• Province: Western Cape
• Coordinates: 33°59′S “18°35′E
• Area: 3.09 km2
• Municipality; City of Cape Town

Nyanga is situated in the southern part of Cape Town, bordered by the townships of Langa to the northwest and Philippi East to the southeast. It lies near the Black River and is part of the Cape Town metropolitan area. The township is approximately 12 km from Cape Town city centre.

History of Nyanga

Nyanga is Xhosa for “moon” and is one of the oldest black townships in Cape Town. It was officially proclaimed as a township in 1946 to accommodate black residents displaced by the migrant labour system. Langa, the nearby township, had become overcrowded, and a new space was required for settlement.

In 1948, black migrants were forced to settle in Nyanga when Athlone was declared a coloured area, resulting in the removal of black residents. Initially, migrant workers were mostly men earning wages to pay hut taxes imposed by the government.

In 1948, the first 210 houses, later called the Old Location, were built. Each house had four rooms, a small garden, water, and electricity, but the walls were unfinished, and there were no floors. Weekly rent was 7s 6d, compared with about 6d for a squatter shack. By 1953, a second section with 350 dual-occupancy units was completed, housing 700 families. Residents of the Old Location nicknamed this area “Mau-Mau.”

Today, Nyanga is largely made up of informal shacks and faces challenges with poverty and safety. Despite this, it retains a strong township atmosphere and is known for its energy and vibrant community life. The Golden Arrow bus services Nyanga

The postcode for Nyanga is 7750 

Transport

Nyanga 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

• WEATHER IN NYANGA TODAY

• Browse businesses and places to visit in nyanga

Useful Numbers

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

• Emergency Service

• Police: 021 380 3304
• Fire: Gugulethu Fire Station-021 480 7700
• Ambulance: 10177

• Medical

• Closest hospital;KTC Gugulethu Community Health Centre-021 637 1280
• Pharmacy;Clicks Pharmacy – Gugulethu Square-021 638 3192

• Municipal & Utilities

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

• Transport & Roads

• Traffic department: Gugulethu Traffic Department-021 934 4900
• Road Emergencies / SANRAL: 0800 204 204

• Community & Safety

• 24 hour Poisons Information Helpline of the Western Cape:  0861 555 777.
• NSRI 087 094 9774
• SPCA: Cape of Good Hope SPCA-021 700 4140
• Childline-116

• Local Contacts and Community Resources 

• Home affairs: 021 380 5137 / 021 380 5140
• Crossroads community hall: 021 444 5356
• Zolani recreation centre: 021 444 5356
• KTC Community hall:021 444 5356
• Millers Camp community venue: 021 444 5356
• Library:021 400 6013
• Post office; Gugulethu – 021 633 9171

• Schools in Nyanga

• Mkhanyiseli Public Primary School-021 386 3454
• Linge Primary School-021 385 0063
• Hlengisa Primary School-021 386 1325
• John Pama- 021 386 3343
• Oscar Mpetha High School-021 386-3498
• LIWA PRIMARY SCHOOL- 0213865336
• Nomlinganiselo Primary-021 385 0752
• Stormont Madubela Primary School- 0213853661
• St Mary’s Primary School-081 280 8965
• Sithembele Matiso Secondary School-072 500 0630
• Andile Primary School-hone 0217035461
• Hlengisa Junior Secondary School-021 386 1325

• 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; Lansdowne; Lotus river; Macassar; Mannenberg; Mitchells Plain; Ottery;and Philippi