Collen Series Entertainment

1950–2000[edit]

Local residents of 15th Ave, Alexandra

In the early 1960s, the government decided to demolish all family accommodation in Alexandra

and replace them with single­sex hostels, which led to widespread resistance and protest.[6]

However, owing to the high costs, lack of alternative housing for the persons that would have to

have been removed and the escalating opposition led by the Rev Sam Buti's Save Alexandra

Party,[7] only two hostels were actually completed, and so the scheme was cancelled in 1979.

The riots that started in Soweto in June 1976 quickly spread to other areas such as Alexandra,

where 19 people were killed. As a consequence of these riots, evictions, forced removals and

expropriation of black properties were stopped; urban blacks were no longer regarded as

temporary residents and their permanent status was recognised.

Finally, in 1982, Alexandra was given the official status of a residential area and the then

Alexandra liaison committee, led by Rev Buti, was instituted to run the township.

In 1980 a "Master Plan" for Alexandra was introduced, whose aim was to transform Alexandra

into a "Garden City" with a completely new layout.[7] However, only a small part of this plan was

actually ever implemented; the execution of the "Master Plan" was permanently stopped by the

violent "Alex Six Days" uprising in February 1986. The uprising resulted from an attack by the

security forces on a funeral in the township.[8] 40 people were killed. The Alexandra Township

Committee, led by trade unionist Moses Mayekiso, were arrested and beaten. Mayekiso was only

released following a strike by metal workers.[8] By May the council started collapsing and the

councillors resigned which saw the emergence of street committees and peoples' courts. After the

imposition of the nationwide state of emergency in June, the Defence Force moved in to keep the

peace. In its place, the government introduced the "Urban Renewal Plan" as part of its strategy

during the state of emergency. However, this plan led to considerable demolitions, disruptions and

displacement in the community as well as two treason trials involving 13 leaders of Alexandra.

This, combined with the considerable number of additional people moving into Alexandra during

this time, led to a new area called the "East Bank" being built. Because of the insufficient capacity

and difficult maintenance of the newly built infrastructure, the situation quickly deteriorated and

thus the "Urban Renewal Plan" was shelved in 1990. During the communal and political conflicts

that took place in the 1991–1992 period, many people were killed, injured or displaced. This led to

several peace initiatives, which were greatly assisted by the first fully democratic South African

elections in April 1994.