Alexandra, Gauteng

Province

Alexandra ( Alex short ) is an administrative part of the metropolitan municipality of the City of Johannesburg, in the South African province of Gauteng. It was during the apartheid one of the few parts of the city of Johannesburg, which were inhabited by blacks. Alexandra is one of the poorest neighborhoods of the city.

Geography

Alexandra is about eleven kilometers north of the Johannesburg center on the Jukskei. A few kilometers away is the up and coming district of Sandton. Alexandra is bordered by the districts of Wynberg on the west, Marlboro and Kelvin on the north and Kew, Lombardy West and Lombardy East on the south.

Alexandra is approximately eight square kilometers and has officially 179 624 inhabitants ( 2011). Thus, the population density is about 22,000 people per square kilometer. Alexandra belongs to the region E in Johannesburg, the 2006 District 7 was called to administrative reform.

History

Originally the area now part of the city belonged to the farmer Papenfus, who named it after his wife Alexandra. He planned in 1904 to construct a residential area for whites. But because of the distance of the Johannesburg center, he was unsuccessful. Alexandra was therefore established in 1912 as a township for " natives ". It was not until the following year was proclaimed in South Africa, the Natives Land Act, the land of the blacks refused in many cities. Since Alexandra was already established, blacks were able to continue to acquire land here.

1916 already lived around 30,000 people in Alexandra. Since neither the newly established Alexandra Health Committee nor the City Council of Johannesburg were in charge, there was at this time no administrative leadership in the district.

With the victory of the National Party in the general elections in 1948 and the beginning of the policy of apartheid Alexandra was the former " authority of Native Affairs " assumed. Main objective was to limit the population and the expropriation of landowners. Evacuation as in Sophiatown district did not take place, however, some 50,000 residents had to forcibly Tembisa and Soweto move. A plan to replace spacious homes for families through Single dormitories, was abandoned in 1979.

On January 7, 1957, the Alexandra Bus Boycott began, even Azikwelwa ( German: We will not go ), which is considered one of the few successful campaigns against the apartheid regime. After the fare had been increased, buses in Alexandra were boycotted. Instead, many people ran the routes daily walk. Residents of other parts of the city of Johannesburg and Pretoria joined the boycott. In June 1957, the price increase was withdrawn.

In the course of the uprising in Soweto in 1976, 19 people were killed in Alexandra. Subsequently, the policy of repression against the inhabitants was somewhat mitigated. To the right of residence of blacks was recognized. 1982 was awarded the district the status of a residential area, and the Alexandra Liaison Committee under the leadership of Reverend Buti was entrusted with the administration of the district.

In February 1986 Alex Six Days were held. In these riots 40 people were killed. The local administration broke down and was partially replaced by informal structures such as people's courts. In June troops marched in, but long term could not secure the order. 13 local leaders were accused of high treason. There was further unrest.

1991-1992 there were other conflicts first successful peace initiatives. With the end of apartheid in 1994, the situation improved.

The Alexandra Renewal Project 2000 ( German: "Alexandra Renewal Project") initiated. It led to conflicts between residents and businesses as a waste disposal company in the neighboring Marlboro.

In May 2008 began a nationwide series of xenophobic attacks, especially on Zimbabweans in Alexandra.

Sons and daughters of the district

  • Alf Khumalo (1930-2012), South African Photographer
  • David Koloane ( born 1938 ), South African artists
  • Barney Rachabane ( born 1946 ), South African jazz musicians
  • Solly Shoke ( born 1956 ), South African military commander
  • Brian Baloyi ( born 1974 ), South African soccer player
  • Benson Mhlongo ( born 1980 ), South African soccer player

Personalities who lived in Alexandra

  • Nelson Mandela, former South African President
  • Kgalema Motlanthe, former South African President, now Vice-President ( according to some sources he was born in Alexandra)
  • Samora Machel, former President of Mozambique
  • Joe Modise, former South African defense minister
  • Hugh Masekela, South African Musicians
  • Mahlathini, South African Musicians
  • Wally Serote Mongane, South African poet
  • Mark Mathabane, South African author and tennis players
Natives Land Act, 1913 Soweto uprising Alf Kumalo Mongane Wally Serote
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