Towns and suburbs

Gugulethu

Gugulethu is a residential township in the Cape Flats area of Cape Town. This page provides clear information on its location, development history, surrounding suburbs and transport access.

Gugulethu

Gugulethu, or “Gugs” as the locals call it, is a township in the Cape Flats region of Cape Town, situated about 15 km east of the city centre. It lies between Nyanga and Athlone, south of Thornton and Pinelands, and west of the N2 near Cape Town International Airport. The area forms part of the greater Athlone region and is connected to surrounding suburbs by major roads and public transport routes.

History of Gugulethu

“igugu lethu”

The township was established in the 1960s as a reaction to the overcrowding of Langa which was the only township dedicated to black residents. At the time, black people were not allowed to live within the City of Cape Town. Residents were forcibly removed from townships declared as “coloured” areas. The name comes from “igugu lethu”, which means “our pride” in Xhosa. The name was selected by the apartheid government, which incorrectly spelt it as’Guguletu’.  It was previouslycalled Nyanga-West.

Black Africans were the first group of people to experience forced relocation. The Native (Urban Areas) Act of 1923 provided that all Africans had to live in a location.

Despite the poor living conditions, the population grew to over 27 000 people by 1963. Migrant workers who came to Cape Town looking for opportunities often settled in Gugulethu in hostels. The men were often forced to share single rooms with up to three men. There was no housing provided for their families.

Recently The township has seen several developments. There has been a boom in community tourism, entrepreneurship, and several community, youth, and women’s initiatives. Gugulethu residents and businesses celebrated the 60th anniversary of its founding. The celebration was named “Reclaiming Our Pride”.

There is a lively jazz scene, and Gugulethu has been home to several successful musicians, such as jazz saxophonists Winston Monwabisi Mankunku Ngosi,

Interesting fact

The girls’ and boys’ football teams of Lwazi Primary School were featured in the Oscar-winning movie “Invictus”. starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman (as Nelson Mandela), directed by Clint Eastwood..

The postal codes for Gugulethu are 7750 (Streets) and 7751 (Boxes)

Things to see and do in Gugulethu

  • Maboneng Township Arts Experience in Gugulethu and Langa. Tours where local artists and crafters turn their homes into art galleries. This is an entrepreneurship project
  • Walking tour
  • Gugulethu Seven Memorial. Seven granite structures have cut-out figures with raised arms. These were built to commemorate the deaths of the seven black activists killed by the police on 3 March 1986.
  • The Cape Town Jazz Safari is a tour which highlights musical history and jazz in the area info@coffeebeansroutes.com
  • NY110 Park Outdoor Gym  NY110
  • NY43 Park Outdoor Gym NY43,

Resources

Practical information for the Western Cape, Regulations, permits and helpful tips. See the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide

 

WEATHER IN GUGULETHU TODAY

Browse businesses and places to visit in gugulethu 

   

Useful Numbers

Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities in and around

    • Emergency Services
    • Police: 021 684 2300
    • Fire: 021 480 7700
    • Ambulance:10177

    • Medical

    • Closest hospital Day Hospital – 021 637 1280
    • Pharmacy; Lagunya Pharmacy-021 633 5698
    • KTC Community Health Centre-021 637 1280

    • Municipal & Utilities

    • Water: 0860 103 089
    • Electricity:0860 103 089

    • Transport & Roads

    • Traffic department:021 934 4900

    • Community & Safety

    • SPCA: 021 700 4140 (Grassy Park)
    • NSRI 087 094 9774
    • Local Contacts and Community Resources
    • Elukhanyisweni Recreation Centre:021 444 5358
    • Ikwezi Sport and Recreation Centre:021 444 5356
    •  Community hall:021 444 5356
    • Luyolo Recreation Centre:021 444 5356
    • Indoor sports centre:021 444 5356
    • Stadium recreation centre:021 400 5932
    • Library:021 633 2521
    • Post office;021 633 9179

    • Schools in Gugulethu

    • Siviwe School of Skills Ny82, Gugulethu-021 633 2958
    • Fezeka Secondary School-074 124 4833
    • Intshukumo Secondary School-021 637 1803
    • Siyazingisa Primary School-021 633 5619
    • Litha Primary School-021 638 3492
    • Tembaletu LSEN School-021 637 5902
    • Luzuko Higher Primary School-021 633 3015
    • I. D. Mkize Sen Secondary School-021 633 6459
    • Vuyani Primary School-081 435 2236
    • Sonwabo Primary School-021 638 2449-021 637 8981
    • Lwazi Primary School-021 638 2447
    • Intshinga Primary School-081 558 2383
    • Sokhanyo Primary-021 637 2695
    • Lehlohonolo Primary-021 633 1823
    • Siyazingisa Public Primary School-021 633 5619,
    • Vukukhanye Primary School-021 633 2131
    • Xolani Primary School-Address 02163772566
    • Bonga Lower Primary School-021 637 8295
    • Siviwe School of Skills Ny82, Gugulethu-021 633 2958
    • Fezeka Secondary School-074 124 4833

 

  • Find a comprehensive list of Cape Town Emergency Numbers HERE

 

  • Colourdots is an independent regional information resource for the Western Cape.
    Learn more about the project HERE

 

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