It is the seat of the Nkandla Local Municipality, and the district in which the residence of the former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, is located.

The Nkandla region encompasses nearly 115,000 inhabitants, spread relatively sparsely over a large area.

Nkandla is mainly a rural area and is in the top five of the poorest places in KwaZulu-Natal province.

From Malandela to Shaka, to Dingane and Cetshwayo, Nkandla has been at the centre stage of the Zulu nation's history.

Zuma was joined by Nelson Mandela to open Mnyakanya High School in 2004.