The inhabitants of the Lwandle informal settlement, which is near Gordons Bay and Somerset West, work mostly in the construction business in the Helderberg Basin, albeit up to 60% of them are still unemployed. Many of the current population originally immigrated to this area from the Eastern Cape province under the migrant labour system in the late 1950s, and the majority of them continue to live in shacks while the government implements approved housing projects.
The village has been marked on many visitors’ maps because of the Lwandle Migrant Labor Museum. It tells the tale of hostel life and the migrant labour system, including its struggles and successes, and is the first of its sort in South Africa. The museum is located in what used to be the community hall, and several tour companies now offer trips through the township that include a stop at the museum.
The Nceduluntu Sanctuary Trust for orphaned and vulnerable children, which, along with Mama Lumka, cares for a total of 60 children in 10 homes, may have started one of the local restaurants or food gardens during visits here. This will allow visitors to interact personally with members of the community.