Langa, literally translated, means The Sun. And indeed, this Cape Town township radiates a warm ray of hope. Many leading South Africans hail from here, it is a pace-setter in environmental regeneration and it sure knows how to get down and party.
The Story of Langa
Langa takes its name from Hlubi Chief Langalibalele, The Sun, imprisoned on Robben Island after rebelling against the British authorities in Natal during the 19th century. Founded in 1927 on a rubbish dump on the periphery of Cape Town, it was the first South African township established under the segregationist Native (Urban Areas) Act of 1923.
Regardless of its humble beginnings, Langa’s children have big dreams as the numerous rags to riches tales attest. Many of the heroes of the liberation struggle were born here; as was Brenda Fassie, South Africa’s late great pop diva. And this is the home of Amampondo, the traditional musical group that has taken the world by storm.
‘Sometimes horns or piano join in, tilting the tunes toward ebullient Cape Town jazz; others sound like Steve Reich working with African choruses,’ commented the New York Times on Amampondo. ‘The complex constructions are polished in the studio yet sung with unmistakable fervour, piling up riffs and voices for music that’s both mesmerizing and jubilant.’
The Environmental Movement
The people of Langa take great pride in their township, often being dubbed the
Environmental Movement. A passion that has won many accolades.
Starting with the rubbish dump that was the township’s foundation, the residents have systematically cleaned up their surroundings. At the heart of this initiative is the Tsoga Environmental Centre.
‘It takes great effort and determination to motivate environmental issues in a community that faces a whole range of overwhelming challenges on a daily basis,’ says Sonwabo Ndandani of the Tsoga Environmental Centre. ‘That is why we focus so much on environmental education. By showing the link between a better life and a healthy environment we are able to win the residents over.’
H
ow Green is your Township
The Tsoga Environmental Centre vigorously encourages the recycling of paper, cardboard, tins, glass and certain types of plastic. And greening projects, concentrating primarily on the planting of trees and vegetable gardens, has improved the appearance of Langa.
Artists, too, have been inspired; using found objects in their beautiful works. With such enthusiasm it is not surprising that Langa is on the EcoAfrica Environmental Consultancy’s tourism route, which consists of environmentally friendly destinations in the southern African region.
Wanna Dance
Beautifying Langa is not the only thing making this place tick. Here there is no shortage of fun, and the dance floors are hot, hot, hot!
There are troupes of note all over the township specialising in original South African dances such as traditional Xhosa dance; gumboot, which was made popular by miners; and the Johannesburg-adopted Sophiatown dance.
So why not learn a few new moves of your own while on a township tour of Langa?
Festival Fever
Be sure to visit Langa during September for the Xhosa Festival, which showcases Xhosa culture through clothes, dance, storytelling, poetry, music, art and indigenous games. Then head for a food stall and order the local delicacy, a roasted sheep head known as a Smiley.
While you enjoy your meal, make friends with the people of this warm-hearted community. You, too, will then appreciate why Langa is known as ‘The Sun of all Townships’.
Images © Cape Caper Tours CC
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