Khayelitsha, located in the metropolitan area of Cape Town in South Africa, is one of the largest slums in South Africa. Originally planned by the apartheid government as a formal settlement for the majority community of Black Africans, the township is home to about 2400000 people and consists of more than 22 separate settlements. Started as a consequence of racism in South Africa, Khayelitsha is now a vibrant community known for its entrepreneurial spirit.
A Brief History
Between the 1950s – 1950s the apartheid government enacted a series of laws and policies to enforce racial segregation. These laws forcibly relocated black Africans from urban areas to designated townships. Khayelitsha was set up between the 1970s and 1980s on the outskirts of Cape Town and experienced rapid population growth as people were forcibly relocated from other areas. After the end of the apartheid in the 1990s the new government began implementing policies like The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) as comprehensive strategies. These policies have been launched to address the socio-economic inequalities and promote inclusive development.
Informal and Formal Architecture
Characterized by informal architecture, Khayelitsha has a combination of materials used for construction. Materials like corrugated iron, wood, brick and plastic have been commonly used. Khayelitsha is characterized by old formal areas and new informal/formal areas. Bongweni, Ikwezi Park, Khulani Park, Khanya Park, Tembani, Washington Square, Graceland, Ekuphumleni and Zolani Park are the areas built by the apartheid government, while Site B, Site C, Green Point, Litha Park, Mandela Park, Makaza and Harare are the newer areas built around the old settlement. Except for Litha Park, these areas contain a high number of informal settlements, RDP houses, and informal backyard shacks. The recent informal settlements in Khayelitsha include the QQ Section, TR Section, RR Section and Enkanini.
There is a visible difference in the planning of the central areas and the fringe areas. While the central areas are a part of the planned development proposed by the government the fringe has informal housing set up by refugees. The planned areas have proper roads between blocks while the informal area is haphazard.
Navigating Urban Issues
According to the 2005 statistics, Khayelitsha faced a lot of challenges. A majority of households didn’t have access to water, sanitation and electricity. Over the years, Khayelitsha has made strides in addressing some of its longstanding urban challenges. Efforts to improve access to basic services, such as water, sanitation, and electricity, have led to significant improvements in living conditions for many residents. Through government programs and community effort, there has been substantial progress in Khayelitsha’s infrastructure. However certain urban issues still persist. Affordable and formal housing options are limited leading to an expansion of informal settlement. Housing insecurity and crime are some of the pressing issues. Job opportunities within the township are limited giving rise to an increase in small businesses. Issues related to gangsterism.
Initiatives
Khayelitsha is a part of the Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading (VPUU) program, which aims to address four types of exclusion (economic, cultural, social, and institutional) in low income settlements in an effort to prevent crime. The project aimed to create a series of nodes with safe connectivity. The pedestrian link connected an urban park that was previously identified by community members as one of the unsafe areas of the neighborhood. The Khayelitsha area now has an urban park, a safe pedestrian walkway, and a public square with a series of public amenities.
Other goals include:
Provide a clear definition between public and private spaces.
- Provide places for play and relaxation.
- Create a safe, well-lit, and easily surveyed pedestrian route.
- Employ sustainable landscape practices.
- Use easy-to-maintain, durable materials and designs.
The involvement of several public agencies, Citizen Associations, Nonprofits, Engineers and Architects has led to the rapid development of the township. During the 7 year course of this project from 2006 to 2013 the results were promising. There was a 30% increase in pedestrian activity and 45% decrease in the crime rates.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit
Today Khayelitsha is a frequent tourist destination and the home of the entrepreneurial spirit. The main streets are lined up with containers used by people to promote their businesses. From ethnic cuisine to cultural experiences Khayelitsha has it all! The 18 Gangster Museum is an initiative to spread awareness about the consequences of joining gangs, which is prevalent in Cape Town. Visitors get to see two sides, dark and light showing the negative side of gangsterism. They can also talk to former gang members and ask questions.
A township born from oppression has now become a thriving community. The various initiatives by residents and the government have become successful in improving the quality of life for the residents. Community initiatives have empowered residents of Khayelitsha to take ownership of their township. The government initiatives are focusing on reducing crime and improving infrastructure, providing access to basic amenities and promoting tourism in order to increase the quality of life in Khayelitsha. The economy of Khayelitsha is highly dependent on small businesses run by the residents. As a result of the combined efforts, it has now emerged as a tourist destination. Overall, the township stands testament to the importance of community engagement in solving urban issues.
References:
- (No date) Khayelitsha Township, Cape Town – Viator. Available at: https://www.viator.com/en-ZA/Cape-Town-attractions/Khayelitsha/overview/d318-a17883 (Accessed: 01 May 2024).
- About khayelitsha (no date) Sikhula Sonke Early Childhood Development. Available at: https://www.sikhulasonke.org.za/about-khayelitsha.html (Accessed: 01 May 2024).
- Case study 2: Khayelitsha; Cape Town, South Africa (2022) Global Designing Cities Initiative. Available at: https://globaldesigningcities.org/publication/global-street-design-guide/streets/streets-informal-areas/recommendations/case-study-2-khayelitsha-cape-town-south-africa/ (Accessed: 01 May 2024).
- Khayelitsha (2024) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khayelitsha (Accessed: 01 May 2024).
- Khayelitsha Township (no date) Khayelitsha Township | South African History Online. Available at: https://www.sahistory.org.za/place/khayelitsha-township (Accessed: 01 May 2024).
- Visiting khayelitsha (2020a) Destination Cape Town. Available at: https://thisis.capetown/home/explore/live/neighbourhoods/khayelitsha/ (Accessed: 01 May 2024).
- Visiting khayelitsha (2020b) Destination Cape Town. Available at: https://thisis.capetown/home/explore/live/neighbourhoods/khayelitsha/ (Accessed: 01 May 2024).
