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40-488: It lies on the R102 (Van Riebeek Road) about 40 km from Cape Town CBD and 8 km from Cape Town International Airport on the N2 route. Eerste River started off as many different farms and expanded vastly after the 1980s. It is a diverse town; many of its almost 40,000 residents originally immigrated here from elsewhere. Among its beauty is the area called Penhill, hidden from

80-881: A Walter Sisulu University campus, to form the northern border of the Mdantsane Township just outside East London . It then enters East London, passing through the suburbs to the north of the CBD (meeting the N6 ) before rejoining the N2 north-east of the city (near Gonubie ). The R102 separates from the N2 in Port Shepstone on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal , winding through a series of small coastal villages such as Umtentweni (now eMthenteni), Sea Park , Southport , Sunwich Port , Anerley , Melville , Pumula, and Umzumbe , eventually reaching

120-545: A core element in the township's culture. "Boxing is a street sport in Mdantsane..All the world champions started boxing from the streets, in the classrooms of Mdantsane’s school...For the young men boxing is “a field we ploughed with no skills and resources...It’s part of the community culture, and entertainment. It has also given the community of Mdantsane a sense of communal identity.” In April 2016, South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe donated R1 million worth of gym equipment

160-562: A quarrel with his girlfriend, Bulelani Vukwana shot and killed 11 people and injured a further six in a spree killing on February 9, 2002. He later committed suicide . Cecilia Makiwane Hospital is a 1,724-bed multidisciplinary hospital in Mdantsane. It was named after Cecilia Makiwane , the first black registered nurse in South Africa . Along with Frere Hospital and the East London Mental Health Unit, it forms part of

200-418: A southeasterly direction and goes on the outskirts of the metropolitan area through Kuilsrivier , Eerste River and onwards to Somerset West where it merges with the existing N2 . At Mossel Bay it divides to the east again, passing through all the towns between there and George . Near Nature's Valley east of Plettenberg Bay it once again splits off, traversing the various Tsitsikamma gorges such as

240-592: A week. By the end of August 1983, over 1000 people were in jail. The incident is known as the Egerton Bus Boycott Massacre. To commemorate the day, former South African deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe unveiled the upgraded Egerton Bus Boycott Massacre Memorial in Site in memory of the victims of the massacre on 24 September 2013. The events are referred to in the song "Mdantsane - (Mud Coloured Dusty Blood)" on Juluka 's sixth album Work For All . Mdantsane

280-475: A white suburb not very far from Mdantsane, should be zoned as a black area in 1957. However, the white residents of Amalinda, who wanted the area to be retained as a white zone, strongly opposed this recommendation. In the same year, the East London municipality received an instruction from the apartheid South African government to submit an application for a new township for its African residents. On February 20,

320-580: Is a Regional Route in South Africa . It is the route designation for all old sections of the N2 , thus it is a discontinuous road that resumes in areas where a new N2 has been constructed. In the Cape Town area, the R102 starts in the Central Business District as Strand Street and runs through Woodstock , Maitland , Goodwood and Parow before it reaches Bellville . From Bellville, it turns in

360-455: Is divided into eighteen zones which are still expanding, with the newest units known as Unit P and eMbekweni . The zones are named numerically in the chronological order of their establishment. The central market, in N.U.2 (Zone 2) district is called "The Hi-way". It is named after Qumza Highway, which is the main road that runs through Mdantsane(the near high school is Vulamazibuko high school )from East London city centre to an industrial area at

400-614: Is home to the Sisa Dukashe Stadium , a multi-purpose soccer and rugby stadium. Opened in 1973, Sisa Dukashe Stadium has a capacity of 20 000. The stadium has hosted the SuperSport Rugby Challenge and is also an alternative home ground to the Port Elizabeth Premier Soccer League outfit Chippa United. The stadium hosts a number of boxing tournaments and local music events during the year. Mdantsane

440-588: Is regarded as the boxing mecca of South Africa having produced many boxers who have not only claimed South African but also international titles. Mdantsane was thrust into the boxing spotlight by Nkosana "Happyboy" Mgxaji when he defeated Durban fighter Moses Mthembu in a non-title fight at Sisa Dukashe Stadium , NU2, Mdantsane on 2 September 1972. Mgxaji went on to win the SA Junior Lightweight title in 1973. Since then Mdantsane has gone on to produce 50 national and 23 international boxing champions including

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480-489: Is to be distributed to 57 clubs in Mdantsane. Many visual artists of Mdantsane have exhibited their works in East London and abroad. Dr Amitabh Mitra , a visual artist, English poet and an Orthopaedic Surgeon has exhibited his multiple works on life in Mdantsane in solo and group exhibitions in East London and abroad. The N2 freeway skirts Mdantsane to the north leading eastwards to East London and westwards to Qonce (King Williams Town). The R102 regional route which

520-906: The Grootrivier Pass and the Bloukrans Pass (which is currently closed; was closed in November 2007 due to flood damage ) and then rejoining the N2 east of the Bloukrans Bridge . Farther east, in the Eastern Cape , it passes through the towns of Humansdorp and Jeffreys Bay , becoming the Van Stadens Pass and crossing the Gamtoos River and the Van Stadens River on its way to Gqeberha (previously Port Elizabeth), where it passes through

560-635: The M4 at the Reunion Interchange and the M30 near Umlazi . The R102 continues over the Umlaas River and under the N2 again, entering Durban through the industrial areas of Mobeni and Rossburgh. It then passes through Umbilo , which has both residential and industrial sections, before reaching Congella (now KwaKhangela). From there, it enters Durban's Central Business District from the south, passing through it as

600-650: The Nahoon River down to the Buffalo River . Some believe the stream was called Dontsane. Soon after the stream was named, a “white farm” which was at the entrance of Mdantsane [now known as Zone 1] was also named after the stream Dontsane or Umdanzani. The township is part of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape. The Mdantsane township is the second largest township in

640-508: The bantustan of Ciskei in 1966. Ciskei became self-governing in 1972 and then granted nominal independence on 4 December 1981, with Mdantsane becoming one of the homeland's largest townships. To encourage African residents of Duncan Village and East London to relocate to Mdantsane, the apartheid government adopted a number of strategies. The first was to introduce the Regional Decentralisation Programme (RIDP) in

680-560: The 1960s which saw the establishment of clothing, food, furniture and building accessory factories on the border of East London , particularly in Wilsonia and at Fort Jackson in Mdantsane. These industries provided employment opportunities to the Mdantsane residents. To keep these industries operational, the government offered generous industrial subsidies and incentives. By the end of the 1980s, about 30,000 and 7,500 jobs respectively were available in Wilsonia and Fort Jackson. However, low wages,

720-487: The East London Hospital Complex, which serves a population of almost three million people. The language spoken in Mdantsane is Xhosa , however English or Afrikaans is spoken as a second language by the inhabitants. The majority of Mdantsane's residents subsist below the living wage, according to the government's economic classifications. However, there is a growing middle class in Mdantsane. Mdantsane

760-608: The Eastern Cape, by population. In the 1940s, living quarters for Africans East London workers were hard to find. The implementation of the Group Areas Act of 1950 further entrenched racial segregation in East London. Unhygienic conditions, overcrowding and riots became matters of concern in Duncan Village , a township which had been created for the African population in the 1940s. The apartheid government recommended that Amalinda,

800-473: The Fort Jackson railway station. On 30 July, a man was attacked and killed by vigilantes while walking near the Mdantsane stadium. On 3 August, a state of emergency was declared in Mdantsane and a night curfew was imposed. Meetings of more than four people were banned and people were prohibited from walking in groups larger than four. The Ciskei government police and soldiers formed an armed human blockade at

840-483: The Fort Jackson, Mount Ruth and Ergeton train stations to prevent commuters from catching the train on 4 August 1983. The commuters moved a few paces forward. The police drew their guns and the people stopped. Without warning the police fired into the crowd. 11 people lost their lives and 36 were injured. The soldiers prevented people from going into the hospital's casualty ward to find the dead. The Ciskei government intensified its security measures, arresting 700 people in

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880-690: The Minister of the Department of Bantu Administration and Development announced that the entire African population of East London was to be moved to a new site called Mdantsane, which was within the boundaries of the Xhosa native reserve under the administration of the Ciskei Territorial Authority which had been set up in 1961. The first houses were built in late 1963 with removals planned for 1964. However, removals and resettlement began in 1963. Mdantsane

920-492: The Msimbazi River into Kingsburgh at Illovo Beach . In Kingsburgh, it traverses Winklespruit , Warner Beach , and Doonside , then continues through Amanzimtoti (now eManzimtoti) and its northern suburb, Athlone Park . After crossing the uMbokodweni River, it enters the industrial area of Prospecton , slightly diverging from the coastline. The R102 crosses the N2 again, bypasses Isipingo and Reunion, and intersects with

960-520: The N2, will be designated as the R102 when the project is finished. Mdantsane Mdantsane is a South African urban township situated 15 km away from East London and 37 km away from Qonce in the Eastern Cape . It is the second largest township in Eastern Cape and 17th largest in the Top 20 largest townships in South Africa. The name Mdantsane was derived from a stream that ran from

1000-516: The boycott attracted over 80% of the bus commuters. The number of police soon increased as reinforcements were brought in, and they became more brutal. To avoid harassment from the police, the commuters began to use the trains. The railway, which formed Ciskei 's border with the rest of South Africa, was run by the South African Transport Services and located on the outskirts of Mdantsane. The train fares were marginally lower than

1040-471: The bus fares and provided a space for commuters to discuss issues affecting the community. The train fares increased on 1 August 1983 but the commuters continued to use trains. Security forces from the Ciskei government set up roadblocks in Mdantsane, and there were reports of commuters being hauled out of taxis and ordered onto buses. On 22 July 1983, five people were shot and wounded by Ciskei security forces at

1080-483: The city centre before turning north and merging with the N2 at Coega . At King William’s Town (7 km south-east of the town centre; at Zwelitsha ), the R102 splits again for a short section, starting at a junction with the R346 . It heads east-north-east through Phakamisa and Ndevana to Ilitha , where it turns eastwards just before a junction with the N2. It parallels the N2 east-south-east, through Berlin , passing

1120-489: The end, Fort Jackson. Here many informal traders sell their wares on the streets and it is also the location of the main taxi rank . There is also formal trading which is housed in the recently built shopping malls. A pulsating culture in music, arts and poetry continues to thrive in this close-knit township life. Many political stalwarts and veterans also hail from this township, including Thozamile Gqweta, Ntombazana Gertrude Botha, Mlamli Ondala and Bangumzi Sifingo. Mdantsane

1160-425: The former IBF super bantamweight champion Vuyani "The Beast" Bungu , IBF world bantamweight Welcome Ncita , WBO light flyweight champion Masibulele “Hawk” Makepula , former IBF Champion Noni Tenge and Zolani Tete . Mdantsane has not only produced excellent boxers but also award-winning mentors like Balekile Sam and Mzimasi Mnguni. Professor Njabulo Ndebele in his book 'Behind sweaty windows’ describes boxing as

1200-503: The increases were announced. A second mass meeting was held on 12 July in Duncan Village . About 3000 people attended. The CTC responses were rejected and a decision was taken to boycott the CTC buses. On 18 July, the bus boycott began. The commuters initially walked to work in large groups, from Mdantsane across the Ciskei border to East London, a distance of about twenty kilometres. On its second day,

1240-541: The main road. North of Durban, the route continues through Durban North , bypasses KwaMashu and runs between Phoenix and Mount Edgecombe before reaching Verulam . It continues to bypass the King Shaka International Airport to the west and passes through Tongaat (now oThongathi) before heading towards Stanger (now KwaDukuza). Between Tongaat and Stanger, the route passes through the small settlements of Umhlali and Shakaskraal . After Stanger,

Eerste River, Western Cape - Misplaced Pages Continue

1280-604: The rise of trade unions and lack of funding in the early 1990s led to the collapse of these factories. To further create the illusion of Mdantsane as an ideal township for Africans, apartheid government then added social services and facilities such as Rubusana Training College, and the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, and subsidised road and rail transport. On 13 July 1983, the Ciskei Transport Corporation (CTC) introduced an 11% (50 cent) bus fare increase on

1320-474: The route between East London and Mdantsane. To discuss the issue of the bus fare increment, a meeting with 1000 people was held in a church hall in Duncan Village on 10 July 1983. A committee of ten workers known as the "Committee of Ten" was elected to represent the community's interests to the CTC. The Committee of Ten tried to meet CTC management on Monday 11 July. The CTC refused on the grounds that they had already talked to community leaders two months before

1360-483: The route heads through Darnall , Mandini and Gingindlovu (now KwaGingindlovu), passes close to Mtunzini , before heading to Empangeni . About 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north of Empangeni, the route merges with the N2. There are plans to realign the N2 national route from the city of Mthatha to the town of Port Shepstone , on a new route known as the Wild Coast Toll Route or Wild Coast Highway . It

1400-434: The suburb has close to 40,000 residents, but other estimates are closer to 52,000 when Kleinvlei, Palm Park and Penhill are included to the municipality - which are all still considered suburbs of Eerste River by locals and many visitors alike. Delft, Blackheath, Wesbank and Brentwood Park used to be a part of the town, but as the towns grew, all were given their own municipalities. R102 (South Africa) The R102

1440-705: The town and filled with nature. Schools in Eerste River include the Afrikaans-medium Eersterivier Secondary School . Other schools in the area include Forest Heights Primary School, Palm Park Primary School, Stratford Primary School, Spurwing Primary School, Tuscany Glen Primary School, Melton Primary School, Helderkruin Primary School, Tuscany High School, Forest Heights High School, and in the surrounding areas Kleinvlei High School and Malibu High School. Population statistics indicate that

1480-528: The town of Hibberdene . From there, it reconnects briefly with the N2, heading inland through the Mnamfu area. The route then swings back towards the coast, passing through Pennington , Park Rynie , and Scottburgh before crossing the Mahlongwa River and entering the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality . Continuing, it passes through Clansthal, Umkomaas (now eMkhomazi), Ilfracombe , and Umgababa , crossing

1520-455: Was formally established in 1963 on a farm called “ Umdanzani” and the first 300 residents occupied the new houses. The original inhabitants were people who were forcibly removed from what was known as East Bank in East London . In 1964, approximately 112 000 people from Duncan Village were forcibly moved to the outskirts of Mdantsane township. Mdantsane was recognised as a homeland town under

1560-621: Was initially scheduled for completion in 2024 and the N2 will take over the entire section of the current R61 route between the two cities (with realignment between Lusikisiki and the Mtamvuna River crossing), and turning that route into two lanes in each direction, providing a shorter and faster route through the Wild Coast . So, as the N2 will be realigned, the old N2 route from Mthatha to Port Shepstone, passing through KwaBhaca , Kokstad and Harding , just like most other old sections of

1600-578: Was the home of several figures from the anti-Apartheid struggle, including Monde Mkunqwana who was imprisoned in 1963 for a supposed attempted assassination against Transkei leader Kaiser Matanzima ; the lawyer Louis Mtshizana; ANC activist Matta Don Molteno who was banned by the Apartheid government in 1976; and Mzimkulu "Dabana" Gwentshe of the National African Youth Organisation (NAYO) who was imprisoned on Robben Island in 1964. After

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