Formerly a separate municipality, it is now incorporated in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, Suburbs of Johannesburg. == History == George Harrison and George Walker are today credited as the men who discovered an outcrop of the Main Reef of gold on the farm Langlaagte in February 1886.
In October 1887 the government of the South African Republic (ZAR) bought the south-eastern portion of the farm Braamfontein.
Pimville was next to Kliptown, the oldest Black residential district of Johannesburg and first laid out in 1891 on land which formed part of Klipspruit farm.
Consequently, the township of Sophiatown was laid out in 1903 and Blacks were encouraged to buy property there.
Reforms followed, but riots flared up again in 1985 and continued until the first non-racial elections were held in April 1994. In 2010, South Africa's oldest township hosted the final of the FIFA World Cup and the attention of more than a billion soccer spectators from all over the world was focused on Soweto. ===Kliptown and Pimville=== In April 1904 there was a bubonic plague scare in the shanty town area of Brickfields.
For the same reasons Alexandra, Gauteng was planned for Black ownership in 1912.
The subsequent Natives Land Act of 1913 did not change the situation because it did not apply to land situated within municipal boundaries. ===Orlando, Moroka and Jabavu=== In 1923 the Parliament of the Union of South Africa passed the Natives (Urban Areas) Act (Act No.
This was carried out using the infamous Urban Areas Act of 1923. William Carr, chair of non-European affairs, initiated the naming of Soweto in 1959.
The subsequent Natives Land Act of 1913 did not change the situation because it did not apply to land situated within municipal boundaries. ===Orlando, Moroka and Jabavu=== In 1923 the Parliament of the Union of South Africa passed the Natives (Urban Areas) Act (Act No.
The 1957 Natives (Urban Areas) Consolidation Act and its predecessors restricted residents between 1923 and 1976 to seven self-employment categories in Soweto itself.
Pursuant to this Act the Johannesburg town council formed a Municipal Native Affairs Department in 1927.
The government, who sought to differentiate the white working class from the black, laid out new suburbs for the Burghers (Whites), Coolies (Indians), Malays (Coloureds) and Black Africans (Africans), but the whole area simply stayed multiracial. Soweto was created in the 1930s when the White government started separating Blacks from Whites, creating black "townships".
8 and the first houses in what was to become Orlando Location were built there in the latter half of 1930.
In addition it built 4,045 temporary single-room shelters. In about 1934 James Sofasonke Mpanza moved to 957 Pheele Street, Orlando, and lived there for the rest of his life.
The camps were meant to be used for a maximum of five years, but when they were eventually demolished in 1955, Moroka and Jabavu housed 89,000 people. ===Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital=== In 1941 the British Government built a military hospital next to the road between Johannesburg and Potchefstroom.
By the end of 1943 the Sofasonke Party advised its members to put up their own squatters' shacks on municipal property.
On Saturday 25 March 1944 the squat began.
16 October 1944), founder and chairman of Kaizer Chiefs Football Club Kamo Mphela (b.
The next wave of land invasions took place in September 1946.
1982), footballer with national team and Everton F.C. Hector Pieterson (1963–1976), the first student to be killed during the 1976 Soweto uprising who features in an iconic press photograph of the event; has a memorial and museum named after him in Orlando West Percy Qoboza (1938–1988), newspaper journalist and editor Gerard Sekoto (1913–1993), artist, lived in Kliptown before emigrating to France in 1947 Desmond Tutu (b.
On 1 April 1948 the Black section of Johannesburg Hospital (known as Non-European Hospital or NEH) was transferred to Baragwanath Hospital.
In 1997 the facility was renamed Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital after former General Secretary of the South African Communist Party, Chris Hani. ===Apartheid=== The National Party won the general election of 1948 and formed a new government.
dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 1983. ==External links== Soweto uprisings.com, an extensive map mashup with info on the events on 16 Populated places established in 1950 Townships in Gauteng Johannesburg Region D
In 1951 the Parliament passed the Building Workers Act, which permitted Blacks to be trained as artisans in the building trade.
In 1952 there was a breakthrough.
In 1952 it passed the Bantu Services levy Act, which imposed a levy on employers of African workers and the levy was used to finance basic services in Black townships.
In 1954 the City Council built 5,100 houses in Jabavu and 1,450 in Mofolo. The City Council's pride and joy was its economic scheme known as Dube Village.
In 1954 Parliament passed the Native Resettlement Act, which permitted the government to remove Blacks from suburbs like Sophiatown, Martindale, Newclare and Western Native Township.
The camps were meant to be used for a maximum of five years, but when they were eventually demolished in 1955, Moroka and Jabavu housed 89,000 people. ===Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital=== In 1941 the British Government built a military hospital next to the road between Johannesburg and Potchefstroom.
Tenants could erect their own dwellings in conformity with approved plans. In June 1955, Kliptown was the home of an unprecedented Congress of the People, which adopted the Freedom Charter. According to wiredspace, 44 the name Soweto was officially endorsed by the municipalities’ authorities only in 1963 after a special committee had considered various names.
Africans used to live in areas surrounding the city, so the authorities felt it would be more expedient to concentrate black workers in one district that could be easily controlled (1998:58). The new sub-economic townships took off in 1956, when Tladi, Zondi, Dhlamini, Chiawelo and Senoane were laid out providing 28,888 people with accommodation.
Between 1956 and 1960 they built 23,695 houses in Meadowlands and Diepkloof to accommodate the evicted persons.
The 1957 Natives (Urban Areas) Consolidation Act and its predecessors restricted residents between 1923 and 1976 to seven self-employment categories in Soweto itself.
This was carried out using the infamous Urban Areas Act of 1923. William Carr, chair of non-European affairs, initiated the naming of Soweto in 1959.
By 1960 the removals were more-or-less complete. In 1959 the City Council launched a competition to find a collective name for all the townships south-west of the city's centre.
Between 1956 and 1960 they built 23,695 houses in Meadowlands and Diepkloof to accommodate the evicted persons.
By 1960 the removals were more-or-less complete. In 1959 the City Council launched a competition to find a collective name for all the townships south-west of the city's centre.
The name Soweto was first used in 1963 and within a short period of time, following the 1976 uprising of students in the township, the name became internationally known. Soweto became the largest Black city in South Africa, but until 1976 its population could have status only as temporary residents, serving as a workforce for Johannesburg.
Tenants could erect their own dwellings in conformity with approved plans. In June 1955, Kliptown was the home of an unprecedented Congress of the People, which adopted the Freedom Charter. According to wiredspace, 44 the name Soweto was officially endorsed by the municipalities’ authorities only in 1963 after a special committee had considered various names.
Apartheid governments’ intention was for Soweto to house the accommodate black people that were working for Johannesburg “Incidentally, the name Soweto was officially endorsed by the municipal authorities only in 1963 after a special committee had sat for a long time, considering various names, including apartheid Townships and Verwoerdstad" (Gorodnov 1998:58).
It was only in 1963 that the City Council decided to adopt the name Soweto as the collective name. In 1971 Parliament passed the Black Affairs Administration Act, No.
Previously the townships were governed by the Johannesburg council, but from the 1970s the state took control. Black African councilors were not provided by the apartheid state with the finances to address housing and infrastructural problems.
It was only in 1963 that the City Council decided to adopt the name Soweto as the collective name. In 1971 Parliament passed the Black Affairs Administration Act, No.
The name Soweto was first used in 1963 and within a short period of time, following the 1976 uprising of students in the township, the name became internationally known. Soweto became the largest Black city in South Africa, but until 1976 its population could have status only as temporary residents, serving as a workforce for Johannesburg.
There were serious riots in 1976, sparked by a ruling that Afrikaans be used in African schools there; the riots were violently suppressed, with 176 striking students killed and more than 1,000 injured.
The City Council and the central government competed to control the Black townships of Johannesburg. ====1948 to 1976==== Following the election of the new government, some 7,000 new houses were built in the first two or three years, but very little was done thereafter.
As chairman of the board it appointed Manie Mulder, a political appointment of a person who had no experience of the administration of native affairs. Manie Mulder's most famous quote was given to the Rand Daily Mail in May 1976: "The broad masses of Soweto are perfectly content, perfectly happy.
There is no danger whatever of a blow-up in Soweto." ====Soweto uprising==== Soweto came to the world's attention on 16 June 1976 with the Soweto uprising, when mass protests erupted over the government's policy to enforce education in Afrikaans rather than their native language.
The 1957 Natives (Urban Areas) Consolidation Act and its predecessors restricted residents between 1923 and 1976 to seven self-employment categories in Soweto itself.
As a result, informal trading developed outside the legally-recognized activities. By 1976 Soweto had only two cinemas and two hotels, and only 83% of houses had electricity.
Using fire for cooking and heating resulted in respiratory problems that contributed to high infant mortality rates (54 per 1,000 compared to 18 for whites, 1976 figures. The restrictions on economic activities were lifted in 1977, spurring the growth of the taxi industry as an alternative to Soweto's inadequate bus and train transport systems. In 1994 Sowetans earned on average almost six and a half times less than their counterparts in wealthier areas of Johannesburg (1994 estimates).
1962), kwaito musician and producer Teboho MacDonald Mashinini (1957–1990), primary student leader of the June 1976 Soweto uprising, that spread across South Africa Mandla Mandela (b.
1982), footballer with national team and Everton F.C. Hector Pieterson (1963–1976), the first student to be killed during the 1976 Soweto uprising who features in an iconic press photograph of the event; has a memorial and museum named after him in Orlando West Percy Qoboza (1938–1988), newspaper journalist and editor Gerard Sekoto (1913–1993), artist, lived in Kliptown before emigrating to France in 1947 Desmond Tutu (b.
Using fire for cooking and heating resulted in respiratory problems that contributed to high infant mortality rates (54 per 1,000 compared to 18 for whites, 1976 figures. The restrictions on economic activities were lifted in 1977, spurring the growth of the taxi industry as an alternative to Soweto's inadequate bus and train transport systems. In 1994 Sowetans earned on average almost six and a half times less than their counterparts in wealthier areas of Johannesburg (1994 estimates).
One of the most well-known "civics" was Soweto's Committee of Ten, started in 1978 in the offices of The Bantu World newspaper.
Popular resistance to state structures dates back to the Advisory Boards (1950) that co-opted black residents to advise whites who managed the townships. ===Further popular resistance: incorporation into the City=== In Soweto, popular resistance to apartheid emerged in various forms during the 1980s.
1950), actress Khabonina Qubeka (born 1981), actress, TV presenter, dancer Lucas Radebe (b.
Since 1991 this date and the schoolchildren have been commemorated by the International Day of the African Child. ====Aftermath==== In response, the apartheid state started providing electricity to more Soweto homes, yet phased out financial support for building additional housing. Soweto became an independent municipality with elected black councilors in 1983, in line with the Black Local Authorities Act.
dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 1983. ==External links== Soweto uprisings.com, an extensive map mashup with info on the events on 16 Populated places established in 1950 Townships in Gauteng Johannesburg Region D
Reforms followed, but riots flared up again in 1985 and continued until the first non-racial elections were held in April 1994. In 2010, South Africa's oldest township hosted the final of the FIFA World Cup and the attention of more than a billion soccer spectators from all over the world was focused on Soweto. ===Kliptown and Pimville=== In April 1904 there was a bubonic plague scare in the shanty town area of Brickfields.
Such actions were strengthened by the call issued by African National Congress's 1985 Kabwe congress in Zambia to make South Africa ungovernable.
Since 1991 this date and the schoolchildren have been commemorated by the International Day of the African Child. ====Aftermath==== In response, the apartheid state started providing electricity to more Soweto homes, yet phased out financial support for building additional housing. Soweto became an independent municipality with elected black councilors in 1983, in line with the Black Local Authorities Act.
Reforms followed, but riots flared up again in 1985 and continued until the first non-racial elections were held in April 1994. In 2010, South Africa's oldest township hosted the final of the FIFA World Cup and the attention of more than a billion soccer spectators from all over the world was focused on Soweto. ===Kliptown and Pimville=== In April 1904 there was a bubonic plague scare in the shanty town area of Brickfields.
Using fire for cooking and heating resulted in respiratory problems that contributed to high infant mortality rates (54 per 1,000 compared to 18 for whites, 1976 figures. The restrictions on economic activities were lifted in 1977, spurring the growth of the taxi industry as an alternative to Soweto's inadequate bus and train transport systems. In 1994 Sowetans earned on average almost six and a half times less than their counterparts in wealthier areas of Johannesburg (1994 estimates).
1974), 1994 Miss South Africa & 1994 Miss World 1st runner-up, television personality, businesswoman, and philanthropist Doctor Khumalo (b.
As the state forbade public gatherings, church buildings like Regina Mundi were sometimes used for political gatherings. In 1995, Soweto became part of the Southern Metropolitan Transitional Local Council, and in 2002 was incorporated into the City of Johannesburg.
Originally built to house male migrant workers, many have been improved as dwellings for couples and families. In 1996, the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality awarded tenders to Conrad Penny and his company Penny Brothers Brokers & Valuers (Pty) Ltd.
In 1997 the facility was renamed Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital after former General Secretary of the South African Communist Party, Chris Hani. ===Apartheid=== The National Party won the general election of 1948 and formed a new government.
Apartheid governments’ intention was for Soweto to house the accommodate black people that were working for Johannesburg “Incidentally, the name Soweto was officially endorsed by the municipal authorities only in 1963 after a special committee had sat for a long time, considering various names, including apartheid Townships and Verwoerdstad" (Gorodnov 1998:58).
In 2000 it was estimated that around 2000 minibus taxis operated from the Baragwanath taxi rank alone. A Bus rapid transit system, Rea Vaya, provides transport for around 16 000 commuters daily. PUTCO has for many years provided bus commuter services to Soweto residents. ==Housing== The area is mostly composed of old "matchbox" houses, or four-room houses built by the government, that were built to provide cheap accommodation for black workers during apartheid.
As the state forbade public gatherings, church buildings like Regina Mundi were sometimes used for political gatherings. In 1995, Soweto became part of the Southern Metropolitan Transitional Local Council, and in 2002 was incorporated into the City of Johannesburg.
A series of bomb explosions rocked Soweto in October 2002.
The Legends Awards went to Gibson Kente, the "godfather" of township theatre, Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, a talk show host, Aggrey Klaaste, editor of the Sowetan newspaper and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, MP and African National Congress Women's League president. ==Suburbs== By 2003 the Greater Soweto area consisted of 87 townships grouped together into Administrative Regions 6 and 10 of Johannesburg. Estimates of how many residential areas make up Soweto itself vary widely.
The 2003 Regional Spatial Development Framework arrived at 87 names by counting various extensions (e.g.
1940 – 2003), musician, famous for penny whistle performance Kgosi Letlape (b.
The Chiefs and the Pirates feud in the rivalry known as the Soweto derby. The Soweto Open tennis tournament, part of the Challenger Tour is annually hosted in Soweto. The annual Soweto marathon is run over a course through Soweto. ===Festivals=== The Soweto Wine Festival was started in 2004.
1981), boxer, 2004 Olympian Kaizer Motaung (b.
Songs and interview from NPR's All Things Considered Soweto Gospel Choir: 'Voices from Heaven', 4 February 2005. Soweto String Quartet Soweto Melodic Voices, the youth choir selected to sing at the 2009 Confederations Cup.
1981), actress best known for her leading role as Miriam in the 2005 Oscar-winning feature film Tsotsi Pallance Dladla (b.
There are however some media sources dedicated to Soweto itself: Soweto Online is a geographical-based information-sharing portal. Soweto Internet Radio is a digital media network company established in 2008. Soweto TV is a community television channel, available on DStv channel 251.
Songs and interview from NPR's All Things Considered Soweto Gospel Choir: 'Voices from Heaven', 4 February 2005. Soweto String Quartet Soweto Melodic Voices, the youth choir selected to sing at the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Reforms followed, but riots flared up again in 1985 and continued until the first non-racial elections were held in April 1994. In 2010, South Africa's oldest township hosted the final of the FIFA World Cup and the attention of more than a billion soccer spectators from all over the world was focused on Soweto. ===Kliptown and Pimville=== In April 1904 there was a bubonic plague scare in the shanty town area of Brickfields.
1939 – 2020), actress, mother of Somizi Mhlongo Sello Chicco Twala (b.
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