Mitchell's Plain
Encyclopedia
Mitchells Plain is a largely coloured
township
about 20 km from the city of Cape Town
. It is one of South Africa's largest townships. It is located on the Cape Flats on the False Bay
coast between Strandfontein and Khayelitsha
. Conceived of as a "model township" by the apartheid government, it was built during the 1970s to provide housing for coloured victims of forced removal due to the implementation of the Group Areas Act. Though Mitchells Plain is no longer officially a "coloured african township," the majority remain overwhelmingly Coloured African.
At an estimated population of 290,000 people, it comprises a number of sub-sections which reflect the diverse class backgrounds of the population. Once a major stronghold of the United Democratic Front
, the broad-based ANC-sponsored anti-apartheid body, it is now known more for gangsterism and tik
(methamphatemine) addiction among the youth. Although it has all these negative affects it also has one of Cape Towns biggest shopping centres, called the Liberty Promenade.
township for middle-income families. The township was laid out in terms of the neighbourhood unit concept with large open spaces, localised public facilities and wide arterial routes. Various forms of housing was provided including, freestanding, semi-detached and duplex housing. However, by the late 80's and 90's, major areas of Mitchells Plain have deteriorated into urban ghettos. Gangsterism
and drug abuse
has increased and a number of informal settlements has sprung up in several areas.
, Mitchells Plain comprises the following in terms of demographics:
's largest township with a population of about 290,000 people.
In terms of economic activity, investment is primarily in retail development with Mitchell's Plain being considered as having the strongest level of investment on the Cape Flats
. It has a central business district, locally called the "Town Centre" and two large shopping centres; Promenade Shopping Centre on AZ Berma n Drive and Westgate Mall on the corner of Morgenster and Vanguard Drive. The Promenade Shopping Centre is the largest with more than 120 stores comprising major clothing, furniture, banks and restaurant chains. Informal economic activity is a significant part of the local economy. Such activity reflects a dominance of retail functions with informal trading responding to market and thus concentrated around the main public transport
interchanges and along heavily utilised pedestrian routes.
services comprising commuter rail, bus and mini-bus taxi services. There is 3 Cape Metrorail commuter rail stations within the area at Kapteinsklip, Mitchell's Plain and Lentegeur. The rail line extends northwards towards Philippi, Cape Town
's CBD
and the industrial areas at Epping. The commuter rail service is commonly characterised by overcrowding during morning and afternoon peak periods as well as being unsafe during off-peak periods.
The Mitchell's Plain Public Transport Interchange at the Mitchell's Plain Station include a major bus term inus and taxi rank which provides public transport services to every major employment area within the City of Cape Town during the morning peak period. There is regular scheduled bus and unscheduled mini-bus taxi services to Cape Town CBD, Claremont
, Bellville
, Wynberg
, and other areas. At more than 30 000 passenger trips per weekday and more than 90,000 passengers daily, it is one of the busiest transport interchanges in the city. Recent years have seen significant investment by the local authority in improving and upgrading public transport infrastructure and facilities at the Mitchell's Plain Interchange.
, Khayelitsha
and Delft, Mitchells Plain, believed to be South Africa's 3rd largest township, is split into a number of sub-sections. The western half of the township is home to the more wealthier population while the eastern half to the poorer communities.
, the Treatment Action Campaign
and the Mitchells Plain Concerned Hawkers and Traders Association.
Mitchells Plain became the seat of the United Democratic Front, a movement where all political parties and NGO's fighting against the Apartheid Government met as the umbrella body. It was organized in August 1983 with such leaders of the people as the Dr. Allen Boesak, Albertina Sisulu, Helen Josephs, Joe Marks, Trevor Manuel, Terror Lekota and many others. It is the single most important body helping towards the unbanning of the ANC and Dr. Nelson Mandela in the eightoes and early nineties - Rev Clive J. Pillay founder member of ICY (Inter-church Youth)an affiliate of the UDF.
Coloured
In the South African, Namibian, Zambian, Botswana and Zimbabwean context, the term Coloured refers to an heterogenous ethnic group who possess ancestry from Europe, various Khoisan and Bantu tribes of Southern Africa, West Africa, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaya, India, Mozambique,...
township
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...
about 20 km from the city of Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
. It is one of South Africa's largest townships. It is located on the Cape Flats on the False Bay
False Bay
False Bay is a body of water defined by Cape Hangklip and the Cape Peninsula in the extreme South-West of South Africa.- Description and location :...
coast between Strandfontein and Khayelitsha
Khayelitsha
Khayelitsha is a partially informal township in Western Cape, South Africa, located on the Cape Flats in the City of Cape Town. The name is Xhosa for New Home...
. Conceived of as a "model township" by the apartheid government, it was built during the 1970s to provide housing for coloured victims of forced removal due to the implementation of the Group Areas Act. Though Mitchells Plain is no longer officially a "coloured african township," the majority remain overwhelmingly Coloured African.
At an estimated population of 290,000 people, it comprises a number of sub-sections which reflect the diverse class backgrounds of the population. Once a major stronghold of the United Democratic Front
United Democratic Front (South Africa)
The United Democratic Front was one of the most important anti-apartheid organisations of the 1980s. The non-racial coalition of about 400 civic, church, students', workers' and other organisations was formed in 1983, initially to fight the just-introduced idea of the Tricameral Parliament The...
, the broad-based ANC-sponsored anti-apartheid body, it is now known more for gangsterism and tik
TiK
TiK is an open source instant messaging client for the AOL Instant Messenger system, which uses AOL's TOC protocol. It is a GUI client which is written in the Tcl/Tk programming language...
(methamphatemine) addiction among the youth. Although it has all these negative affects it also has one of Cape Towns biggest shopping centres, called the Liberty Promenade.
History
Mitchells Plain was created by the Apartheid government in the early 1970s as a ColouredColoured
In the South African, Namibian, Zambian, Botswana and Zimbabwean context, the term Coloured refers to an heterogenous ethnic group who possess ancestry from Europe, various Khoisan and Bantu tribes of Southern Africa, West Africa, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaya, India, Mozambique,...
township for middle-income families. The township was laid out in terms of the neighbourhood unit concept with large open spaces, localised public facilities and wide arterial routes. Various forms of housing was provided including, freestanding, semi-detached and duplex housing. However, by the late 80's and 90's, major areas of Mitchells Plain have deteriorated into urban ghettos. Gangsterism
Gang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
and drug abuse
Substance abuse
A substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
has increased and a number of informal settlements has sprung up in several areas.
Demographics
According 2001 census data compiled by the City of Cape TownCity of Cape Town
The City of Cape Town is the metropolitan municipality which governs the city of Cape Town, South Africa and its suburbs and exurbs. As of 2007, it had a population of 3,497,097....
, Mitchells Plain comprises the following in terms of demographics:
| Group | Male | Percentage | Female | Percentage | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black African | 12,692 | 4.48 | 14,021 | 4.95 | 26,712 | 9.43 |
| Coloured | 122,360 | 43.17 | 131,485 | 46.43 | 253,746 | 89.60 |
| Indian/Asian | 902 | 0.32 | 861 | 0.30 | 1,763 | 0.62 |
| White | 472 | 0.17 | 504 | 0.18 | 976 | 0.34 |
| Total | 136,326 | 48.14 | 146,871 | 51.86 | 283,196 | 100 |
Mitchells Plain Today
Today Mitchells Plain is one of Cape Town's and South AfricaSouth 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...
's largest township with a population of about 290,000 people.
In terms of economic activity, investment is primarily in retail development with Mitchell's Plain being considered as having the strongest level of investment on the Cape Flats
Cape Flats
The Cape Flats is an expansive, low-lying, flat area situated to the southeast of the central business district of Cape Town. To many people in Cape Town, the area is known simply as 'The Flats'....
. It has a central business district, locally called the "Town Centre" and two large shopping centres; Promenade Shopping Centre on AZ Berma n Drive and Westgate Mall on the corner of Morgenster and Vanguard Drive. The Promenade Shopping Centre is the largest with more than 120 stores comprising major clothing, furniture, banks and restaurant chains. Informal economic activity is a significant part of the local economy. Such activity reflects a dominance of retail functions with informal trading responding to market and thus concentrated around the main public transport
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
interchanges and along heavily utilised pedestrian routes.
Public Transport
Mitchells Plain is reasonably well served by public transportPublic transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
services comprising commuter rail, bus and mini-bus taxi services. There is 3 Cape Metrorail commuter rail stations within the area at Kapteinsklip, Mitchell's Plain and Lentegeur. The rail line extends northwards towards Philippi, Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
's CBD
CBD
CBD is an abbreviation for central business district.CBD may also refer to:*CBD A/S, an Industrial Design and Engineering consultancy in Copenhagen, Denmark*CBD-FM, a radio station in Saint John, Canada...
and the industrial areas at Epping. The commuter rail service is commonly characterised by overcrowding during morning and afternoon peak periods as well as being unsafe during off-peak periods.
The Mitchell's Plain Public Transport Interchange at the Mitchell's Plain Station include a major bus term inus and taxi rank which provides public transport services to every major employment area within the City of Cape Town during the morning peak period. There is regular scheduled bus and unscheduled mini-bus taxi services to Cape Town CBD, Claremont
Claremont, Cape Town
Claremont is a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. It is situated six miles south of the city, and is one of the so-called "Southern Suburbs". It is an important commercial and residential area, which is currently experiencing significant growth and development.-History:Until the arrival of Dutch...
, Bellville
Bellville, Cape Town
Bellville is a former city in the Western Cape province of South Africa; it is now part of the greater Cape Town metropolitan area. It falls within the area of the City of Cape Town municipality....
, Wynberg
Wynberg, Cape Town
Wynberg is a southern suburb of the City of Cape Town in Western Cape, South Africa. It is situated between Plumstead and Kenilworth, and is a main transport hub for the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.- Geography :...
, and other areas. At more than 30 000 passenger trips per weekday and more than 90,000 passengers daily, it is one of the busiest transport interchanges in the city. Recent years have seen significant investment by the local authority in improving and upgrading public transport infrastructure and facilities at the Mitchell's Plain Interchange.
Sub Sections
Like the townships of SowetoSoweto
Soweto is a lower-class-populated urban area of the city of Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa, bordering the city's mining belt in the south. Its name is an English syllabic abbreviation for South Western Townships...
, Khayelitsha
Khayelitsha
Khayelitsha is a partially informal township in Western Cape, South Africa, located on the Cape Flats in the City of Cape Town. The name is Xhosa for New Home...
and Delft, Mitchells Plain, believed to be South Africa's 3rd largest township, is split into a number of sub-sections. The western half of the township is home to the more wealthier population while the eastern half to the poorer communities.
- Rocklands
- Westridge
- Portlands
- Tafelsig
- Eastridge
- Beacon Valley
- Lentegeur
- Woodlands
- Weltevreden Valley
- Colorado Park
Social Movements
The most active social movements and activist organisations in Mitchells Plain are the Western Cape Anti-Eviction CampaignWestern Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign
The Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign is a non-racial popular movement made up of poor and oppressed communities in Cape Town, South Africa...
, the Treatment Action Campaign
Treatment Action Campaign
The Treatment Action Campaign is a South African AIDS activist organization which was founded by the HIV-positive activist Zackie Achmat in 1998. TAC is rooted in the experiences, direct action tactics and anti-apartheid background of its founder...
and the Mitchells Plain Concerned Hawkers and Traders Association.
Mitchells Plain became the seat of the United Democratic Front, a movement where all political parties and NGO's fighting against the Apartheid Government met as the umbrella body. It was organized in August 1983 with such leaders of the people as the Dr. Allen Boesak, Albertina Sisulu, Helen Josephs, Joe Marks, Trevor Manuel, Terror Lekota and many others. It is the single most important body helping towards the unbanning of the ANC and Dr. Nelson Mandela in the eightoes and early nineties - Rev Clive J. Pillay founder member of ICY (Inter-church Youth)an affiliate of the UDF.