South Africa: The Vaal Triangle

The Vaal Triangle The Vaal Triangle is made up of the complex industrial towns: Sasolburg and Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark. This triangle of industry is situated in the Highveld region of South Africa; it is estimated to be above 1500m above sea level in altitude and inhabits more than one million inhabitants. The Vaal Triangle consists of 6 racial townships which are located near the towns (due to Apartheid) for example: Boipatong, Bophelong, Sebokeng and Sharpeville. Sharpeville The township of Sharpeville occupies an area of 4.99km2 which is able to hold approximately 12 710 (2 439.35 per km2) households and a population of 37 599 (7 536.33 per km2) [Census 2011.2011]. This township is predominantly a Sesotho black township; there is a very small population other cultural groups and ethnic groups. Sharpeville previously known as Sharpe Native Township, is one of the areas whereby people were separated into different racial groups. Originally the people of Sharpeville were from Top Location, the reason for the relocation was because: “it was felt black people were too close to Vereeniging for comfort.” [Vaal Triangle Info. 2005]. The relocating of the people took 20 years to happen since the building of houses only began in 1942. [Vaal Triangle Info. 2005]. There are centripetal forces (pull forces) in accordance to the industry and schooling in Vanderbijlpark. Vanderbijlpark Vanderbijlpark is the industrial city. Vanderbijlpark is a place of education; there