Kliptown

Kliptown
Kliptown is the historic site where the Congress of the People was held on 26 June 1955 during which the Freedom Charter was adopted, a document which remained a cornerstone of the African National Congress (ANC) policy for the next half-century. Established in 1903, Kliptown is the oldest urban settlement in the Johannesburg area to accommodate people of all races. It is a sprawling, colourful collection of settlements with a thriving informal business sector. However, systematic underdevelopment as a result of apartheid resulted in increased unemployment and lower levels of disposable income in the area. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Freedom Charter, and acting as a catalyst for change in the impoverished area, President Thabo Mbeki formally lit the flame of freedom at Kliptown Square in 2005. The square was part of the redevelopment of the area, which will see tarred streets, restored houses with electricity and sewerage, new houses, open park space, an informal trader market and sports facilities. The renewal programme also involves the preservation of historical buildings in Kliptown, such as the houses of activists Charlotte Maxeke and Stanley Lollan, and exiled artist Gerard Sekoto.

Kliptown is the historic site where the Congress of the People was held on 26 June 1955 during which the Freedom Charter was adopted, a document which remained a cornerstone of the African National Congress (ANC) policy for the next half-century.

Established in 1903, Kliptown is the oldest urban settlement in the Johannesburg area to accommodate people of all races. It is a sprawling, colourful collection of settlements with a thriving informal business sector.

However, systematic underdevelopment as a result of apartheid resulted in increased unemployment and lower levels of disposable income in the area.

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Freedom Charter, and acting as a catalyst for change in the impoverished area, President Thabo Mbeki formally lit the flame of freedom at Kliptown Square in 2005.

The square was part of the redevelopment of the area, which will see tarred streets, restored houses with electricity and sewerage, new houses, open park space, an informal trader market and sports facilities. The renewal programme also involves the preservation of historical buildings in Kliptown, such as the houses of activists Charlotte Maxeke and Stanley Lollan, and exiled artist Gerard Sekoto.