Sophiatown, also known as "Kofifi," was a vibrant, multicultural neighborhood located in Johannesburg, South Africa. In 1955, it was the site of a major event in South Africa's history: the forced removal of its residents, who were predominantly black, to segregated townships on the outskirts of the city.
Prior to the forced removal, Sophiatown was a hub of cultural and political activity. It was home to a diverse community of people, including artists, intellectuals, and activists who were fighting against the oppressive system of apartheid. The neighborhood was known for its lively jazz scene, and it was a frequent gathering place for political meetings and demonstrations.
However, the government saw Sophiatown as a threat to their system of racial segregation and sought to "whiten" the area by forcibly removing its black residents. In 1955, the government passed the Group Areas Act, which allowed for the forced removal of people from designated areas based on their race.
The forced removal of the residents of Sophiatown was met with fierce resistance from the community. Many resisted by refusing to leave their homes, and there were violent clashes between police and protesters. Despite the resistance, the government ultimately succeeded in removing the majority of the residents of Sophiatown to the townships of Meadowlands and Moroka.
The forced removal of the residents of Sophiatown had a devastating impact on the community. Many lost their homes and businesses, and the vibrant culture of the neighborhood was destroyed. The residents of Sophiatown were separated from their families and communities, and the forced relocation had a lasting impact on the psychological well-being of those affected.
The forced removal of the residents of Sophiatown was a tragic event in South Africa's history, and it was just one example of the devastating effects of the apartheid system. The legacy of Sophiatown lives on in the memories of those who experienced the forced removal and in the cultural contributions of those who called it home.
Story of cities #19: Johannesburg's apartheid purge of vibrant Sophiatown
After the removals had been carried out, those being resettled were made to report to a Native Resettlement Board in their new location. What was the most important event in Sophiatown? Retrieved 3 March 2012. Thus, they built shacks, rooms and huts in their backyards, for letting. The removal of people and the destruction of Sophiatown took place from 1955 to 1960. As population in the freehold townships swelled, overcrowding and rack renting became the order of the day. It therefore became a diverse town, where black, mixed-race, Asian, and white people lived together. Sophiatown was one of the oldest black areas in Johannesburg and its destruction represents some of the excesses of South Africa under apartheid.
Sophiatown timeline 1899
The federal government responds to this act of defiance by the JCC by creating the Native Resettlement Board, an administrative body, which usurps the power of the JCC. St Cyprian's was the largest primary school in Sophiatown. Even as the residents were evicted, bulldozers stood by to destroy their homes. Behind the commanders, an army of 2,000 police carried rifles and batons, ready to enforce the eviction and clear Sophiatown of its black residents. However, despite its rich culture, it was destroyed to keep ethnic groups from mixing with blacks.
What happened in Sophiatown during apartheid?
All blacks living in so-called white areas had to be resettled in areas set aside for black occupation. Homes were typically small and very cramped. It was bought by Hermann Tobiansky, who named it after his wife, Sophia. Many South Africans had freehold rights, and had bought properties in the suburb before the Natives Land Act of 1913. This attempt to restore law and order attracted widespread support prior to a series of bloody clashes with the migrant criminal society from the poorer enclave of Newclare. The people living in the town were free to own land and build their homes to match their tastes and finances. However, on February 9, 1955, 2000 policemen showed up with rifles, clubs, guns and forced the black families of Sophiatown to Meadowlands, Soweto.
