South Africa's Oldest Township
Join me and discover the intimate knowledge of Langa and its history. The walkabout lasts about 3 hours, you will experience the real Langa Township Tour, as it lives, wakes and plays. There are four areas we will visit; ordinary houses, hostels, middle class places (not tin shacks) and the Joe Slovo, informal settlement. I’m a proud Langa man - with a large extended family living here here. Would I leave? No, very unlikely. This wonderful, sometimes difficult place is my home.
The story of Langa
Briefly! Because it has a long and fascinating history. It may surprise you that Langa was established before Apartheid. It is the oldest Township in South Africa, and was established in 1927, and is about 12km from Cape Town. It’s where several people were killed the same day as the Sharpeville massacre.
Like the other well known Cape Townships, Gugulethu and Khayelitsha, Langa is one of the many Township areas that were established as a result of the Apartheid law, and were designated for Black Africans.
Langa in XHOSA literally means ‘sun’, and is a predominantly Xhosa speaking community. The majority of the ‘originals’ here were families who moved from N’dabeni. It was a hard place to live. Life for many was difficult. So many did leave in those early days to seek a better, they hoped life elsewhere
The name of the Township comes from Langalibele – a chief and renowned rainmaker who was imprisoned on Robben Island in 1873 (just like Mandela) for rebelling against the Government. The Joe Slovo, Settlement is the largest informal settlement within Langa. He was a great political activist and leader of the ANC in its early days during the Apartheid era.
Churches are a very important part of Langa life. Starting with the Women’s Christian Association (Umanyano lwabafazi) who provided help to the poor in the community. Churchgoing is still a strong tradition today. Over the years Langa has produced some major figures in culture, sport and entertainment… including the late Brenda Fassie, the soccer star Thabo Mgomeni; the boxer Nika Khumalo and the South African wicket keeper Thami Tsolekile… and not quite so important – me, MC: your Tour guide!
To find out more about this extraordinary place, all you have to do is join me on one of my tours.
See the Sights! take a walk with me.
Authentic, Real, Local Tours
From Robben Island, to everything in between! ProteamSA specialise in Authentic Local and historical Tours of Cape Town and the Oldest Township in South Africa. School and Corporate Team Building Tours are available. Choose from one of our tours below, or contact us should you wish to tailor a Specific Tour. Check out of TripAdvisor Rave Reviews
Real Reviews
Robben Island
Half Day Experience
During Apartheid, Robben Island served as a prison for political activists including Nelson Mandela. Meet some of the ex-political Prisoners and More...
Breathtaking Cape Point And Peninsular
Inhale the magnificent views of the beautiful Cape Town. In this full-day experience. Gain understanding and appreciation of the South African History on this Full Day Tour. More...
Walking Educational School Tour
Visit South Africa's Oldest Township! Students will experience an entirely new perspective of life in current day South Africa, as well as life in Apartheid South Africa. See life from an entirely different perspective. MORE...
South African History and Heritage
This Full day experience will take you on a path of historic attractions, which were impacted by the Apartheid law, including District Six, Robben Island and South Africa’s oldest Township. MORE...
Team Building Orientation Process
A half-day team building experience that will get your team understanding how each team member operates under pressure. A valuble bonding experience in an Authentic setting right here in Cape Town. Find out MORE...
Sunday Gospel Church Township Tour
Your opportunity to worship with the locals in South Africa's oldest Township. Learn the history and experience the culture, as we end the day with a traditional braai (barbecue with local in a local butchery). Find out MORE...
The Meaningful Township Experience
This Experience gives you the opportunity to learn more about the scares of Apartheid. You will be given an opportunity to do something meaningful. More...
Cableway and Table Mountain Tour
Whether covered in a blanket of moody clouds or showing off against a crisp cloudless blue sky, this mountain has attracted more than 25-million visitors! More...
The Big 5 Langa Walking Tour
This historic and cultural experience will give you an opportunity to look at South Africa from a different perspective. See the realities of SA and witness how effective apartheid really was. More...
