Nyanga, Western Cape

Nyanga is a township in the Western Cape, South Africa. Its name in Xhosa means "moon" and it is one of the oldest black townships in Cape Town. It was established as a result of the migrant labour system. In 1948[2] black migrants were forced to settle in Nyanga as Langa had become too small. Nyanga was one of the poorest places in Cape Town and is still one of the most dangerous parts of Cape Town. In 2001 its unemployment rate was estimated at being approximately 56% [3] and HIV/AIDS is a huge community issue.

Nyanga
Top: Zolani Recreational Centre. Middle: Nyanga taxi rank. Bottom left: Nyanga Community Health Centre. Bottom right: government built RDP houses that are common in the area.
Top: Zolani Recreational Centre. Middle: Nyanga taxi rank. Bottom left: Nyanga Community Health Centre. Bottom right: government built RDP houses that are common in the area.
Nyanga is located in Western Cape
Nyanga
Nyanga
Nyanga is located in South Africa
Nyanga
Nyanga
Nyanga is located in Africa
Nyanga
Nyanga
Coordinates: 33°59′S 18°35′E
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceWestern Cape
MunicipalityCity of Cape Town
Main PlaceCape Town
Area
[1]
 • Total3.09 km2 (1.19 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total57,996
 • Density19,000/km2 (49,000/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
[1]
 • Black African98.8%
 • Coloured0.3%
 • Indian/Asian0.1%
 • White0.2%
 • Other0.7%
First languages (2011)
[1]
 • Xhosa90.2%
 • English3.0%
 • Sotho1.6%
 • Other5.1%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
7755
PO box
7750

Nyanga is situated 20 km (12 mi) from Cape Town along the N2 highway, close to the Cape Town International Airport and next to the townships of Gugulethu and Crossroads.

History

The neighbourhood was established in 1946 and, in the same year, was proclaimed a township for migrant labour predominantly from the Eastern Cape. It was initially established as a spillover once the neighbourhood of Langa was fully occupied.[4]

Residents of Nyanga were active in joining a national call to protest against the apartheid laws passed in 1960. Later they were active in the 1976 student uprisings, which had begun on the other side of the country on 16 June 1976 in Soweto against the use of Afrikaans as the primary medium of instruction in schools.[5] Nyanga became notorious for its black-on-black faction fighting that was allegedly perpetrated by police in the early eighties. The local authorities (izibonda) grouped themselves according to their background and used that as their criteria when allocating land.

These cultural differences were allegedly used by the police to stir up violence, and elements of the community were infiltrated by the apartheid regime. This led to emergence of the notoriously violent group called "the witdoeke" (the white scarfs). As a result of these fights Tambo square was formed.[6]

Nyanga comprises nine township subdivisions: Lusaka, KTC, Old Location, Maumau, Zwelitsha, Maholweni "Hostels", White City, Barcelona, Kanana, and Europe.

Government institutions and public services

Several government institutions maintain a presence in Nyanga in order to provide various vital services to the community:

  • Nyanga Home Affairs Office[7]
  • The South African Department of Labour has a satellite office in Nyanga.[8]
  • The Nyanga Community Health Clinic[9]
  • Masincedane Clinic[10]
  • Nyanga Police Station[11]
  • Nyanga Public Library loans books to the community and provides several useful informational services.[12]

Churches

Some of the churches that are located in Nyanga are:

  • Apostolic Church
  • Assembly of God Nyanga
  • FH Gow AME Church[13]
  • Fresh Fire Church
  • Holy Cross Anglican Church[14]
  • New Crossroads Baptist Church[15]
  • Reformed Gospel Church
  • St Mary's Catholic Church[16]
  • Trinity society Church[17]

See also

References
  1. "Main Place Nyanga". Census 2011.
  2. Catherine Besteman (2008). Transforming Cape Town. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-94264-6.
  3. "City of Cape Town by Ward". capetown.gov.za. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  4. Leander (2013-11-08). "Nyanga Township". South African History Online. Retrieved 2019-02-16.
  5. sahoboss (2011-03-31). "Cape Schools Join the Revolt". South African History Online. Retrieved 2019-02-16.
  6. "Goldstone Commission : Report on Violence at Crossroads Camp March-June 1993". Archived from the original on 2013-09-03. Retrieved 2013-08-30.
  7. "Nyanga Home Affairs Office". Western Cape Government. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  8. "Satelite Offices". The South African Department of Employment and Labour. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  9. "Nyanga Community Health Clinic". Western Cape Government. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  10. "Masincedane Clinic". Western Cape Government. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  11. "Services SAPS (South African Police Service)". South African Police Service. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  12. "Nyanga Public Library". City of Cape Town. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  13. "Tribute For a Gifted Man of the Lord". IOL. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  14. "Holy Cross Nyanga". World Anglican. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  15. "Region 3 - Central Cape Flats". Western Province Baptist Association. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  16. "Nyanga - Archdiocese of Cape Town". Archdiocese of Cape Town. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  17. "Gallery: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Visit Cape Town". Eyewitness News. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
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