Region D

Region D encompasses the whole of Soweto, where Orlando was the first township. Other long-established townships include Diepkloof, Dube, Meadowlands, Orlando East and Orlando West. There are also large informal settlements in the region.

It has major challenges, but it takes pride in its history as the main theatre for the struggle against apartheid. Many of its citizens, famous and unknown, played a major role in that struggle.

The dynamics of urban development were not taken into consideration when Soweto and other historically disadvantaged areas were created.

The task now is to tackle the resulting problems with determination and build on the strengths of the region, one of which is Soweto’s growth as a major tourist attraction. It welcomes everyone with equal hospitality, whether they are presidents, pop stars or ordinary members of the public.

The irrepressible spirit of Soweto
Region D has a difficult task ahead of it, faced with the challenge of building what was once the vast black-labour dormitory of Johannesburg into a prosperous urban area – one in which all its residents and the whole country can take pride.

But precisely because of Soweto’s history, and its central role in the larger history of South Africa, few places in the country are as determined to tackle the challenges of the future with such passion.

If the region is heir to poverty, a mass influx of migrants seeking work and a historical lack of decent urban planning, the scene is now set on a great deal of positive municipal and community activity. As before, it retains the irrepressible spirit of all Sow etans.

Where we are

Regional Director: Patrick Lephunya

Soweto is a composite name, standing for South-Western Townships. Situated in the southwest of the greater metropolitan area, Region D abuts Johannesburg’s mining belt to its north. Its western periphery forms the furthest boundary of the City of Johannesburg.

On its eastern border, it is separated from Johannesburg South by the Western Bypass of the N1, and its southern neighbour is Region G (Lenasia, Ennerdale and Orange Farm).

Some of the suburbs of Region D include Chris Hani, Chiawelo, Diepkloof, Diepkloof Extension, Dobsonville, Doornkop/Thulani, Ebumnandini, Freedom Square, Jabulani, Meadowlands, Naledi, Orlando East, Orlando West, Protea Glen, Protea South, Slovo Park, Slovoville and Tshepisong.

General description

The established areas of Region D are largely composed of the old “matchbox” houses built to provide cheap accommodation for Joburg’s workers during the apartheid era.

Street after street of these are found in Region D, but in some areas, such as Diepkloof Extension, prosperous Sowetans have built houses that can be compared to those in some of Johannesburg’s most upmarket suburbs.

However, there are also large areas of informal settlements, the most extensive being in Doornkop/Thulani, Ebumnandini, Protea South, Chris Hani, Slovo Park and Freedom Square.

Hostels, originally built to house male migrant workers in the most basic of circumstances, are a feature of Soweto. Many of these have been improved and now accommodate couples and families.

And many inhabitants of the “matchbox” dwellings take pride in improving and extending their homes as well as creating pretty gardens. More trees have been planted in recent years and some previously desolate parks have been upgraded and are now attractive recreation areas.

The region is participating in the Wetlands Project, which is aimed at rehabilitating the rivers and streams of Soweto. Although many parts of the wetland have become extremely degraded, the project has the potential to provide green belt areas. There is a growing interest in the greening of Soweto, including private gardens for both decorative and food purposes.

A major landmark in Region D is the huge, world-renowned Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, situated at the eastern entrance to Soweto alongside the Potchefstroom Road, which is roughly parallel to the Soweto Highway at this point.

There is sufficient road infrastructure in many parts of the region, with busy highways running to the Johannesburg central business district and Roodepoort. Commuters are largely reliant on trains and taxis. With a history that did not allow the creation of major employment centres within Soweto, almost all its working people have to commute to work in other areas of Johannesburg.

Demographic information

Region D’s population is 1,058,978 (Census 2001, Stats SA) many of whom live in informal settlements; for example, there are 58 000 people living in Doornkop/Thulani alone. Poverty is a major problem, with high unemployment and low educational levels.

Key issues

With major development issues focus on, the region needs to ensure that all capital projects are completed on time, to secure additional funding for new capital projects and to ensure that existing facilities are well maintained and administered.

Municipal staff training is regarded as a priority.

Foreign tourists, in particular, relish the informal vivacity of Soweto’s shebeen culture and tasting the unique local cuisine. The nightlife offers a choice of clubs with some of the liveliest music available.

But the real attraction for many visitors to the region is its history, perhaps most importantly represented by the Hector Pieterson Memorial Museum (011 536 0611) in Orlando West. Hector Pieterson was one of the first children to die, shot by police, on 16 June 1976, the start of the Soweto Uprising. Many world leaders have visited the memorial to pay their respects.

Other sites of historic interest in Region D include Morris Isaacson Secondary School in Jabavu, which was deeply involved in the uprising; and the Regina Mundi Church, where many politically charged services and funerals of activists took place. The church bore witness to much of the anger and pain of the apartheid struggle.

Another magnet for visitors is Nelson Mandela’s former house in Vilakazi Street (011 936 7754). Sowetans boast that they have the only street in the world to house two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s house is also in Vilakazi Street. Walter Sisulu’s home is in the same area.

Sowetans are passionate about the sport, especially soccer, and Region D is home to the Elkah, Jabavu, Dobsonville and Lenasia stadiums. There are also four stadiums in the Diepmeadow area. A variety of other sport is catered for by different complexes and swimming pools, including a boxing academy in Nancefield, a basketball academy in Jabavu and a bowling green in Klipspruit West.

Major sports events take place on a regular basis and add colour and entertainment to the lives of residents and visitors.

The Oppenheimer Complex is an attractive park with a hall for functions and parties. After walking up the tower’s internal staircase, visitors get an aerial view of Soweto.

The best known of the region’s restaurants is Wandie’s Place (011 982 2796) in Dube, the brainchild of the pioneering Wandie Ndala. It has become extremely popular with tourists. Other popular restaurants are Pallazo di Stella (011 982 1380), which is also in Dube and specialises in pizzas; and Soweto Cappuccino​​ (011 936 1998) in Orlando West, where the speciality – as the name suggests – is high-quality coffee.

Armadale, Chiawelo, Chiawelo Extensions, Comptonville, Devland, Devland Extensions, Dhlamini, Dhlamini Ext.1 & 2, Diepkloof Extensions, Diepkloof Zone 1 – 6, Dobsonville, Dobsonville Extensions, Dobsonville Gardens, Doornkop, Doornkop Ext.1, Dube, Dube Ext.2, Emdeni, Emdeni Ext.1 & 2, Jabavu, Jabavu Central Western, Jabavu Central Western Ext.1, Jabavu Extensions, Jabulani, Klipspruit, Klipspruit Extensions, Klipspruit West, Klipspruit West Ext.1 & 2, Lenaron, Lougherin, Mapetla, Meadowlands, Meredale Extensions, Mofolo Central, Mofolo North, Mofolo South, Mofolo South Ext.1, Molapo, Moletsane, Moroka, Moroka North, Naledi, Naledi Ext.1& .2, Naturena, Naturena Extensions, Noordgesig, Noordgesig Ext.1, Orlando, Orlando East, Orlando East Ext.1, Orlando West, Orlando West Extensions, Phiri, Pimville Zone 1 – 9, Pimville Zone 1 Ext, Power Park, Power Park Ext.2 & 3, Protea City, Protea Glen, Protea Glen Extensions, Protea North, Protea North Extensions, Rivasdale, Senaoane, Slovoville, Slovoville Ext.1, Stesa, Tladi, Zola, Zondi.