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There are plenty of socio-economic ills in Alexandra, but there is also an indefatigable spirit and a deep camaraderie in its people.
FROM the affluent suburb of Sandton going east, the landscape changes radically: dozens of shacks, formal houses, pedestrians walking and taxis roaring up and down the streets create a rather lively atmosphere. Welcome to Alexandra township.
 A street hairdresser attends to a customerAlex, as the township is fondly known, is characterised by dire poverty, and high rates of crime and unemployment. But the residents make do with what’s available, instead of moaning about their problems
The notion of “vuk’ uzenzele”, a Zulu phrase loosely translated as “do it for yourself”, is well practised in Alex. A walk down any crowded street will reveal the energy and the hope that helps surpass all the social ills.
Many residents, especially the women, make a living out of informal street trading; the most common items sold are vegetables and fruits. Unemployed youth often resort to running car wash businesses for a quick buck; yet some are trying to carve a name for themselves in the hope of making it big in Joburg.
One such enterprising young person is 28-year-old Nathi Nkosi, a deejay at the community radio station, Alex FM 89,1. Nkosi dreams of being a success in the radio industry. “This is a stepping stone to greater things to come,” he says confidently.
Nkosi, the host of Drive 326 GP, the 3pm to 6pm show, will stop at nothing to ensure that he adds to the long list of stars and celebrated icons that come out of the township.
“For me, being from Alex is an honour on its own. This township has produced a lot of important personalities and that is a challenge to all young people in Alexandra to keep working hard to continue the trend,” he says.
 Jack of all trades: Alex FM DJ Nathi NkosiA jack of more than one trade, Nkosi also runs a sports administration company called Kgwele Entertainment, which is based in the township. “My passion for sport, especially soccer, motivated me to start the company to develop the sports in this township,” he explains.
“This is not only about passion but a business opportunity as well. I saw a gap and I capitalised. Currently, we are running a lot of government sports, but we are looking to broaden ourselves to work with the private sector that has the interest of investing in sports, especially in our township.”
Church
Sport and music are not the only activities in the township; religion and politics are also well-represented. A walk down Richard Baloyi Street reveals an old structure standing tall at the corner of Tenth Avenue, just a stone’s throw from the Pan African Mall.
On the wall of the building is a blue Joburg heritage plaque that gives a snippet of the history of the building. It belongs to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the AME, and it is a significant landmark in the township.
The church is known for its role in the liberation struggle. It served as place of refuge during the uprising of the 1970s and 1980s, and was used as a voting station during South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.
 Historic building: The AME ChurchInside the building, a community-driven initiative testifies to the commitment of the people of Alex to transforming it into a better neighbourhood. The church has allocated a fairly large room that is used as a day care centre for more than 30 children.
They are looked after by a full-time minder employed by church members. Parents and the church contribute funds for food and stationery.
Teacher Nana Mohamonyane, the minder, says the day care centre serves the community a great deal as there are only a few of such places in the township. “Parents cannot afford to take their children to [distant] pre-schools, because then they would require transport which costs a lot of money and most of the parents are low-income earners.”
The centre not only benefits the children and their parents, but it helps Mohamonyane as well. “I was unemployed, but now I am able to put food on the table with the little that I make. This centre is a good initiative, and I thank the church for providing this kind of opportunity,” she adds.
Computer classes
The centre is open from 7am up until 4pm. Next door, another community upliftment initiative is under way. Molefe Boshoma, a veteran resident of the township, runs a computer laboratory from a small room, where he runs after-school computer classes.
Boshoma, who is passionate about youth development, says the high rate of unskilled youth motivated him to start the lab. “I am very thankful to the church. It has played a significant role in the liberation struggle and it continues to serve the interests of the community.”
 A street in AlexHe believes the church is the right institution to deal with socio-economic challenges. “It is the church’s responsibility to ensure that the poor are taken care of and also to instil morals in the community, and so far I think the AME has played a vital role in building this township.”
Among Alex’s mix are various ethnic groups, including Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Pedi and Zulu; other foreign nationals have also found a home in the township.
Like most townships, Alex is vibrant, with many social places where locals gather to have a good time. And likewise every little landmark has a history.
One such place is the Corner Butcher, a buy and braai, on the corner of 12th Avenue and Reverend Sam Buti Street. It is here that Alex’s scholars meet on weekends to unwind. No ordinary buy and braai, the Corner Butcher has a long history. In the 1950s, for example, it was an ANC office.
Rodney Mabaso, a regular at the spot, says: “There is no other shisanyama that can be compared to this place. I chill here with my friends on Saturdays and Sundays. Basically the most distinctive thing about the place is the music.”
He describes the sound as jazz for the top brass of the township.
Indeed, Alex has a reputation of being home to well-known people. It is here that Nelson Mandela first settled when he migrated to Joburg from Eastern Cape. Other famous residents have been the former Mozambican president, Samora Machel; jazz musician, Caiphus Semenya; Irvin Khoza, the chairperson of the South African Football Association; the minister of arts and culture, Paul Mashatile; and Isaac “Shakes” Kungwane, the former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder.
Alex is an old township – in 2012 it will celebrate its centenary, and the Alexandra Chamber of Commerce and Industries will host a giant party.
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