The word township refers to any place where a group of people live together (like a city or a village).

In South Africa, ‘township’ has a very different meaning. During Apartheid, the government forced non-white residents out of the city centers. Townships were built outside of the cities. This allowed the government to keep the non-white residents contained, but close enough to commute to work.

South Africa’s townships tend to be overcrowded. Many people living in townships once lacked basic services like running water and electricity. Things have improved since the end of Apartheid, but poor living conditions and poverty still remain.

© ProjectExplorer.org, 2010
Text by John Stokvis.
Image by Meredith Claire.