Worksheet Johannesburg - Teacher Instructions

Johannesburg

Objectives:

Pointed one could say that in Johannesburg there is still a two-tier society: The rich whites and the poor blacks. This is reflected among other things by different and often separate living conditions. The rich white population tries to protect themselves in Gated Communities for some years now against crime. In these closed and often secured residential areas increasingly an own city life develops. The poor black population was already settled in a Township away from the city center in the early 20th century, where they are still today. Particularly in some Townships in Soweto an increased criminality rate is registered in the last years. A preliminary peak was in May 2008, when various foreigners were xenophobicly attacked.

Didactical comment:

• In this worksheet two extremes should be analysed. The students should describe both given pictures, then formulate definitions of gates communities and townships and should work out reasons and possible problems of these neighborhoods. By filling in their results in the table the students can visually compare the drastic differences of the living conditions. Afterwards, these living conditions should be compared with own experiences.
• For this worksheet no partner or group work is intentionally presented, since the students should work on both living conditions in parallel and comparatively.

Solution of Worksheet 'Johannesburg'

	Gated Community Gated Community near Johannesburg. Source: Google Earth	Township Township Soweto. Source: Google Earth
Description	In the picture one can see a limited housing estate, with large and partial magnificent houses. In some gardens one can recognize a pool. Between the houses numerous trees are visible.	In the picture one can see numerous houses closely build, one behind the other. Only some trees can be seen between the houses. They are multicolored and often simply held. In addition it is to be recognized that some roads are not asphalted.
Definition	Gated Communities are nearly as old like the first human settlements, because humans always wanted to protect their houses against strangers. Gated Communities can be divided into two categories, in closed and in secured neighbourhoods. Closed neighbourhoods are defined by road closures or fences. The roads within enclosed neighbourhoods generally remain public property. The local council usually remains responsible for the provision of public services, such as electricity, water and garbage collection, Secured neighbourhoods are visibly defined with walls and fences, and have a controlled access point with a security guard. The roads within the neighbourhoods are private property. Usually such communities possesses own infrastructures like shops, schools and offices.	The township Soweto is located about 20 kilometres away from the city centre of Johannesburg and is home to about two million people. A majority of the inhabitants is black and poor. Soweto consists of a total of 30 townships. With its uniform four-roomed matchbox houses, hostels and landscape without trees, Soweto looks drab and grey. In recent years Soweto became a site of massive development projects and a major tourist attraction in the country, where new trends are set.
Reasons for Development	Two Townships of Soweto rank among the most dangerous in the world. Many rich Johannesburgers are afraid of break-downs and want to protect themselves against it in closed housing estates. Some Gated Communities are very exclusive neighbourhoods, which are intended only for a certain group of people.	Back in 1904 the township was a product of segregationist planning. It was created to house mainly black labourers, who worked in mines and other industries in the city, away from the city centre.
Problems/Challenges	The inhabitants of Gated Communities live an insular life. In secured neighbourhoods the children are going on own schools and know therefore only few from the external world. They often live as in a golden cage.	The poverty in the Townships "cannot be solved" simply. Thus, a more and more visible separation from black and white, poor and rich emerges.