Mabopane is a Township in South Africa. It is situated in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, in the north of Gauteng.
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History
Proclamation
Mabopane was proclaimed in 1959 as a black-only residential settlement by the then Transvaal administration. Before its proclamation the area was under the administration of Transvaal government little more than grazing lands with small communities in Boukenhoutfontein (which later became Block A), Winterveldt and Hebron. The initial residents of Boukenhoutfontein were victims of forced removals from Wallmansthal, Lady Selborne, Boukenhoutkloof and other farm areas around Pretoria. Other residents of Mabopane were Mapulana people who were evicted from the farms near Primier Mine and settled in a non-developed area commonly called Mapulaneng, which is between Block A, Lebanon and Block U. 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 which had two roomed houses, Block B, Block C, Block D 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).
Bophuthatswana
Mabopane was incorporated into the bantustan of Bophuthatswana from 1977 to 1994. Parts of Mabopane, Blocks F, G and H became Soshanguve to house the Non-Tswana residents of Mabopane during the Bantustan rule.
Many institutions were built under President Lucas Mangope of Bophutatswana like ODI Manpower Centre, ODI hospital, homes, police stations, government departments, schools and prisons at such a rate that is to this day unattainable by the present government. Mangope provided good education and security for the citizens of Mabopane. At the same time those residents who were not Tswanas were persecuted and many moved to Soshanguve by coercion or free will. 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 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 was holding on to power. Mabopane Square used to be the gathering ground for activists and communists protesting against the government. School riots were plentiful in the 1976 Student Uprising. Several township administration halls were burnt and the bus depot was vandalized.
Post-Apartheid
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. In the advent of the new millennium Mabopane has seen new growth and repairs and maintenance of its infrastructure.
Geography
The climate is subtropical.
Demographics
Almost all of Mabopane's residents are of black race, 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. 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 taxi. The trains usually take working residents to the main industrial area's in Pretoria, whilst the taxi is used for local travel (within Mabopane, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa and Hebron), it costs 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 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. The overwhelming majority of residents understand and speak Tswana.
Local government
Mabopane falls under the City of Tshwane municipality (Pretoria) in Gauteng province.
Some of the counselors serving the district include struggle heroes MMC S. Nkhwashu, MMC D Lehobye, Couns. J Letebele and Couns. J Sindane who is the current couselor. Mabopane has good representation at Munitoria through the counselors.
The local government City of Tswane manages the area through agencies such as Sandspruit Water works and Eskom, locally it operates from Boekenhout. Residents enjoy tax rebates on property, discounted electricity and water services. The local government has put in effort to cleaning and maintaining Mabopane Square and its surrounding gardens. The local government however is slow in improving the infrastructure of Mabopane. Many roads remain untarred, manholes are open and a lack of security exists. Tshwane Metropolitan Police department is expected to open up in 2011/2012 on Lucas Mangope st Block U.
Education
Primary and High Schools
Mabopane High School, Selelo Primary School, Marula Primary School, Soshangan Primary, Ditshaba Primary, Ngaka Maseko High School, Pelotona Middle School, DA Mokoma High School, Boitekanelo Primary School, Nong Primary School, Ntsie Primary School, Botsalo Primary School, Dr AT Moreosele Secondary and many more schools exist in Mabopane.
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 of skills mainly to unemployed residents, the elderly and women.
Health care
Mabopane's healthcare is one of the more advanced in the northern townships. It includes a private hospital Legae (owned by Medi-Clinic), Odi Public Hospital (administered by the provincial government) with its hinterland coming in from as far as Botswana. There are several clinics in the community in Block A (colloquially known as Boekenhout), Block B, and another clinic also in Block B which is under construction.
There are several doctors and specialists in Mabopane who have access to the latest technology and innovations. These doctors are mostly in Lucas Mangope street. There are non-franchised pharmacies in Mabopane in Terminus and Block C.
There is a small home for those infected with HIV/AIDS in Block X. Currently there are no mental institutions in Mabopane.
Culture
Tswana,isiNdebele,isiZulu, Pedi and Tsonga There were many choral groups (choirs) in Mabopane namely: Macmor, Mabopane Choral, Mabopane Adult Choir.
Sport
Soccer and indoor games. The Odi Stadium is in Mabopane.
Popular culture
Scamto
Entertainment
- Morula Sun
- Nooitgedacht Dam is also nearby.
- Dinoko Park
- Zygos Pub
- Madala site
- Ga-Mike(Molewa)
- Social Market
- Local Parks
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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