Katlehong
Katlehong is large township in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. It is 28 km south-east of Johannesburg and south of Germiston between two other townships of Thokoza and Vosloorus next to the N3 highway. It forms part of the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality which governs the East Rand . katlehong extends from Spruitview in the north to Palm ridge and Magagula heights in the south.
Katlehong
K1 | |
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Katlehong Katlehong Katlehong | |
Coordinates: 26°20′S 28°09′E | |
Country | South Africa |
Province | Gauteng |
Municipality | Ekurhuleni |
Main Place | Johannesburg |
Government | |
• Leader | Rasta Hlokomelo |
Area | |
• Total | 55.36 km2 (21.37 sq mi) |
Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 467,890 |
• Density | 8,500/km2 (22,000/sq mi) |
Racial makeup (2011) | |
• Black African | 98.4% |
• Coloured | 0.5% |
• Indian/Asian | 0.8% |
• White | 0.1% |
• Other | 0.3% |
First languages (2011) | |
• Zulu | 37.1% |
• Sotho | 22.4% |
• Xhosa | 13.1% |
• Tsonga | 9.7% |
• Other | 17.7% |
Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
Postal code (street) | 1431 |
PO box | 1432 |
Website | http://katlehong.co.za |
History
Katlehong (place of success) was established in 1945 and has become a high-density area in Gauteng with 6 informal settlements in its southern part. There is serious overcrowding e.g. in each tiny yard, shacks are set up for rent – one toilet often serves five to six families. Despite being surrounded by an industrial area, there is a high level of unemployment. Katlehong is one of the most poorly served areas in Gauteng in terms of community development. Together with Thokoza and Vosloorus it forms the second biggest black township after Soweto.
As a historic site Katlehong together with Thokoza township share a region formerly known as Palmietfontein Airport, which was a wartime air force base converted to a temporary airport to serve Johannesburg whilst the new airport, Jan Smuts Airport (now OR Tambo International Airport), was being built. Palmietfontein was transformed into a motor racing circuit for the 1956 Rand Grand Prix, which was won by Peter Whitehead. The township of Katlehong was eventually established on the site, although parts of the original runway are still visible on Google Maps to this day.
Notable people
Katlehong is home and gave birth to some of the South Africa's celebrated personalities and sports players, notably:
- Sibusiso Khumalo, professional soccer player
- Sifiso Hlope, digital thought leader
- Kwesta, rapper
- Tshepang Motsieloa, activist , politician
- Nkosinathi Ngema, footballer
- Emmanuel Ngobese, professional soccer player
- Reason, rapper
- Thembsie Matu, actress
- Nthati Moshesh, actress
See also
References
- "Main Place Katlehong". Census 2011.
External links
- Township Vibes Taking The Townships To Another Level
- South Africa Today A YouTube Channel giving news updates on SA's high crime situation for tourists, business and media.
- Katlehong Resource Centre