Where is the oldest township in South Africa?
(Clue: It must be close by as we could go there on an outing during a school day. It is in fact right on our doorstep – on the other side of Jan Smuts drive).
Where is the oldest township in South Africa?
Clue: It must be close by as we could go there on an outing during a school day. It is in fact right on our doorstep – on the other side of Jan Smuts drive. Langa.
One of the stated goals of the History curriculum is to develop empathy, while in Tourism the curriculum investigates Culture and Heritage and the role it plays in promoting travel. It was for this reason that these two Grade 11 classes combined on Tuesday 28 March and ‘took to the streets’ for a walking tour of Langa. Of the 13 pupils seated in the school bus, only three of them admitted to ever going into our neighbouring suburb – quite strange when you think that most of them have been at Cannons Creek for their whole school career.
The early years of Apartheid, the application of the laws and acts of resistance form the basis of the SA History component of Grade 11. The pupils visited the Pass Museum, which documents the history of the unjust restriction of movement and the migrant labour system. The community turned the old Pass Court into a museum as an act of healing and reconciliation.
Our tour started at iKhaya le Langa – a community programme aiming to implement sustainable development principles and brand the oldest part of Langa as the ‘Langa Quarter’. We also visited Guga S’Thebe Cultural Centre and saw how art, recyclable material and ceramics are generating an income for the community as well as keeping children off the streets. We also enjoyed the experience of a joint djembe drumming session!
In answer to the question: What did I learn on the outing?
“I learned what a smiley is (a traditional South African dish featuring sheep’s head as the key ingredient.)”
“Never listen to bad press and what is believed and said about a certain place before visiting it.”
“Many people in Langa use art and crafts (such as making paintings, sculptures, and clothes) as an outlet to make money and show their culture creatively.”
This year Langa celebrates 100 years of heritage.
Themba Bavuma, Hamilton Naki, Thami and Lungile Tsolokile, Brenda Fassie, Zenani Kraai and Luthando Jonas are all famous South African ‘products’ of Langa.
Have you visited this part of our South African heritage? If you are interested in taking to the streets for yourself then we would like to recommend Lizo ‘Mc’ Mogqobozi from ProTeam SA.
Written by Tourism Teacher, Mrs Wendy Joubert. Read more about Academics at Cannons, here.
