Some forty percent of households in South Africa (4,6 million) are living in Townships1. Overall half of all metropolitan households are living in Townships (2,7 million). Since South Africa’s democratic elections of 1994, conditions in urban townships have not substantially improved. Incomes of households in Townships have in real terms remained static. Moreover more households in Townships live in informal settlements and lack full access to municipal services than in 1996. It is critical that Government focuses its attention on integrating and addressing the needs of these households within South Africa’s towns and cities. To do this, it is essential to position Townships centrally in urban policy debates and priority-setting processes.

The Township Transformation Timeline provides an overview of the history of the evolution of Townships since 1900 and the lessons that can be learnt for the future. The Timeline sets out to provide a better understanding of Townships and how they can be transformed and integrated into South Africa’s urban areas today.

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