In the 1950’s under the Native Laws Amendment Act, the Nationalist Party government sought to begin entrenching their apartheid policies and an end to the multiracial Sophiatown was of symbolic importance for the party. Forced removals began in 1955 and would last for the next seven years as residents resisted being removed from their homes. The majority of black people were moved to Meadowlands, but some would move to other areas such as Orlando, Dube, Pimville and in the eastern townships like Alexandra. Coloureds were moved to areas like Eldorado Park, Westbury, Noordgesig, etc.., while Indians were moved to Lenasia. The successful removals of Sophiatown residents culminated in a new area for white municipal workers and it was christened Triomf, Afrikaans for triumph, in celebration of Sophiatown’s destruction. The nerve!
(Read more from yours truly by clicking on the link below)
http://www.joburgpost.com/articles/14788
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