Mbombela exhibits a stark economic and social divide between its eastern and western regions. While the west enjoys high growth, literacy, and infrastructure, the east suffers from poverty, low literacy, and limited development. Unemployment is particularly high in rural areas, despite the city’s overall economic growth. KaNyamazane, a township in the eastern region, remains heavily reliant on Nelspruit for employment. Although it has predominantly formal housing, informal structures and encroachments are evident, especially near the borders. The lack of building regulations for over a decade has contributed to this issue.