:: WATTVILLE (Benoni) ::

Background

Wattville, south of Benoni, was established in 1941. It came to be known as Wattville after the black community was moved from Actonville to make a way for indian community. It covers 34ha and the first 400 houses were built there between 1941 and 1948. After 1948, the township was threatened with destruction as the apartheid government debated its proclamation. But three years later, in 1951 construction of more houses began and 1955 about 2000 new dwellings units had been erected.



Political Development

In November 1983, a local authority was established for the township. Five members elected. The council resigned during the subsequent unrest, which first started in the Vaal Triangle in September 1984. An adminstrator was appointed after the resignation. School boycotts and disturbances continued in Wattville in 1985 despite the imposed state of emergency.

Tourism

Wattville is a birth home of the late former president of the African National Congress, Mr. Olivier Reginald "OR" Tambo. He was longest serving president of the ANC in exile. He played a major role as president of ANC intensifying armed struggle against apartheid regime. He passed away on the 24-04-1993 and burried in his home township of Wattville


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