• Province  Western Cape
• Coordinates 33.951°S 18.554°E
• Area 3.55 km2
• Municipality City of Cape Town

Bonteheuwel, often called “Bontas” by the locals, is a suburb on the Cape Flats in Cape Town, located south-east of the city centre and west of Langa. It lies between Thornton, Pinelands and Gugulethu, with easy access to the N2 and M7 road networks. The suburb forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan area and is situated close to industrial zones and major transport routes linking the northern and southern suburbs.

History of Bonteheuwel

Bonteheuwel is a former Coloured township which was established in the 1960s as a new home for the victims of the Group Areas Act of 1950, particularly those forcibly removed from District Six. The name means “spotted hill” in Afrikaans, reflecting the area’s diverse community.

 This development was part of a broader strategy to control urban growth and enforce racial segregation.

The area was first intended to be a letting scheme owned by the then Cape Town City. The construction of housing began in 1961 and was completed in 1964.

The housing profile is dominated by brick houses on separate stands, in which 72% of the population live. Then there are semi-detached houses in which a further 11% of the inhabitants live. Backyard dwellings – both brick and informal structures are home to a further 11% of the people.

Bonteheuwel’s Freedom Square has been declared a Provincial Heritage Site in recognition of its historical importance. Located in the suburb’s central business district, the square served as a key gathering place during the anti-apartheid struggle. It was regularly used for meetings, organising, and community mobilisation. The surrounding Bonteheuwel Civic Centre, library, staircases, and raised platforms functioned as informal assembly points, allowing activists to address and engage with the community.

Getting around

Golden Arrow buses have a Bonteheuwel route, with stops along Bonteheuwel Avenue. There’s a Cape Town route, an Elsies River route, and a Hanover Park route,

The postcodes for Bonteheuwel are 7764 (streets) and 7763 (boxes)

WEATHER IN BONTEHEUWEL TODAY

Browse businesses and places to visit in Bonteheuwel

Useful Numbers

• Police: 021 695 4258
• Traffic department: Elsies River 021 592 1158
• Fire: Epping Fire Department 021 534 1387
• Water: 021 546 3452 / 0860 103 33089
• Electricity: 0860 103 33089
• Ambulance: 10177
• Post office; 021 694 4712
• Library: 021 444 0140
•  Civic Centre/Multi-purpose centre/community centre:021 444 0516
• Closest hospital: Vanguard Community Health Centre: 021 695 8238
• Pharmacy;
• SPCA: Grassy Park 021 700 4140
• Civic Centre / Bluegum community centre / Community centre / Multi-purpose centre.:021 444 0516
• Kalksteenfontein community centre:021 444 0916

• Schools in Bonteheuwel

  Bonteheuwel secondary school : 021 694 4645
  A. Janari Primary School 021 694 5361

• Rosewood Primary School  087 077 0319
• Arcadia Senior Sekondere Skool 021 694 1736
• Bonteheuwel Sekondere Skool  021 694 4654
• Modderdam Sekondere Skool 021 100 3926
• Protea Primary School 021 694 7799
• Klipfontein Primere Skool 021 370 0161
• Mimosa Primary School 021 694 7808
• Nerina Primary School 021 694 1005
• Arcadia Primary School 021 694 4661
• Bramble Way Primary School  081 732 5081
• Boundary Primary School  084 696 8592
• Cedar Primary School  061 116 9137
• Central Park Primary School 021 694 4659
• Disa Primary School  021 694 2205