Segregation and apartheid state-funding schemes: the establishment of the urban African township of Daveyton in the East Rand, South Africa, 1950-1990

Abstract

Gold mining on the Witwatersrand created financial prosperity for South Africa since the late 19th century. The growth of the mining sector brought a large population of African men from the rural areas in southern Africa into the Witwatersrand, particularly during the 1940s to the East Rand. With an increasing African urban population, the local authorities had to find funding strategies to house the population. In Benoni, the local authorities used loans from the central government in the first phase of Daveyton’s development but later actively sought alternative funding schemes such as funds from the local beer hall. During the late 1960s, township funding became linked with the advocation of the homelands. This meant that funds which were previously used to fund townships were now shifted to develop the homelands. Daveyton was not immune from this shift. Therefore, strategies had to be envisioned regarding where funds would come from to continue the development of Daveyton. To halt more African urbanisation, the apartheid government pursued and enforced influx control laws with more vigour to control Africans' freedom of movement and occupational choice. Although, land occupation and squatter camps such as Apex squatter camp continued to proliferate in the East Rand. From the onset, there was a pressing need for both the local and the central government to eradicate what was deemed as unsanitary and uncontrolled areas. The establishment of state-regulated townships such as Daveyton were the most effective solution. To establish the township, the government set up the Mentz commission to investigate how townships could be established and offer recommendations. The commission’s recommendations were used as the blueprint for township establishment in many areas of the country. This includes the establishment of Daveyton as a so-called “modern model” township with ethnic zoning. On the East Rand, the Benoni authorities relied heavily on central government-sanctioned loans and state legislation to ease the financial burden of establishing Daveyton. To ensure that funding was available, the Native Services Levy Fund, enacted in 1952, proved pivotal in funding the basic amenities in the township such as the sewerage scheme, electrification, and water reticulation amongst other amenities. To make up for the funds being directed to the homelands, beer halls became a lucrative form of income for local municipalities and the central government. In Daveyton, the Town Council of Benoni supported the beer hall as a revenue generator and invested funds to ensure it remained operational. However, even with profits from the beer halls, schooling and the transport system remained troublesome for both the authorities and the township residents. The Town Council of iv Benoni received assistance from the Benoni Rotary Club in establishing the first African high school in the township. Although, for transportation, the township was only served by one railway line, which was not enough for the expanding population, and authorities were reluctant to allow for the expansion of the taxi industry. During the 1980s the government sought to continue financing the development of Daveyton and simultaneously continue funding the homelands. Unemployment in the homelands resulted in a constant flow of jobseekers to the urban centres, and squatting rose intensely in Daveyton. The rising housing shortages in the township, forced the government to free itself of its responsibility of being the township developer and landlord. They distanced itself from the further development of Daveyton and pave the way for private entrepreneurs by selling its beer outlets and invited private enterprises to construct housing for Africans.