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Zolani is a township created approximately 10 years ago. Zolani has a population of some 5000 men, women and children. They are people who have been transferred or moved in from other regions of South Africa. They are primarily from the Transkei and the Eastern Cape however there are a few from Zimbabwe and Somali.

99% of the people are Xhosa with a few coloured folk from elsewhere in the Cape. The main language is Xhosa and then English although the language at work will be Afrikaans.

There are some houses remaining of the original village but 90% of the homes are Rural Development Properties ( RDP). They are single bedroom block built structures of approximately 4 x 5 meters. They have electricity and water but no facility for wood fires. They are very basic and whilst seemingly designed to accommodate a couple they may well be accommodating parents and four children often sharing the same bed some actually sleeping under the main bed.

Because of pressure on space, owner/occupiers often build shacks to accommodate other members of the family. In these congested living conditions children will see everything by the time they are seven.

Of the 1100 homes + Shacks 50% of them will have no husband/father. Many men have relinquished their domestic responsibilities in favour of other women, drink or just despair.

Unemployment within the township is officially 68%. Our own survey suggest the unemployment figure to be over 80% certainly between April-September. Main employment is at the fruit canning factories which operate between October and March. Depending on the precise job the average salary will be R2,500-R4.000 per month ($350-$570) for a 45 hour week. Other work of a more permanent nature at labouring level is with the local Municipality. Between April and September there is very little work and what there is may be very poorly paid.

The combination of unemployment, overcrowding and lack of responsible fathers produces a whole range of social problems at all age levels. The people do have pride but there is considerable disillusion.

Zolani Care Trust has been established as the mechanism by which The Mission Church of Zolani is endeavouring to address some of these needs and problems; The Mission is situated in the West of the township where the poorest seem to be living. There are no clubs, recreation or any other facilities in this part of Zolani. The only social places are the shabeens or drinking houses.

Zolani Care Trust has been functioning since March 2006 and was formalised in May 2007.