In this two-part photo essay, Zubeida Lowton explores the influence of racial, social and spatial fragmentation in South African cities. Zubeida is a PhD candidate in the Department of Urban Studies at the University of Glasgow. Her doctoral research investigates the everyday experiences of people using public spaces in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The views in this article are those of the author and not attributable to SHLC.
After 26 Years of democracy, there is limited understanding of new forms of fragmentation in South Africa’s post-apartheid cities. But, by understanding socio-spatial fragmentation in our cities, decision-makers can, and should, tailor transformative urban initiatives to make our cities inclusive for all.
Although social engineering of a divided city was outlawed in 1990, a segregated spatial structure, unfortunately, remains in both Johannesburg and Cape Town. The Groups Areas Act (1950) allowed the racial zoning of city centres to be categorised as “white only” areas, which meant non-white groups could be controlled within the city. Shops displayed “non-white shop” signs and benches were designated for “whites” and “non-whites”.
To erase the traumatic memory of apartheid, most of these racial reminders were removed from city centres. However, exploring the city centre streets of Johannesburg and Cape Town, I still found hidden signs and racially segregated benches that tell us it is not possible to socially erase the impact of a spatially divided city.
Walking the city centre streets of Johannesburg
Tributes to Johannesburg’s mining history like outdoor displays and heritage plaques are easy to find walking around the city. The economic success of the city attracted many migrants and Johannesburg became the economic hub of South Africa. But, the decline of the city centre towards the end of apartheid meant many corporate head offices relocated to the northern suburbs. The city centre is now marked by multiple abandoned buildings and quiet streets outside of working hours. There have been attempts to reframe this negative reputation by encouraging people back into the city centre’s public spaces and restore Johannesburg’s image as a ‘Global’ city.
Less dirty and more safe, yes, but better integrated? No
For example, along Fox Street, I found several public spaces, such as the Maboneng Precinct, Gandhi Square and the Mining District, and 1 Fox Street. These public spaces have been redeveloped at various scales to make the city centre less dirty, less grimy, more safe and with better social activities.
Shop, eat, do! But only at the weekends
The Maboneng Precinct is a redeveloped warehouse area stretching across multiple blocks, located south of the city centre, close to historical worker hostels. The area is known for its mixed uses where you can find restaurants, arts and crafts markets, cafes, a cinema, retail stores, offices space and residential apartments. Walking through the streets, I found that it is mainly middle-income groups who are flocking to the precinct, in large part because it is safe and secure to enjoy the arts and shopping. My impression was that Maboneng is still isolated from the surrounding area and is more about catering to middle-income earners than racially isolating certain groups. However, this area is more popular at weekends, while weekdays were much quieter.
Remembering the resistance
Gandhi Square and the Mining District are more formal in nature. Here you can find corporate buildings, higher education institutions and restaurants.
Mahatma Gandhi was a lawyer recruited to work for one of the firms based in Van Der Bijl Park, later renamed Gandhi Square. Gandhi led an early resistance, protesting the pass book legislation, which all non-white residents were required to carry around so they could work and as a form of identification. During the protest a huge number of pass books were burned in Van Der Bijl Park. The redevelopment of the square saw an upgrade to the main bus terminus, surrounding buildings and the inclusion of a statue of Gandhi as a young lawyer. The redevelopment of the square has created an inclusive space in the heart of the city and there are many opportunities for people from various socio-economic backgrounds and races to interact.
The Mining District is surrounded by corporate buildings as the industry played a pivotal role in attracting a mix of mining, financial, education and professional service companies. The Mining District has two parts to it: one area along Fox Street has lots of corporate buildings and the other area along Main Street is home to lots of social activities. The City Sightseeing bus stops twice in this area including walking tours, so it is typical to see lots of tourists here. There is a different dimension to this area that genuinely encourages social mixing through showcasing historical milestones. The outdoor museum is an excellent example it is a free attraction accessible to everyone.
You can sit with us
Walking down 1 Fox Street felt like walking through a private space only accessible to the elite few. This area is cut off from the rest of the city centre because it is hard to access and find. This isolated location does little to attract and integrate different socio-economic groups. 1 Fox Street is a closed redeveloped warehouse with different social spaces like eateries, a beer brewery shops and a bookstore, with indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy all the different food on offer. This area is found close to China Town, which historically housed migrant Chinese workers employed as miners in the city. 1 Fox Street is also next to the notorious John Vorster Square, later renamed the Johannesburg Central police station, which during apartheid was infamous for the unorthodox treatment of detainees.
So, has Johannesburg been able to erase the spatial divide of apartheid? Yes and no. The development of public spaces in Fox Street are disjointed and mostly cater to a specific socio-economic demographic of middle-income earners. While Ghandi Square and the Mining District are the only genuine integrated spaces, these areas are not always full of people
Has Cape Town done any better? In part two, I walk the streets of three public spaces in the city centre, the oldest city centre in South Africa, and investigate what is being done to spatially transform the city following the fall of apartheid