- Province: Western Cape
- Coordinates: 33°59′09″S 18°30′01″E
- Area:1.40 km2
- Municipality; City of Cape Town
Lansdowne is located about 10km south of the Cape Town city centre. It is adjacent to Rondebosch East, Crawford, Wetton, Claremont, Kenwyn and Athlone. It is served by the Cape Flats railway line. The suburb lies on relatively flat terrain, with residential streets interspersed with small parks and community spaces. Lansdowne is well connected via Main Road and the nearby M5, providing easy access to central Cape Town and the Southern Suburbs. It features a mix of homes from the early 20th century and modern developments, serving a diverse, primarily working- and middle-class population. Local amenities include schools, small shops, and sports facilities, making it a practical suburb for families and commuters. The area experiences a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, typical of Cape Town.
History of Lansdowne
Lansdowne takes its name from Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, the 5th Marquess of Lansdowne, who served as British Secretary of State for War at the beginning of the 20th century. He had no known connection with Cape Town and never visited the suburb. The name was adopted when land on the Cape Flats was being subdivided and developed around the time of the Anglo-Boer War, reflecting the practice of giving new developments names associated with prominent British figures.
One of the suburb’s notable landmarks is the railway bridge on Lansdowne Road, which carries the road over the Cape Flats railway line. The height required to allow trains to pass beneath the bridge resulted in a substantial approach and retaining structure, changing the appearance of some of the older properties along the original road.
Lansdowne also developed an industrial character, particularly around Castor Road, where workshops and small businesses have become associated with Cape Town’s custom-car culture. The area is known for enthusiasts working on older and modified cars, including classic Ford Escorts and BMWs.
The Masjidul-Quds on the border of Lansdowne and Gatesville is another prominent landmark. The large mosque and its dome and minarets are visible from a wide area of the southern suburbs and form a familiar part of the local landscape.
During the apartheid era, Lansdowne was designated as a white residential area. Following the end of apartheid, the suburb became more diverse and is now home to communities of different backgrounds and faiths. Churches, mosques, schools, sporting facilities and community organisations form part of everyday life in the area.
Part of Lansdowne Road was later renamed Imam Haron Road, commemorating Imam Abdullah Haron, the Cape Muslim cleric and anti-apartheid activist who died in detention in 1969.
Read more about the story of the Cape Flats
The postcodes are 7780 (Streets) and 7779 (Boxes)
Transport
Lansdowne is served by Metrorail, 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
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: 021 700 9045
- Fire: 021 444 0438
- Ambulance: 10177
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Medical
- Closest hospital;Hanover Park Community Health Centre-021 691 9744
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Municipal & Utilities
- Water: 0860 103 089
- Electricity:0860 103 089
- Traffic Department: Hillstar Traffic Department-0860 103 089
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Transport & Roads
- Road Emergencies / SANRAL: 0800 204 204
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Community & Safety
- Childline-116
- 24 hour Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape: 0861 555 777.
- NSRI 087 094 9774
- SPCA: Grassy Park 021 700 4140
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Local Contacts and Community Resources
- Post office;0860 103 089
- Civic centre:021 444 0410
- Range Road Community Hall: 021 444 0410
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Schools in Lansdowne
- Sunlands Primary School-021 797 8010
- Windsor Preparatory School-021 696 2800
- Bel Porto School-021 696 4134
- Oaklands High School-021 761 1701
- Mecca Plan-021 696 3655
- 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; Crawford; Eerste Rivier; Epping; Grassy park; Hanover Park; Khayalitsha; Kuils River; Langa; Lotus river; Macassar; Mannenberg; Mitchells Plain; Nyanga; Ottery;and Philippi
- Colourdots is an independent regional information resource for the Western Cape.
Learn more about the project HERE
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