Jump to content

Delft, Western Cape

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 155.238.8.15 (talk) at 08:36, 11 March 2009 (→‎Geography and Demographics). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Delft is a new township on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. It is known for its high crime rate, substandard schools, lack of jobs, and numerous government built housing projects such as the N2 Gateway.

History

Delft was established in 1989. It is a rapidly expanding community found within the Eastern District of the City of Tygerberg local authority. This community was originally established as an integrated service land project for 'coloureds' and 'blacks'.[1]

Geography and Demographics

Delft is situated approximately 34km north east of Cape Town, and approximately 7,5 km from Bellville. It was established to be one of Cape Town's first mixed race township including 'coloured' and 'black' residents. In 2000, it had a population between 25 000 and 92 000 inhabitants. [2]

According to a recent census, Delft is currentl 60% Coloured and 40% Black African with almost no Whites or Indians. The most prominent languages are Afrikaans and isiXhosa while english is in wide use as a second language. The majority of residents have not finished their matric. Official unemployment levels are at about 43% (although unofficially, this is might be much higher).[3]

Delft is subdivided into six sections namely, The Hague, Rosendal, Voorbrug, Eindhoven, Leiden and Delft South . The first three sections are predominantly 'coloured' while Eindhoven is partially inhabited by 'coloureds' and blacks and Delft South and Leiden is predominantly 'black'. [4]

Much of Delft consists of checks and government housing projects. The newest projects are the Symphony which is the main part of the N2 Gateway Pilot Project as well as Temporary Relocation Areas (TRAs) such as Tsunami and the Symphony Way TRA.[5][6]

Subdivisions

Delft is a big Township, so it is devided into 6 places(divisions) namely Delft South(Suburban) ,Voorbrug,Leiden(Delft Central,Eindhoven,Roosendal & The Hague. Delft South also known as Suburban which is predominantly populated by black people, Leiden(Delft Central) which is also predominantly populated by black people. Voorbrug, The Hague, Roosendal & Eindhoven is predominantly populated by coloured people.

In the News

Delft recently became newsworthy because of the controversial N2 Gateway housing project. The shackdwellers of Joe Slovo Informal Settlement in Cape Town have publicly refused to to forcibly removed to Delft. Also, in December 2008, backyard dwellers occupied over 1000 N2 Gateway houses in the new Symphony section of Delft. DA Councillor Frank Martin who was accused of inciting thousands of poor people to occupy these houses.[7][8] Eventually, the families who occupied the houses were violently evicted by police who used rubber bullets to put down the protest.[9]. News of the violent repression reached international news with some people saying that it has severely hurt South Africa's reputation. [10]. Evicted residents are now living in makeshift shacks on Symphony Way across from the houses. They have vowed a permanent sit-in on the road.[11].

References

  1. ^ "Community Situation Analysis". DG Groups.
  2. ^ "Community Situation Analysis". DG Groups.
  3. ^ "City of Cape Town - Census 2001 - Delft". City of Cape Town.
  4. ^ "Community Situation Analysis". DG Groups.
  5. ^ "Delft squatters 'still unhappy'". 24 News. 2008-02-22.
  6. ^ "Police illegally destroy homes on Symphony Way". 2008-10-04.
  7. ^ "Western Cape Evictions trial on hold". Labournet. 2008-01-08.
  8. ^ "DA councillor in court over Delft housing incident". Mail & Guardian. 2008-12-21.
  9. ^ "Delft residents refuse, resist eviction". Star. 2008-02-19.
  10. ^ "Everyone needs a stake in our society". The Mercury. 2008-03-05.
  11. ^ "Press Update: Delft community and Anti-Eviction Campaign sleep on Symphony Rd, vow permanent sit in". Anti-Eviction Campaign. 2008-02-20.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Delft,_Western_Cape&oldid=276474796"