Vukuzakhe Township In Volksrust

Vukuzakhe Township In Volksrust


The name Volksrust (the nation rests) is attributed to Dorie de Jager, Dirkie Uys' sister. The story goes that this occurred when battle-weary Boer soldiers came to this place to recover from the South African War. On 27 March 1889, President Paul Kruger of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republik (literally: South African Republic) officially announced the name of the town. Today Volksrust has a Concentration Camp Memorial to honour those who lost their lives in these concentration camps, the first in the world.

The population of the town includes Black, White, Asian and Coloured people. The population survey of 2001 showed that over the years, the number of people living in the areas has increased from the 1999 population count. Like most towns in the urban and rural areas, people living in Volksrust also suffered under the apartheid Groups Areas Act legislation. Before 1994, Black people stayed in the township known as Vukuzakhe (meaning: built yourself). Vukuzakhe is further divided into eight sections. The first sections to be established were Kwesimhlophe (or: for Black people) and Kwesimnyama (for Coloured people). Around 1946 the government built small four roomed houses in an area that became known as New Stand. In 1958 after the forced removals of people from Charlestown, (an area that produced coal for a very short period of time), people were moved to Vukuzenzele (meaning: wake up and do it for yourself). As more and more people were forcibly removed from their land, Vukuzakhe also grew.

In 1961, the government introduced semi detached two-roomed houses where two different families lived on either side. The people called this area Lindela (meaning: wait). It is not known why the name was given but its meaning is significant to people being displaced. Sgodiphola was the next attempt to relocate people from neighbouring farms where White farmers wanted to settle. In the 1970s another area came into existence, which was similar to New Stand, but the rooms were a little bit bigger. Once again the area was known as Dukuza (which means - pacify). Around the 1980s the government began another project that looked at improving the lives of people, by building houses with sewerage systems and electricity. This area became known as Phumula Mqhashi (settling of tenants). It was the only area in the 1980s that had running water and electricity. Other areas were without electricity, running water and were still using the bucket system. It was only after 1994 that the infrastructure was improved. Interestingly, Volksrust had proper sanitation and tarred roads. White children enjoyed well kept and maintained playgrounds while Black children did not.