Khayelitsha
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Khayelitsha (/ˌkaɪ.əˈliːtʃə/) 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. It is reputed to be the largest[2] and fastest growing township in South Africa.[3]
History
Cape Town initially opposed implementing the Group Areas Act passed in 1950 and residential areas in the city remained unsegregated until the first Group Areas were declared in the city in 1957.[4] When Cape Town did start implementing the Group Areas Act, it did so more severely than any other major city; by mid 1980s it became one of the most segregated cities in South Africa.[4]
The discrimination and black population control by the apartheid regime did not prevent blacks from settling in the outskirts of Cape Town. After the scrapping of pass laws in 1987 many blacks, mainly Xhosas, moved into areas around Cape Town in search of work. By this time many blacks were already illegally settled in townships like Nyanga and Crossroads. During 1983 and 1984 conditions in squatter camps like Crossroads and KTC worsened, exacerbated by official policing policy in which shacks were destroyed[5] and the emergence of the Witdoeke, led by "Mayor" Johnson Ngxobongwana.[6] The Witdoeke were actively supported by the apartheid government in its fight against the ANC-aligned UDF who had actively opposed plans for people to be moved to the new township of Khayelitsha.[7] As the black population grew, the apartheid regime sought to solve the "problem" by establishing new black neighbourhoods. Khayelitsha was established in 1985 and large numbers of people were forcefully relocated there,[8] mostly peacefully,[9] but occasionally accompanied with violence.[10]
The Western Cape was a preference area for the local coloured population and a system called influx control was in place preventing Xhosas from traveling from the Transkei without the required permit. After the historic 1994 elections hundreds of thousands moved to urban areas in search of work, education, or both. Many of them erected shacks made of tin, wood and cardboard.
Demographics
Today Khayelitsha has an estimated population of 406,779 (as of 2005),[11] and runs for a number of kilometres along the N2. The ethnic makeup of Khayelitsha is approximately 90.5% Black African, 8.5% Coloured and 0.5% White, with Xhosa being the predominant language of the residents.[12][13] Khayelitsha has a very young population. Fewer than 7% of its residents are over 50 years old and over 40% of its residents are under 19 years of age. About 75% of residents consider themselves Christian while about 20% follow traditional beliefs and a negligible amount consider themselves Muslim.[14]
Key statistics (2001)[15]
- Area: 43.51 square kilometres (16.80 sq mi)
- Population: 329,002: 7,561.99 inhabitants per square kilometre (19,585.5 /sq mi)
- Households: 85,984: 1,976.31 per square kilometre (5,118.6 /sq mi)
Gender
|
Population
|
%
|
170,908
|
51.95
|
|
158,094
|
48.05
|
Race
|
Population
|
%
|
327,326
|
99.49
|
|
87
|
0.03
|
|
1,556
|
0.47
|
|
33
|
0.01
|
Population
|
%
|
|
1,176
|
0.36
|
|
318,389
|
96.77
|
|
2,297
|
0.7
|
|
135
|
0.04
|
|
427
|
0.13
|
|
784
|
0.24
|
|
4,753
|
1.44
|
|
61
|
0.02
|
|
348
|
0.11
|
|
117
|
0.04
|
|
155
|
0.05
|
|
361
|
0.11
|
Conditions
Since the ANC came to power in the country in 1994, the ruling party claims that living conditions in the township have improved markedly. There have been many developments such as new brick housing being built, new schools being built, and the creation of a central business district in the Township. However many residents strongly dispute the claim that the quality of life has improved. They claim that crime rates remain very high and that only a small portion of residents see improvements as a result of infrastructure and welfare interventions.[citation needed]
Around 70% of residents still live in shacks and one in three people has to walk 200 meters or further to access water.[2]
Geography
Khayelitsha is located on the Cape Flats, between Table Bay and False Bay.
Subdivisions
Khayelitsha has been split into about 22 sub-sections or areas, depending on how one divides them.[citation needed] Khayelitsha is made up of old formal areas and new informal/formal areas. The old formal areas built originally by the apartheid government an are known as Bongweni, Ikwezi Park, Khulani Park, Khanya Park, Tembani, Washington Square, Graceland, Ekuphumleni and Zolani Park.[16] These areas are mostly made up of bank bond housing and are home to middle-class / upper working class populations.
The newer areas have been built up around the older areas. They include Site B, Site C, Green Point, Litha Park, Mandela Park, Makaza and Harare.[16] With the exception of Litha Park, these areas contain a high number of informal settlements, RDP houses, and informal backyard dwellers.
Notable informal settlements in Khayelitsha include QQ Section, TR Section, RR Section and Enkanini which have gained prominence due to their high-profile conflicts with government including protest actions such as road blockades.
Economy
International funding and partnerships
As Cape Town's largest township, Khayelitsha attracts funding from international aid agencies. A number of partnerships with international companies, governments and NGOs have been set up:
- UK partnerships have been brokered through the work of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust[21]
- A successful initiative at Ikhwezi Lesizwe Primary School has brought company support for Technology. UK based Ramesys have donated software and kit to allow good web communications. Smart Technology from Canada have donated an interactive whiteboard
- Another such group based in Zion, Illinois, USA is Partners Across the Ocean which has brought Khayelitsha high school learners to the USA and built a computer lab in Khayelitsha.[22]
- The South Africa Community Fund has been active in the neighbourhood of Harare, Khayelitsha, bringing groups of students from Arizona State University and other volunteers for home stays and community immersions.[23]
- German partnerships with the City of Cape Town through an organisation called VPUU (Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading) is responsible for the building of community centers and gardens, and the sponsorship of soccer clubs.
- Khayelitsha was also the focus of the Community Exchange System when it launched in Cape Town.[24]
Transport
Khayelitsha has a good transport infrustructure. Golden Arrow Bus Services, Metrorail trains,[25] and many taxis all use routes to and from the township. Trains are the cheapest and most used form of transport. Khayelitsha has 6 rail stations: Mandalay, Nolungile, Nonkqubela, Khayelitsha, Kuyasa and Chris Hani. There are also a number of bus stations and taxi ranks, although most taxis still pick up passengers on the main roads. Khayelitsha's busiest roads are Mew Way, Spine Road, Lansdowne Road, Walter Sisulu Road, Bonga Drive and Baden Powell Drive.
Health care
Khayelitsha District Hospital is a brand new hospital opened in Khayelitsha in February 2012 this offers district level care including a large 24 hour Emergency Centre as well as medical wards, surgical wards, obstetric wards, gynaecology wards, paediatric wards and nursery.
There are three provincial government clinics in Khayelitsha. Khayelitsha (Site B) CHC (Community Health Clinic), Michael Maphongwana (Harare) CHC and Nolungile (Site C) CHC are the other provincial government clinics. There are also numerous small municipal clinics throughout the township. Services offered at these municipal clinics include child health, family planning, TB treatment, HIV testing, Pap smears and treatment and diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections.
Society and culture
Beaches
Khayelitsha has one beach, Monwabisi, located on the coast of False Bay. It is known to be one of the most dangerous beaches in the area. It was recorded that one day, five people drowned at the beach.[26] This is due to a wall that was built to create a calm cove. Instead it has made many dangerous currents.[26] In the past 15 years over 50 people have drowned at the beach.[26] On warm public holidays, Christmas Eve and New Year's Day the beach is known to become highly occupied.
Social movements
Abahlali baseMjondolo, the Mandela Park Backyarders, the Treatment Action Campaign, the Social Justice Coalition, and the Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign all have a strong presence in Khayelitsha.
Sport
As part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup preparations, a Football for Hope centre was constructed in Khayelitsha.[27] An Australian rules football development program conducted by the AFL South Africa also operates in the township. Bayanda Sobetwa became the first South African to be signed to an AFL club, when the Greater Western Sydney Football Club offered him a SportsReady traineeship in 2010.[28]
Tourism
Recently a tourist centre opened in the township on Look Out Point, or Lookout Hill [2] one of the highest hills in the area on the corner of Mew Way & Spine Road. There are also numerous organisations which offer "township tours", who support Khayelitsha through social tourism. There are also opportunities for social tourism as volunteers in numerous projects around Khayelitsha.
The History of Khayelitsha
In the early 1980's the Apartheid government decided to move all 'legal' black people from existing townships to a new township. The government classified people as legal if they had had already lived in the area for ten years. The new township was called Khayelitsha which means 'New home'. At the same time the government planned to move all illegal people to Transkei, a homeland created in the eastern part of the country. People living in existing townships near Cape Town resisted this move. One community leader said that they would had to kill them first then move their bodies to Khayelitsha because that was the only way they will move there. Fighting broke out in townships between the government and people who lived there. This fighting caused people to move to Khayelitsha, saying they are forced to move to Khayelitsha because of the violence and moving to Khayelitsha was not their intention It was exactly what the government wanted them to do.
In 1990 the population of Khayelitsha was estimated at 450,000 and unemployed at 80 per cent. Roughly 14 per cent lived in small core houses, 54 per cent in serviced shacks, and 32 per cent in unserviced ones. Hardly anyone had electricity and most inhabitats had to fetch water from taps. Social control was largely maintained by unofficial, unpopularly elected councils. Today Khayelitsha is home to half a million people.
In 1990 the population of Khayelitsha was estimated at 450,000 and unemployed at 80 per cent. Roughly 14 per cent lived in small core houses, 54 per cent in serviced shacks, and 32 per cent in unserviced ones. Hardly anyone had electricity and most inhabitats had to fetch water from taps. Social control was largely maintained by unofficial, unpopularly elected councils. Today Khayelitsha is home to half a million people.
There are many different types of house in Khayelitsha. Some are permanent as they are built from bricks and others are built from scraps of sheet iron and timber. Most people living in Khayelitsha live in informal houses called 'imikhukhu'. These houses are not very comfortable, they leak when it rains, are hot during the day and cold during the night. A major problem with shacks is they are built very close together and allow fires to spread very rapidly through an area. Although some imikhukhu are serviced with electricity, the majority of people still use kerosene stoves for cooking and candles for lighting.
The picture on the right shows a store selling building materials.
The new government has begun to implement a housing programme. More Khayelitsha people have real houses. Although these houses are small(two roomed) they do not leak and can be extended.
There are no Supermarkets in Khayelitsha. People buy their food and other supplies from small shops called Spaza shops. These shops make a substantial contribution part of Khayelitsha's entrepreneurial growth.
Buying Fruit and Vegetables
The pictures show examples of where people living in Khayelitsha shop. Fruit and vegetables are often not fresh and cost more than in supermarkets. Spaza shops are also unhygenic as theyare not controlled by health regulations.
Meat store
Poor people eat some parts from the sheep's stomach or a cow's stomach. After killing the animal the intestines are and wash thoroughly before cooking them. They call this type of meat 'upenisi'.
People also eat sheep heads. A cooked head is called a 'smiley'. They first take the hair off by putting the head on a fire. After that, they take them out and wash them. The heads are cooked in big drums and cut them in half and sell the sheep heads. The picture on the right shows a sheep head being cooked.
Buying Fruit and Vegetables
The pictures show examples of where people living in Khayelitsha shop. Fruit and vegetables are often not fresh and cost more than in supermarkets. Spaza shops are also unhygenic as theyare not controlled by health regulations.
Meat store
Poor people eat some parts from the sheep's stomach or a cow's stomach. After killing the animal the intestines are and wash thoroughly before cooking them. They call this type of meat 'upenisi'.
People also eat sheep heads. A cooked head is called a 'smiley'. They first take the hair off by putting the head on a fire. After that, they take them out and wash them. The heads are cooked in big drums and cut them in half and sell the sheep heads. The picture on the right shows a sheep head being cooked.
Getting About
Since there are very few employment opportunities and formal shops in Khayelitsha people have to travel suburbs closer to Cape Town work and shop. They use taxis, buses and trains to travel.
Travelling by Train
Traveling by trains is not safe because thieves steal from travellers. They would come to the trains carrying guns and big knives and search everyone in the train.They take their jewellery, wallets and sometimes even their clothes. Travellers who refuse to give them their jewellery face the risk of being stabbed. Women used to hide their money in their bras but thieves know about this so they hide it in their panties. They hide it by putting it in toilet papers and roll it up then put it in their panties.
Travelling by Taxi
Traveling by taxi is also dangerous because the taxi drivers fight alot. Taxis often break down on the way to work and school and cause travellers to be late. Sometimes the taxi drivers do not wash they just get up and smell awful, sometimes they are drunk.
Traveling by Bus
It is also not safe traveling by buses because if you are sitting at the bus- stop the thieves would come and take your jewellery and money. If you try to scream they would stab you because they know that no one is going to do anything.
Travelling by Train
Traveling by trains is not safe because thieves steal from travellers. They would come to the trains carrying guns and big knives and search everyone in the train.They take their jewellery, wallets and sometimes even their clothes. Travellers who refuse to give them their jewellery face the risk of being stabbed. Women used to hide their money in their bras but thieves know about this so they hide it in their panties. They hide it by putting it in toilet papers and roll it up then put it in their panties.
Travelling by Taxi
Traveling by taxi is also dangerous because the taxi drivers fight alot. Taxis often break down on the way to work and school and cause travellers to be late. Sometimes the taxi drivers do not wash they just get up and smell awful, sometimes they are drunk.
Traveling by Bus
It is also not safe traveling by buses because if you are sitting at the bus- stop the thieves would come and take your jewellery and money. If you try to scream they would stab you because they know that no one is going to do anything.
Township History & Information.
History of Khayelitsha
During the Apartheid era, the South African government did not want black people to settle permanently in Cape Town. Men were needed for labour in the white city of Cape Town and therefore allowed into the city during working hours. Townships were merely set up as dormitories for the labourers.
Women were banned from seeking employment in the city and wives could not join their husbands. However, Apartheid failed to prevent the influx of job-seekers and families, and when no legal accomodation could be found, shacks were erected in Old Crossroads.
This was the first illegal settlement and during the 1970's and early 1980's, the government attempted to demolish the shacks and destroy the residents property, but as soon as the police disappeared, the shacks re-appeared. They are now a permanent fixture.
In 1983 the government realised that the informal areas were growing and attempted to control urbanization by creating Khayelitsha or "New Home". This was for all illegal black settlers who had been living in the area for ten years or longer.
"Khayelitsha covers an area of about 47km² and is home to about 1.5 million people. It is the fastest growing, and largest single township in South Africa. Soweto covers a larger area and has more residents, but is an acronym for South Western Townships, a collection of two dozen townships south west of Johannesburg." (Township crawling magazine - Soweto Tours - Laura Ndukwana - Editor)
Township info
Khayelitsha is a mix of old and new, formal and informal and affluent and poor. There are housing projects which are continuously on the go, to alleviate the housing problems, but shacks are continuously being erected by the steady stream of people arriving from the Eastern Cape.
There are shopping centres, clinics, fire stations, schools, police stations, recreation centres, churches and post offices. There are also shipping containers which serve as shops, schools and hair salons. Anything goes and it is not strange to see goats or cattle roaming freely.
The roads are in good condition and the government is endeavoring to deliver services to all the areas as soon as possible. Most people have electricity and access to fresh water and toilets.
The residents are warm, friendly and welcoming. The population harbours an untapped wealth of artists and craftsmen, actors and musicians. Tools of the trade are extremely innovative. There is a strong community spirit and once you are welcomed into the community, you become part of an extended family, which is an honour. Come out on a visit, meet the people and share experiences and knowledge with them and perhaps spend a night, to really enjoy their hospitality.
