Alexandra
Originally a half square kilometers in size - Today Alexandra is 7, 6 square kilometers, including the areas of the East Bank, West Bank and Tsotsomane, with an estimated population of 600 000 residents Alexandra - vibrant township - In stark contrast to its up market neighbor of Sandton, Johannesburg’s financial centre, only 10 Minutes away. Experience the township-vibe in Alexandra. (It is only 10 minutes away from Sandton.) Township is home to more than 450 000 people.
The Township tour is available seven days a week - please Contact Ekala Eco Tours - info@ekalatours.com - for tour details
Alexandra Township Tour can include:
Alexandra Roman Catholic Church - tranquil old St Hubert Church, between local shops and taverns.
Nobuhle hostel - apartheid era designed buildings for non white labourers.
Mixed Hostels – Multi leveled single apartments, built during apartheid era, to house single male and female workers. The shortcomings of the system created social problems within the community and encouraged prostitution.
Nelson Mandela Yard – A one-roomed house, located down a narrow alleyway, flanked by houses, leads to a room used by Nelson Mandela as a young lawyer during the 1940s. Before moving into this house, Nelson Mandela stayed at the Anglican Church, one street away.
Alexandra cemetery – Final resting place for many apartheid era political activists. The cemetery offers a view over Alexandra, the Juskei River, and the east bank developments.
Alexandra Stadium (Meshack Kunene Stadium) - a multipurpose stadium in Alexandra, currently used mainly for soccer and is home stadium for Alexandra United soccer club. Recently upgraded as part of the Alexandra Renewal Project (ARP).
Tsutsumani Village – Housing development opened in 1999 for use as the Athletic village during the All-Africa Games. Kings Cinema - art–deco movie house, capturing the style of the 1950’s, forming the entertainment centre of Alexandra. Cultural Centre - museum, hall of fame and indoor theater.
River Park – New developments as part of the ongoing Alexandra Renewal Project. Alexandra Arts factory – An arts training and performance venue. East Bank - Alexandra first elite housing project.
Zion Christian Church – ZCC – Church with the biggest membership in the Southern Hemisphere – approximately 5 million members.
Important heritage sites include the Twelve Apostles Church of Africa, the Alexandra Beer Hall, Freedom Square and the headquarters of the notorious Msomi Gang.
Alexandra Township Tour History:
The farm original owned by Mr. Papenfus, and reportedly named after his wife – Alexandra. The area was proclaimed as a white township in 1905. However in 1912 stands of approximately 1 000m2 were made available to black and Coloured South Africans, one of only a few urban sites in South Africa the black South African’s could acquire property rights. 1916 saw development of the Alexandra Health Committee, however was completely ineffective due to lack of funds.
Alexandra became known as the “Dark City” with no electricity or street lighting. The government’s lack of interest to develop the area saw the conditions deteriorate within Alexandra and Disease a constant threat. This was also aggravated by the fact that Alexandra fell outside the Johannesburg City boundaries. During the Second World War, the government considered demolishing Alexandra; however this did not come about. In 1958 Alexandra was placed under the West Rand Administration Board (WRAB) that chose rather to develop a dormitory style hostel suburb, resulting in mass forced removals to facilitate this development.
Most of these forced removals saw residents of Alexandra being moved to Soweto, mainly Diepkloof and Diepmeadow. This reduced the population of Alexandra from 75 000 residents to only 40 000 by 1973. The 3 month Bus Boycott of the Mid-1950’s showed the spirit and resolves of the people of Alexandra, choosing rather to walk 30km than pay the increased bus fares. During the late 1950’s and early 60’s the people of Alexandra were intimidated by the Msomi Gang, a mafia style gang that ruled Alexandra.
People of Alexandra Township have managed to endure and flourish
Throughout its turbulent past, Alexandra always had a desperate lack of facilities, yet the people have managed to endure and flourish. Political conflict erupted throughout South Africa during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Alexandra Township was not isolated to during the uprisings of 1984, Alexandra was declared a high-risk area and with the national state of emergency of 1986 – the South African Defense Force moved into Alexandra.
Personalised attention to your needs
Perfect tour options to include with the Alexandra Tour to create a full day tour:
Soweto Tour - Johannesburg Tour - Constitution Hill - Apartheid Museum
Ekala Eco Tours - Personalised attention to your needs. We look forward to hearing from you.
Please Contact Ekala Eco Tours - info@ekalatours.com
Ekala Eco Tours use qualified and registered guides - not drivers only.
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For further information on the Alexandra Tour please Contact Ekala Eco Tours. We look forward to hearing from you - info@ekalatours.com.