Description

This book explores the rich historical background of Mamelodi, a township located east of Pretoria. It begins with the origins of the township in 1945, when it was still known as Vlakfontein. During the apartheid era, starting in the 1950s through the 1960s, many of Mamelodi’s residents were forcibly removed from various white-designated areas and relocated as part of the Group Areas Act of 1950. The book examines the struggles of these African populations as they were segregated in all aspects of life, from social and political spheres to their economic opportunities. It also delves into the impact of key events, including the 1976 educational strike, and continues to analyze the township’s transformation through the democratic era, offering a comprehensive view of its historical and cultural evolution.

About Author

Titus Mashaba, born on October 10, 1961, in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, is the third child of Joseph and Mary Mashaba. He attended Zakhele Lower Primary School and Mamelodi High School. In 1991, he began his career at Makro and pursued higher education, earning a Diploma in Management from UNISA, a Certificate in Labour Law from the University of Johannesburg, and an MBA from Regent Business School. Driven by a deep connection to his roots, Mashaba captures the history of Mamelodi in this work, detailing its origins, the challenges of the apartheid era, and its socio-political evolution into the present day.