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.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
It's a good place to be with good people and a sense of community ,you have to be there to experience it.
Zizi (Gugulethu)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Liziwe's Guest House
Experience township life, a warm welcome and a relaxed atmosphere at Liziwe's Guest House. The guest rooms are decorated with a tasteful touch of...
Things to do in the area
Feast & Party at Teez Lounge
For the most fun in Cape Town, grab a bunch of friends and head out to Teez Lounge in Gugulethu for a legendary experience!Teez Lounge is a butch...
Walking Tour of Gugulethu
Join Liziwe for a forty minute walk through the shanties of Gugulethu to experience the everday life of Gugulethu. You will get to interact with ...
Visit the Amy Biehl Memorial
The Amy Biehl foundation was created in remembrance of American exchange student Amy Biel who was a gifted student at the University of the Weste...
Amy Biehl Memorial Township Tours
The Amy Biehl Memorial Township Tours offer visitors the opportunity to explore the cultural township of Gugulethu and to support the community t...
Maboneng Township Arts Experience
The Maboneng Township Arts Experience is a fascinating initiative that is aimed at showcasing local artists and crafters to the world. This has b...
Noteworthy attractions
Table Mountain
Since the first person laid eyes on Table Mountain, it has exerted its powerful and charismatic pull, enchanting and drawing any and all who fall...
Teez Lounge
Teez Lounge is Guguletus most popular hang-out spot. Every Saturday and Sunday this is where people spend their afternoons, eating meat, chatting...
Cape Town Township Tour
This is a full day visit to the poverty stricken "Townships" of Cape Town. Experience Township life, visit schools and be entertained by the scho...
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 enter...
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...
Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve
Zeekoevlei is a huge freshwater lake in the middle of the Cape Flats. With the rather densely populated suburbs of Grassy Park, Lotus River and P...
Manyanani Peace Park
The Peace Park, known as the Manyanani Peace Park, which is Xhosa for 'to bring people together', lies in Khayelitsha. The development of the pea...
False Bay Ecology Park
False Bay Ecology Park, FBEP for short, lies in Cape Town and is 1200 hectares that includes Rondevlei Nature Reserve and Zeekoevlei Nature Reser...
Cape Care Route
The Cape Care Route, situated in and around Cape Town, offers those who take it a chance to experience the 'other' side of Cape Town, and the cre...
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