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The Early
Twentieth Century
(page 4) |
| Growth and Control
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Between the two world wars, Cape
Town developed into a modern industrial city but did not grow at the same pace
as Johannesburg. Manufacturing in Cape Town remained within the food, drink,
tobacco, clothing and printing industries. Large increases in the population
and ambitious urban planning led to the development of 'Garden Cities',
townships and a massive land reclamation scheme along the city foreshore (more..)
Overall, however, the city remained locked in an economic
depression between the Wars, especially during the 1920s. The sustained
economic crisis led to deep poverty and a related increase in crime (more..)
Whites were protected from the worst of the economic crisis
through government policies that provided better education to whites,
employment opportunities and support for Afrikaner businesses. By the 1940s
legal backing was given to segregated workplaces and suburbs, to the advantage
of whites and the exclusion of others, especially blacks. Steadily the city
became divided on racial lines (more..)
The first squatter camps developed around the city and poor
inner city areas like District 6 became more crowded. In 1923 the Urban Areas
Act was passed forcing Africans to live in designated locations. A new location
named Langa was opened to replace the
overcrowded Ndabeni township. Langa was designed to provide authorities with
the maximum control over access. Various laws regulated behaviour in the
township and it was ruled by a superintendent.
Cape Town was declared a 'closed city' to control further black
migration. However, during the Second World War migration rules were relaxed.
The failure to provide housing for the large numbers that arrived led to the
development of large squatter areas. A humiliating 'reception centre' was
established at Langa to process newcomers and many blacks were forced to leave
(more..)
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Heritage Sections
· Culture ·
· Environment
·
History
· Society
Personalities ·
Areas
In this period of Cape History:
Overview
Introduction
Mother
City
Division
Growth and
Control
Conclusion
Bibliography &
Contacts
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