Daveyton

Daveyton is a township in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Gauteng in South Africa. It borders Etwatwa to the north, Springs to the east, Benoni to the south, and Boksburg to the West. The nearest town is Benoni, which is 18 kilometres away. Daveyton is affectionately known by the nickname Vutha or Tuka due to it being the first black township to have access to electricity.

Daveyton achieved municipal status in 1983. Daveyton had a population of 151,659 inhabitants at the latest census.

Numerous civic and youth organizations operated in the township since 1980, such as the East Rand Peoples Organisation, the Daveyton Students Congress Peoples Party, the Sinaba Party, and the Daveyton Youth Council. The East Rand Peoples Party and Daveyton Students Congress were affiliates of the United Democratic Front.

Culture and lifestyle

Davetyon has a reputation for breeding some of the country's most talented soccer players, most of whom were recruited into the Kaizer Chiefs Development Academy by a man known as Mahlubi "Tshana" Mehlomakhulu. Soccer is the most celebrated sports in the township with tournaments such as Ibhola Lethu organized during the festive period. There is also a one of the most skilled player from Daveyton known as Aubrey Mooka(Briga), he lived in Ext-2.

Cuisine

Daveyton is regarded widely as the place where 'Kota' [a quarter of bread with choice fillings]originated, and where the best 'Kota' cuisine are made.'Kota'is one of the township's popular fast foods. Some of the famous shops in this industry are Stan's fastfoods and Fontana fastfoods in Lobedu which Mzekezeke also sings about. people come from far places to buy kotas in Daveyton, because of this there is a lot of competition amongst the sellers.

Vintage taxis

Daveyton township has been dubbed as "The Chevrolet Township" of South Africa. In the township these taxis are well known as "amaphela" and from 2006 they have been slowly replaced by the new Toyota Avanga. There is no other place in this country that has a collection of all models of Chevrolet cars. These cars serve as local taxis. They are part of the officially approved public trsnaport by the Provincial Gauteng Government. These taxis are one of the township's major tourist attractions. Other attractions include houses which were designed with open verandas. It is these unique houses that influenced different housing designs built by the Apartheid state in other parts of the township.

Famous residents

Daveyton gave birth to some of the South Africa's celebrated personalities and sports players, notably:

• Lebo Mathosa, one of South Africa's most talented performing singers
• Lira, professional singer and artist
• Jabu Pule, professional soccer player
• Briga (Aubrey Mooka), he was the most influential gangster and nobody could beat him

In the media

• Bopha!, is a 1986 play by Percy Mtwa which was later adapted to film. The African-American filmmaker and actor Morgan Freeman directed the film, which also starred Danny Glover. The film was shot in Daveyton.
• Yizo yizo I, II and III, is an uncompromising television drama series set in a township school that has achieved record-breaking audiences and cult status amongst South Africa's youth. It was directed by Teboho Mahlatsi and Angus Gibson.