Mabopane

Mabopane
—  Town  —
Mabopane
Nickname(s): Mabop City
Mabopane Location within Gauteng
Mabopane
Coordinates: 25°30′0″S 28°4′48″E
Country	South Africa
Province	Gauteng
Municipality	City of Tshwane
Area
• Total	141.84 km2 (54.76 sq mi)
Population (2006)
• Total	192,914
• Density	1,360/km2 (3,500/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2001)
• Black African	99.7%
• Coloured	0.2%
First languages (2001)
• Tswana	40.0%
• Tsonga	15.9%
• Northern Sotho	13.0%
• Zulu	12.3%
• Other	18.8%
Time zone	SAST (UTC+2)
ZIP codes	0190
Area code(s)	012

Mabopane is a Township in South Africa. It is situated in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, in the north of Gauteng.

History

Mabopane was proclaimed in the early 1977 as a black-only residential settlement by the then puppet government of Bophuthatswana under Kgosi Dr. Lucas Mangope. Before its proclamation the area was under the admnistration of Transvaal government little more than grazing lands with small communities in Boukenhout and Hebron. With the financing coming from the South African government the first block houses were constructed similar to those found in Soweto, beginning with Block A, Block B, Block C, Block E and Block E. The areas within Mabopane were planned according to the class of its citizens; for example Block D (with many mansions which housed the politically connected) in comparison to Block E (block–houses). Mabopane grew mainly due to protection of blacks under Mangope rather than P.W Botha although they being little difference.

In the Apartheid days Mabopane was an active base for P.A.C and A.N.C members who mobilized workers against the government and playing the South African government against the Bophuthatswana Administration. The times were tough particularly in the mid 1980s as the local authority were holding on to power. Mabopane Square used to be the gathering ground for activists and communists protesting against the then government. School riots were plentiful in the 1976 Student Uprising. Several township administration halls were burnt, and the bus depot opposite what is now Ace wholesalers was vandalized. With democracy on its way in the early 1990s the face of Mabopane started to change. The old authorities were replaced with new leaders in what was then the Town of Mabopane. Hon. Lehobye was the first mayor along with Hon. Molema deputy mayor who were elected to administer the town.

Many institutions where built by then “President Mangope” like MANPOWER, hospitals, homes, police stations, government departments schools and prisons at such a rate that is to this day unattainable by the present government. He provided good education and security for the citizens of Mabopane. During the late 1990s Mabopane's growth slumped in line with the national recession which had negative consequences for the citizens of Mabopane. In the advent of the new millennium Mabopane has seen new growth and repairs and maintenance of its infrastructure.

Geography

The climate is sub tropical. Bophuthatswana government started to rule Mabopane in 1976 not 1970, Students riots erupted again in 1986 @ Bana sports ground and carried on until September 1986 where many students were killed. Mangope's government only build houses for his puppets, unlike this government who build for every one who qualifies. Pensioners were paid by monthly unlike this government who pays them monthly. Malose Lehobye was never a first mjor of Mabopane but he was the second after James Mohapi who resigned after being hijack the major's car.

Demographics

Almost all of Mabopane's residents are in race black with a few Somali traders and shopkeepers. The age groups in the township is generally in line with the country's age groups, with teenagers as the largest age group.

The majority of residents are of the Christian faith with different nominally sects like Zcc, Lutheran, Twelve apostle and John Wesley. Non-Christian faiths in the minority include Islam and Atheism. Mabopane like most townships in South Africa has a wide range of income groups, the poorest earn between US$100-$US300 of which comes mostly from State social grants, the second group middle class earnings is generally between US$400-US$1400. There is a definite class distinction within this group. The upper class in the township as the minority enjoys low property value taxes and rates they income bracket does exceed US$5000 along with large equity in assets. The upper class is comparable to the middle class in any developed country.

Most residents in the township rely on public transport to commute and this is through rail (Mabopane Station),bus and the Taxi. The trains usually take working residents to the main industrial area's in Tshwane, whilst the taxi is used for local travel (within Mabopane, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa and Hebron) it cost about US$0.70 for a trip that can span 8 miles. Transport to the main city is through the larger taxis which carry 14-22 passengers. The taxis are available from about 05:00-19:00 and will cost US$2 to commute about 26.66 miles to town. Most taxis are efficient, clean and the drivers will show courtesy to their passengers. About 20% of citizens own cars.

The languages in Mabopane mostly are from the Bantu origins. Tswana, Sotho, Sepedi, Ndebele,Tsonga,Zulu and English are the languages spoken in Mabopane, most residents can only speak two or three languages. The overwhelming majority of residents understand and speak Tswana.

Local government

Mabopane falls under the City of Tshwane municipality (Pretoria), which in fact is in the Gauteng province.

Some of the counselors serving the district include struggle heroes MMC S. Nkhwashu, MMC D Lehobye, Couns. J Letebele. Mabopane has good representation at Muntoria through the counselors.

Local government C.o.T manages the area through agencies such as Sandspruit Water works and Eskom, locally it operates from Boukenhout. Residents enjoy tax rebates on property, discounted electricity and water services. The local government has put effort into cleaning and maintaining Mabopane Square and surrounding gardens. The local government however has being slow in improving the infrastructure of Mabopane many roads remain untarred, manhole open and lack of security (Tshwane Metropolitan Police department to open up in 2011/2012 on Lucas Mangope st Block U)

Education

Higher education

Higher Education in Mabopane is seriously under pressure as more students prefer to attend lecture outside the district. There is only one community college, Tshwane South College previously known as MANPOWER. It offers a medium variety of courses, mainly rudimentary and basic and technical skills subjects. There is no option to receive any degree but a national certificate accredited by Umalusi. There is a large failure rate at this campus in comparison to other colleges.

There are about two F.E.T (Further Education Training) institutions in Mabopane offering transferring skills mainly to unemployed residents, the elderly and women. Mmc D. Lehobye was never an activist & she never participated in women's league during the uprising, we know activist heroes like Mrs Baard who once led the march to Mabopane police station for free political activity, we also know Mrs Selikisho who had allowed Anc, Sacp,Youth league & women's league

Health care

Mabopane’s healthcare is one of the more advanced in the northern townships. It includes a private (advanced) hospital Legae (owned by Medi-Clinic), Odi Public Hospital (administed by the provincial government) with its hinterland coming in all the way from as far as Botswana. There are several clinics in the community in Boukenhout, Block B, and another clinic also in Block B which is under construction.

There are several doctors and specialists in Mabopane who are qualified and have access to the latest technology and innovations. These doctors are mostly in Lucas Mangope street. There are non-franchise pharmacies in Mabopane in Terminus and Block C being the most respected.

There is a small home for those infected with HIV/AIDS in Block X. Currently there are no mental institutions in Mabopane.

Culture

Tswana, Zulu, Pedi and Tsonga

Sport

Soccer and indoor games. The Odi Stadium is in Mabopane.

Popular culture

Scamto

Points of interest

There are a number of points of interest in and around the township. Here are some of the most notable ones.

Entertainment

• Morula Sun
• Nooitgedacht dam is also nearby.

See also

• Boputhatswana
• Ga-Rankuwa
• Soshanguve
• Atteridgeville