Nyanga, Cape Town

The neighborhood was established in 1946 and proclaimed a township in the same year for migrant labour predominantly from the Eastern Cape. It was initially established as a spillover once the neighborhood of Langa was fully occupied.[5]

Residents of Nyanga were active in joining a national call to protest against the apartheid laws passed in 1960. Later they were active in the 1976 student uprisings against the use of Afrikaans as first language in schools.[6] Nyanga became notorious for its black on black faction fighting that was allegedly perpetrated by police in the early eighties. The local authorities (izibonda) grouped themselves according to their background and used that as their criteria when allocating land.

These cultural differences were allegedly used by the police to stir up violence, and elements of the community were infiltrated by the apartheid regime. This led to emergence of the notoriously violent group called "the witdoeke" (the white scarfs). As a result of these fights Tambo square was formed.[7]

Nyanga is made up by nine townships (Lusaka, KTC, Old Location, Maumau, Zwelitsha, Maholweni "Hostels", Black City, White City, Barcelona, Kanana and Europe).

Nyanga is one of the world's most dangerous areas, and had the highest number of murders (262) in South Africa during 2012.[8]

• Goldstone Commission