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Cape Flats

The Cape Flats is a low-lying sandy area in Cape Town, South Africa, situated between the city centre and the mountains to the east and south. The region covers approximately 230 square kilometres and is home to more than a million residents, making it one of the most densely populated areas in the Western Cape. Historically, the Cape Flats was developed as a result of apartheid-era forced removals, when communities classified as coloured, black African and Indian were relocated from areas such as District Six and other parts of central Cape Town. The area is characterised by a mix of formal suburbs and informal settlements, with significant socioeconomic challenges including high unemployment, poverty and inadequate service delivery. The Cape Flats has become synonymous with gang violence and drug-related crime, which have plagued many of its communities for decades. Major townships and suburbs within the Cape Flats include Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Gugulethu, Nyanga, Hanover Park and Manenberg. The region's economic activity is largely informal, though it also hosts industrial zones and commercial centres. Despite its challenges, the Cape Flats is a vibrant cultural hub with strong community networks and grassroots organisations working towards social upliftment. The area remains a focal point for government intervention programmes aimed at addressing crime, housing shortages and economic development.

Cape Flats Updates

City backs new BPO investment

6th March 2026

City of Cape Town (CoCT) Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said hundreds of new call centre jobs are on the way in Mitchells Plain in Cape Town after the city helped facilitate a new business process...

Benni – A Memoir

12th February 2026

Benni McCarthy is South Africa’s most successful footballer – he’s the all-time top scorer for Bafana Bafana, the country’s only UEFA Champions League winner, and he is now forging a successful...

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