:: SHARPVILLE ::

Background

Sharpville, the oldest of the six Township in the Vaal Triangle, it was established in 1942, where 5 466 dwellings were erected. Between 1973 and 1983 the Oranje- Vaal Administration Board controlled Sharpville, like the other five townships in the Vaal Triangle.



Political Development

The Lekoa municipality that took over the administration of the township in 1983 was established in accordance with the black local Authorities Act of 1982. It was in Sharpville that the 1984 township unrest started. The Lekoa Council introduced so called " Economic Rentals" in the Vaal Triangle areas much against the wishes of the residents. The increase of tariffs for rents and services in September 1984 resulted in the violence protest that seen lost of lives in many townships after that. Sharpville is also a home for black consciousness philosophy.

Tourism

The major tourism attraction in Sharpville is called Sharpville Human Rights Precinct. Its place of remembrance for all women and men who died as result of rejecting the Dompass identity document. Dompass was used by apartheid regime to restrict the movement or jailed them if they not carrying it. They had had enough of using it and felt it is time now dump them right at local police station of Sharpville. Their peaceful protest march was met with bullets where lives were lost. Sharpville Human Rights Precinct including the old awaiting prison is now the part of the heritage sites to be visited. Taking a ride around the township, you will be surprised of old matchbox houses, as they are known in the township lingo. These houses are still looking beautiful and colourful to appreciate.


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