fire! This Bridge provides the necessary link between the Villages and surrounding Areas and it also assists the local communities by providing safe travel to all road users across the River. It encourages Economic development within the communities, easy access to Public transport, and improves access to emergency services such as ambulances and police stations. The Bridge also promotes pedestrian safety especially for school children, the elderly and the general public. It facilitates the safe transport of Agricultural goods, farm livestock and general amenities to neighbouring urban Towns. The Helen Bridge, about 3 kilometres downstream of Mooi River, is one of the oldest remaining Bridges in KZN. The Bridge was opened on 19 November 1866, by Colonel J.J. Bissett. The Bridge was on the main transport route upcountry to the Inland, at the time and is still in use! There was a Boer War remount Station at Weston and most traffic at the time would have passed over this important Bridge! The construction commenced in 2015 and was completed at the end of the 2016/2017 financial year, at a total cost budget of R 17.1 Million. The project created 48 job opportunities. Surrounded by modern smallholdings, the Rosetta Village Centre today features Crispin's Corner, a small shopping centre where - in addition to locally produced handicrafts History buffs may find that significant piece in its antique shop!