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Bekkersdal

Coordinates: 26°16′S 27°42′E / 26.267°S 27.700°E / -26.267; 27.700
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Bekkersdal
Mounted police in Bekkersdal, ahead of the 2014 election
Mounted police in Bekkersdal, ahead of the 2014 election
Bekkersdal is located in Gauteng
Bekkersdal
Bekkersdal
Bekkersdal is located in South Africa
Bekkersdal
Bekkersdal
Coordinates: 26°16′S 27°42′E / 26.267°S 27.700°E / -26.267; 27.700
CountrySouth Africa
ProvinceGauteng
DistrictWest Rand
MunicipalityRand West City
Area
 • Total27.90 km2 (10.77 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total47,213
 • Density1,700/km2 (4,400/sq mi)
Racial makeup (2011)
 • Black African98.2%
 • Coloured0.4%
 • Indian/Asian0.2%
 • White0.1%
 • Other1.1%
First languages (2011)
 • Xhosa30.5%
 • Sotho19.3%
 • Tswana16.0%
 • Tsonga13.9%
 • Other20.3%
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)
Postal code (street)
1779
PO box
1772

Bekkersdal is a township situated 7 km east of Westonaria and 14 km south of Randfontein in the Gauteng province. It was established in 1945,[2] to house Africans who worked in town and at the surrounding gold mines. In 1983 the township was granted municipal status. The township was the site of violent protests ahead of the general elections on 7 May 2014.[3][4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Main Place Bekkersdal". Census 2011.
  2. ^ "History of Council". Westonaria Local Municipality. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  3. ^ "Bekkersdal votes under heavy police presence". News 24. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  4. ^ "Violence in Bekkersdal on eve of election". News 24. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.