- Province: Western Cape
- Coordinates: 33.9447° S, 18.5323° E
- Area 3.09 km2
- Municipality: City Of Cape Town
Langa is situated in the Cape Town metropolitan area. The suburb lies along the N2, approximately 15 km east of Cape Town’s city centre. It is located near neighbouring areas such as Athlone, Bonteheuwel, and Pinelands.
History of Langa
The name means “sun” in Xhosa and is named after the Xhosa chief Langalibalele Dube, 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 commemorates this folk hero. It was developed in 1898 in an area known as “Langalibalele’s Location.” The suburb was built in stages, with initial structures lacking infrastructure; however, it was completed in 1927. The township, often referred to as “Kwa-Langa,” meaning “place of Langa,” is situated adjacent to Pinelands. During the apartheid era, Langa became an important centre of political resistance and community activism.
Langa 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
Transport
Langa is served by Metrorail MyCiTi Bus, Golden Arrow Bus Services, and minibus taxis. See linked pages for details. Other options for getting around the Western Cape.
Resources
Practical information for the Western Cape, Regulations, permits and helpful tips. See the Colourdots coastal and nature use guide
Things to see and do in Langa
- King Langalibalele Drive is one of the busiest streets in the suburb. 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
- Video
Useful Numbers
Residents and visitors can find important local contact numbers below, including police, medical services, utilities, and community facilities
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Emergency Services
- Police: 021-6958000, 021-6958006
- Fire: Epping021 534 1387
- Ambulance: 10177
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Medical
- Clinic;021 694 1740
- Community Health Centre· Pharmacy-021 694 1740
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Municipal & Utilities
- Water and electricity: 0860 103 089
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Transport & Roads
- Traffic department: Gugulethu 021-6958000, 021-6958006
- Road Emergencies / SANRAL: 0800 204 204
- Childline-116
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Community & Safety
- 24 hour Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape: 0861 555 777.
- SPCA: Cape Of Good Hope- 021 700 4140
- NSRI 087 094 9774
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Local Contacts and Community Resources in Langa
- Museum; Heritage / Dompas Museum-021 694 8320
- Tourism;021 695 5098
- Post office;021 694 6281
- 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
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Schools in Langa
- High School-021 694 1874
- Thembani Primary School-021 694 1829
- Leap School -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
- Find a comprehensive list of Cape Town Emergency numbers HERE
- The City of Cape Town Public Emergency Communication Centre is available 24/7 For all life or property-threatening emergencies. Call 021 480 7700 from any phone or 107 from a landline or report online at https://bit.ly/3o4Ji3K
Other Cape Flats towns and suburbs include: Athlone; Atlantis; Belhar; Blue Downs; Bonteheuwel Crawford; Crossroads; Delft; Eerste Rivier; Epping; Grassy park; Hanover Park; Khayalitsha; Kuils River; Lansdowne; Lotus river; Macassar; Mannenberg; Mitchells Plain; Nyanga; Ottery; Philippi and Thornton
- Colourdots is an independent regional information resource for the Western Cape.
Learn more about the project HERE
