Bekkersdal

Bekkersdal

Mounted police in Bekkersdal, ahead of the 2014 election
Bekkersdal

 Bekkersdal shown within Gauteng

Coordinates: 26°16′S 27°42′E / 26.267°S 27.700°E / -26.267; 27.700Coordinates: 26°16′S 27°42′E / 26.267°S 27.700°E / -26.267; 27.700
Country South Africa
Province Gauteng
District West Rand
Municipality Westonaria
Area[1]
 • Total 27.90 km2 (10.77 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 47,213
 • Density 1,700/km2 (4,400/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)[1]
 • Black African 98.2%
 • Coloured 0.4%
 • Indian/Asian 0.2%
 • White 0.1%
 • Other 1.1%
First languages (2011)[1]
 • Xhosa 30.5%
 • Sotho 19.3%
 • Tswana 16.0%
 • Tsonga 13.9%
 • Other 20.3%
Postal code (street) 1779
PO box 1772

Bekkersdal is a township situated 7 km east of Westonaria and 14 km south of Randfontein in the Gauteng province. It was established in 1945,[2] to house Africans who worked in town and at the surrounding gold mines. In 1983 the township was granted municipal status. The township was the site of violent protests ahead of the general elections on 7 May 2014. [3][4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Main Place Bekkersdal". Census 2011.
  2. ↑ "History of Council". Westonaria Local Municipality. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  3. ↑ "Bekkersdal votes under heavy police presence". News 24. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "Violence in Bekkersdal on eve of election". News 24. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
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