Alexandra, Gauteng
Encyclopedia
Alexandra or Alex for short, nicknamed Gomora is a township
located in Gauteng province, South Africa
. It is part of Johannesburg
, close to the wealthy suburb of Sandton and is bounded by Wynberg
on the west, Marlboro
and Kelvin on the north, Kew
, Lombardy West and Lombardy East on the south. Alexandra is one of the poorest urban areas in the country.
Alexandra is situated on the banks of the Jukskei River
. The township covers an area of more than 8 km² and has an estimated population of 470,000 people. In addition to its original, reasonably well-built houses, it also has a large number (estimated at more than 20,000) of informal dwellings
or "shacks".
, on land originally owned by a farmer, a Mr. Papenfus, who tried to establish a white residential township there, naming it after his wife, Alexandra. However, because it was (at the time) a considerable distance from the center of Johannesburg, this was not a great success.
Consequently, in 1912, Alexandra was proclaimed as a so-called "native township". Because the township was proclaimed prior to the South African 1913
Land Act
, it was one of the few urban areas in the country where black people could own land under a freehold title.
By 1916
, the population of Alexandra had grown to 30,000 people and thus the Alexandra Health Committee was established to manage the township. However, the Committee was not allowed to collect local taxes, nor was the Johannesburg City Council willing to take responsibility for an area that it claimed fell outside its jurisdiction, leading to a lack of resources and proper management.
When the National Party
came into power in 1948
and started to implement its policy of apartheid, Alexandra was put under the direct control of the then Department of Native Affairs.
.
The riots that started in Soweto in June 1976
quickly spread to other areas such as Alexandra, where 19 people were killed. As a consequence of these riots, evictions, forced removals and expropriation of black properties were stopped; urban blacks were no longer regarded as temporary residents and their permanent status was recognised.
Finally, in 1982
, Alexandra was given the official status of a residential area and the then Alexandra liaison committee, led by Rev Buti, was instituted to run the township.
In 1980
a "Master Plan" for Alexandra was introduced, which aim was to transform Alexandra into a "Garden City" with a completely new layout. However, only a small part of this plan was actually ever implemented; the execution of the "Master Plan" was permanently stopped by the violent "Alex Six Days" uprising in February 1986, during which 40 people were killed. By May the council started collapsing and the councillors resigned which saw the emergence of street committees and peoples' courts. After the imposition of the nationwide state of emergency in June, the Defence Force moved in to keep the peace. In its place, the government introduced the "Urban Renewal Plan" as part of its strategy during the state of emergency. However, this plan lead to considerable demolitions, disruptions and displacement in the community as well as two treason trials involving 13 leaders of Alexandra.
This, combined with the considerable number of additional people moving into Alexandra during this time, led to a new area called the "East Bank" being built.
Because of the insufficient capacity and difficult maintenance of the newly built infrastructure, the situation quickly deteriorated and thus the "Urban Renewal Plan" was shelved in 1990.
During the communal and political conflicts that took place in the 1991 - 1992 period, many people were killed, injured or displaced. This led to several peace initiatives, which were greatly assisted by the first fully democratic South African elections in April 1994.
was launched in 2000
. The project has caused clashes between residents and companies, including SA Waste Holdings (Pty) Ltd
, a waste disposal company based in nearby Marlboro
.
Approximately 3,000 houses have been built for relocation purposes to date.
In August of 2006 American business students conducted a photography project with 190 of the youth of Alex. It resulted in a book, alexandra: our view of ekasi. In June/July 2008 the grassroots photographic project Shooting Jozi (www.shootingjozi.net) inspired by the Academy award winning documentary Born into Brothels
took place in Alex with local community members.
In May 2008 a series of xenophobic attacks that took place throughout South Africa, started in Alexandra Township, due to a large amount of foreigners (mainly Zimbabweans) living there. South Africans living in Alexandra Township said they were tired of foreigners taking their jobs.
Township (South Africa)
In South Africa, the term township and location usually refers to the urban living areas that, from the late 19th century until the end of Apartheid, were reserved for non-whites . Townships were usually built on the periphery of towns and cities...
located in Gauteng province, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It is part of Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, close to the wealthy suburb of Sandton and is bounded by Wynberg
Wynberg, Gauteng
Wynberg is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is located in Region 3....
on the west, Marlboro
Marlboro, Gauteng
Marlboro is part of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and is a suburb of Sandton.Marlboro is divided into 2 zones: Marlboro Gardens, a residential area established as a township for Indians, and Marlboro Industrial Township ....
and Kelvin on the north, Kew
Kew, Gauteng
Kew is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is located in Region 3....
, Lombardy West and Lombardy East on the south. Alexandra is one of the poorest urban areas in the country.
Alexandra is situated on the banks of the Jukskei River
Jukskei River
The Jukskei River is one of the largest rivers in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is mostly shallow and not deep enough for transportation. It is also often very polluted, and occasionally has outbreaks of cholera....
. The township covers an area of more than 8 km² and has an estimated population of 470,000 people. In addition to its original, reasonably well-built houses, it also has a large number (estimated at more than 20,000) of informal dwellings
Shanty town
A shanty town is a slum settlement of impoverished people who live in improvised dwellings made from scrap materials: often plywood, corrugated metal and sheets of plastic...
or "shacks".
Early history
Alexandra was established in 19121912 in South Africa
-Events:* 4 January - Outbreak of smallpox is reported in the Malay Location, Johannesburg* 8 January - The South African Native National Congress is formed in Bloemfontein and John Langalibalele Dube becomes the first president...
, on land originally owned by a farmer, a Mr. Papenfus, who tried to establish a white residential township there, naming it after his wife, Alexandra. However, because it was (at the time) a considerable distance from the center of Johannesburg, this was not a great success.
Consequently, in 1912, Alexandra was proclaimed as a so-called "native township". Because the township was proclaimed prior to the South African 1913
1913 in South Africa
-Events:* The Natives Land Act is passed limiting land ownership for blacks to black territories* The City of Greater Cape Town is formed by the union of Central Cape Town, Green Point and Sea Point, Woodstock, Maitland, Mowbray, Rondebosch, Claremont and Kalk Bay...
Land Act
Native Land Act
The Natives Land Act, 1913 was an act of the Parliament of South Africa aimed at regulating the acquisition of land by "natives", i.e. black people...
, it was one of the few urban areas in the country where black people could own land under a freehold title.
By 1916
1916 in South Africa
-Events:* 15 - 19 July - 766 men from the South African Brigade are killed during the Battle of Delville Wood in South Africa's biggest loss in World War I-Births:...
, the population of Alexandra had grown to 30,000 people and thus the Alexandra Health Committee was established to manage the township. However, the Committee was not allowed to collect local taxes, nor was the Johannesburg City Council willing to take responsibility for an area that it claimed fell outside its jurisdiction, leading to a lack of resources and proper management.
When the National Party
National Party (South Africa)
The National Party is a former political party in South Africa. Founded in 1914, it was the governing party of the country from 4 June 1948 until 9 May 1994. Members of the National Party were sometimes known as Nationalists or Nats. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a...
came into power in 1948
1948 in South Africa
-March:* 13 March - Dr K. Goonam led a batch of twelve passive resisters across the Natal-Transvaal border-May:* 26 May - National Party wins General Elections in coalition with the Afrikaner Party -June:...
and started to implement its policy of apartheid, Alexandra was put under the direct control of the then Department of Native Affairs.
1950-2000
In the early 1960s, the government decided to demolish all family accommodation in Alexandra and replace them with single-sex hostels, which led to widespread resistance and protest. However, due to the high costs, lack of alternative housing for the persons that would have to have been removed and the escalating opposition led by the Rev Sam Buti's Save Alexandra Party, only two hostels were actually completed, and so the scheme was cancelled in 19791979 in South Africa
-January:* 8 January - South Africa and Lesotho sign a monetary agreement* 14 January - Police clash with Umkhonto we Sizwe guerrillas on a farm near Zeerust, one is arrested while 6 escape over the Botswana border...
.
The riots that started in Soweto in June 1976
1976 in South Africa
-January:* 5 January - SABC begins country's first television service-March:* 27 March - The South African Defence Force withdraw from Angola and end Operation Savannah-May:* 29 May - Eskom announces that it will order two nuclear power stations from France...
quickly spread to other areas such as Alexandra, where 19 people were killed. As a consequence of these riots, evictions, forced removals and expropriation of black properties were stopped; urban blacks were no longer regarded as temporary residents and their permanent status was recognised.
Finally, in 1982
1982 in South Africa
-January:* 7 January - A bomb damages the office of the West Rand Administration Board in Soweto* 8 January - Umkhonto we Sizwe guerrillas attack Koeberg nuclear power plant in Cape Town...
, Alexandra was given the official status of a residential area and the then Alexandra liaison committee, led by Rev Buti, was instituted to run the township.
In 1980
1980 in South Africa
-January:* 14 January - Local community at Soekmekaar resist forced removal and damage police station* 25 January - Three Umkhonto we Sizwe operatives Stephen Mafoko, Humphrey Makhubo and Wilfred Madela held the staff and customers in a Silverton bank in Pretoria hostage...
a "Master Plan" for Alexandra was introduced, which aim was to transform Alexandra into a "Garden City" with a completely new layout. However, only a small part of this plan was actually ever implemented; the execution of the "Master Plan" was permanently stopped by the violent "Alex Six Days" uprising in February 1986, during which 40 people were killed. By May the council started collapsing and the councillors resigned which saw the emergence of street committees and peoples' courts. After the imposition of the nationwide state of emergency in June, the Defence Force moved in to keep the peace. In its place, the government introduced the "Urban Renewal Plan" as part of its strategy during the state of emergency. However, this plan lead to considerable demolitions, disruptions and displacement in the community as well as two treason trials involving 13 leaders of Alexandra.
This, combined with the considerable number of additional people moving into Alexandra during this time, led to a new area called the "East Bank" being built.
Because of the insufficient capacity and difficult maintenance of the newly built infrastructure, the situation quickly deteriorated and thus the "Urban Renewal Plan" was shelved in 1990.
During the communal and political conflicts that took place in the 1991 - 1992 period, many people were killed, injured or displaced. This led to several peace initiatives, which were greatly assisted by the first fully democratic South African elections in April 1994.
After 2000
In order to assist in renewing and uplift the community, the Alexandra Renewal ProjectAlexandra Renewal Project
The Alexandra Renewal Project , is an urban renewal project in Alexandra, Gauteng, northern Johannesburg, South Africa. The project is one of eight urban nodes of the "Integrated Sustainable Rural Development and Urban Renewal Programme" announced by President Thabo Mbeki in his State of the...
was launched in 2000
2000 in South Africa
-February:*Tropical Cyclone Eline brings heavy rains to Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and Madagascar*The Mozambican navy begins evacuating people from low ground using rubber boats donated from last year's floods....
. The project has caused clashes between residents and companies, including SA Waste Holdings (Pty) Ltd
SA Waste Holdings (Pty) Ltd
SA Waste Holdings Ltd is a waste management company, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the Gauteng province. It was launched in 1990, and boasted 626 staff members. The company boasts clients in the retail, commercial, entertainment and gambling sectors...
, a waste disposal company based in nearby Marlboro
Marlboro, Gauteng
Marlboro is part of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and is a suburb of Sandton.Marlboro is divided into 2 zones: Marlboro Gardens, a residential area established as a township for Indians, and Marlboro Industrial Township ....
.
Approximately 3,000 houses have been built for relocation purposes to date.
In August of 2006 American business students conducted a photography project with 190 of the youth of Alex. It resulted in a book, alexandra: our view of ekasi. In June/July 2008 the grassroots photographic project Shooting Jozi (www.shootingjozi.net) inspired by the Academy award winning documentary Born into Brothels
Born into Brothels
Born into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids is a 2004 American documentary film about the children of prostitutes in Sonagachi, Kolkata's red light district...
took place in Alex with local community members.
In May 2008 a series of xenophobic attacks that took place throughout South Africa, started in Alexandra Township, due to a large amount of foreigners (mainly Zimbabweans) living there. South Africans living in Alexandra Township said they were tired of foreigners taking their jobs.
Notable residents
Notable residents of Alexandra included:- Nelson MandelaNelson MandelaNelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
- Zanele Mbeki (wife of former President Thabo MbekiThabo MbekiThabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
) - Mark MathabaneMark MathabaneMark Mathabane is an author, lecturer, and a former collegiate tennis player and college professor.- Early life in South Africa :...
(tennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
player and author of the autobiographyAutobiographyAn autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
Kaffir BoyKaffir BoyKaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth's Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa is Mark Mathabane's 1986 autobiography about life under the South African apartheid regime...
). - Samora MachelSamora MachelSamora Moisés Machel was a Mozambican military commander, revolutionary socialist leader and eventual President of Mozambique...
(former MozambiquanMozambiqueMozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
president) - Alfred Nzo (South African Minister of Foreign Affairs 1994-1999)
- Joe Modise (South African Minister of Defence 1994-1999)
- Hugh MasekelaHugh MasekelaHugh Ramopolo Masekela is a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, and singer.-Early life:Masekela was born in Kwa-Guqa Township, Witbank, South Africa. He began singing and playing piano as a child...
(musician and trumpeter) - Jack LeroleJack LeroleAaron "Big Voice" Jack Lerole was a South African penny whistle player and singer, a leading performer in the kwela style of music in the 1950s, and best remembered in the UK as the leader of 'Elias and His Zig Zag Jive Flutes', who had an international hit in 1958 with "Tom...
(musician and penny-whistle player) - Wally SeroteMongane Wally SeroteMongane Wally Serote is a South African poet and writer. He was born in Sophiatown, Johannesburg and went to school in Alexandra, Lesotho and Soweto. He first became involved in Black Consciousness when he was finishing high school in Soweto...
(poet) - Thami MnyeleThamsanga MnyeleThamsanqa Mnyele was a South African artist associated with the anti-apartheid politics of the African National Congress and the Black Consciousness Movement. His artistic career took off in the 1970s when he produced works dealing with the emotional and human consequences of oppression...
(artist/activist) - Annie Twala (the "Mother of Alexandra")
- Simon Mahlathini Nkabinde (groaner/lead singer in Mahlathini and the Mahotella QueensMahlathini and the Mahotella QueensMahlathini and the Mahotella Queens was a South African mbaqanga supergroup composed of:...
, 1938-1999). - Irvin Khoza (sports administrator)
- Sam Buti (reverend)
- Nkuli Habedi (Rapper)