GUGULETHU, Cape Flats, Cape Town

Western Cape Destinations

Gugulethu, Cape Flats

The energetic community of Gugs, better known as Gugulethu, lies virtually on top of Cape Town’s International airport, about 20 kilometres outside of Cape Town - one of the oldest black townships in South Africa and arguably one of the fastest developing. Gugulethu has been described as a combination of vibrant life, poverty, disease and violence and has its roots in the migrant labour system of the apartheid era, when the number of migrant workers from the Transkei became too great for the township of Langa to contain.

Originally called Nyanga West in 1958, people were allocated rooms in hostels designed in zones, where up to three men had to share a tiny room, and poverty and overcrowding were a characteristic, one that has changed very little since the end of apartheid. However, today Gugs is a combination of what remains of the former hostels, tin shacks, which many people built for themselves to create privacy, and brick and mortar houses, owned by the wealthier in Gugulethu. It also has running water and electricity.

There is a lively sense of community, even though people share toilets and facilities, and restaurants and Bed & Breakfasts are indicative of the strong influence of tourism. Gugs was the first to have an information technology centre, which provides top class training in multimedia and youth development. There are also sport fields, community centres and schools but the best way to experience Gugulethu is to go and see for yourself, on an arranged township tour.

Featured Attractions in (or near) Gugulethu

Gugulethu Seven Memorial

Built to commemorate the death of seven young black activists from the Cape township Gugulethu (meaning our pride) on 3 March 1986, the Gugulethu Seven Memorial consists of seven solid and powerful granite statue-like constructions, sculpted by the South African artists Donovan Ward and ... more information

Liziwe's Guest House

Liziwe Ngcokoto is the owner of Liziwe's Guest House. Before the establishment of the house she bought the plot, lived in a shack on the plot for five years in Gugulethu and then decided to build a house. Together with her husband, they worked towards building their home, one brick at a time ... more information

Mzoli's Place in Gugulethu

Mzolis is Guguletus most popular hang-out spot. Every Saturday and Sunday this is where people spend their afternoons, eating meat, chatting and just lounging around. At Mzoli's, seating is outside where you can get a view of everyone passing by. This way you get to interact with people while enjoying your meal. more information

Rondevlei Nature Reserve

One of the country’s oldest ornithological field stations, has some easy walks and fantastic bird hides that offers the bird lover hours of entertainment. Strandfontein’s Waste Water Treatment Works is yet another example of a significant wetland, supporting, for example, a greater bird life than St Lucia’s Estuary.

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Things To Do in Gugulethu

Walking Tour of Gugulethu

Where: Gugulethu
How much (per person): On Request

Join Liziwe for a forty minute walk through the shanties of Gugulethu to experience the everday life of Gugulethu. You will get to interact ... more information

Feast & Party at Mzoli's Place

Where: Gugulethu
How much (per person): R1 to R100

For the most fun in Cape Town, grab a bunch of friends and head out to Mzoli's Place in Gugulethu for a legendary experience! Mzoli's Pla ... more information

On Holiday in Gugulethu

• Gugulethu Accommodation
• Gugulethu Guest Houses
• Cape Flats Accommodation
• Cape Flats Guest Houses
• Cape Town Accommodation
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Visiting Gugulethu?
Also see Things To Do in Cape Flats or check out Things To Do in Cape Town and Western Cape to view activities by category, including watersports, sightseeing activities, arts & crafts and many, many more.

Gugulethu

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