langa

History of Langa

Province; Western Cape
Coordinates: 33.9447° S, 18.5323° E
Area 3.09 km2
Municipality: City Of Cape Town

Langa, meaning “sun” in Xhosa, is named after the Xhosa chief Langalibalele, who was imprisoned on Robben Island in 1873 for rebelling against the Natal government. After advocacy from prominent figures, he was relocated to the farm Uitvlugt, now the site of Pinelands. The township of Langa, commemorating this folk hero, was developed in 1898 in an area known as “Langalibalele’s Location.” It was built in stages, with initial structures lacking infrastructure, but it was completed in 1927. The township, often called “Kwa-Langa,” meaning “place of Langa,” is located adjacent to Pinelands.

The township was originally designed to allow authorities maximum visibility and control over residents. Local laws prohibiting the brewing of sorghum beer (utywala) were strongly resented, leading to the abolition of prohibition in the 1930s. This change was followed by the construction of municipal beer halls in 1945.

The postcode in Langa is 7455

WEATHER IN LANGA TODAY

Things to see and do in Langa

  • King Langalibalele Drive is one of the busiest streets in  Langa, The street was renamed in 2014 to honour amaHlubi chief Langalibalele, who was imprisoned on Robben Island in 1873. It is a fascinating stretch of road which is home to some of the country’s most famous musicians and sports stars

Useful Numbers

  • Police: 021-6958000, 021-6958006
  • Traffic department: Gugulethu
  • Phone: 021-6958000, 021-6958006
  • Fire: Epping021 534 1387
  • Water: 0860 103 089
  • Electricity:0860 103 089
  • Ambulance: 10177
  • Post office;021 694 6281
  • Clinic;021 694 1740
  •  Community Health Centre· Pharmacy-021 694 1740
  •  Multi-purpose Sports centre:021 694 7700 Bunga ave
  •  Indoor Sports centre:021 444 5802
  •  Community hall:021 444 5802
  • Monwabisi Recreation Centre:021 444 5802
  • SPCA: Cape Of Good Hope- 021 700 4140
  • Schools;
  • Langa High School-021 694 1874
  • Thembani Primary School-021 694 1829
  • Leap School Langa-021 012 5067-081 347 4430
  • Ikamvalethu Secondary School-021 694 9933
  • Siyabulela Primary School-021 694 2718
  • Zimasa Primary School-021 694 2775
  • Mokone Primary School-021 694 0201
  • Moshesh Primary School-021 694 1834
  • Isilimela Secondary School-081 347 4430
  • Kulani Secondary School-021 694 3301
  • Zimasa Primary School-061 479 6252
  • Lagunya Finishing School-021 694 1801
  • Saint Louis (RC) Primary School.-021 694 2157
  • Museum;  Heritage / Dompas Museum-021 694 8320
  • Tourism;021 695 5098

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