Diepsloot is a northern periphery of theCity of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and is divided into extensions. Diepsloot is made up of fully government-subsidised housing (RDP) (Extensions 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10), brick houses built by landowners (Extensions 2 and 7), partially government- subsidised houses (Extension 3/Tanganani) as well as shacks (the biggest sections being Extensions 1, 12, and 13). A large proportion (45.5%) of residents rent their property from a landowner who has subdivided their land.[citation needed]
Diepsloot was established in 1995 as a transit camp for some of the people who had been removed from Zevenfontein (informally known as eSgodiphola), a squatter camp right next to Chartwell that had been there since the late 80's. The people who remained behind in Zevenfontein had chosen to be moved to a different place, Cosmo City, which only started happening 10 years later at the end of 2005. Initially 1,124 plots were made available in Extension 2.
People were to stay in the transit camp until land elsewhere became available. For many, this camp became a permanent home. The Transvaal Provincial Administration, which was then the local authority, developed the plots into formal housing stands. In 1999, the former Northern Municipality Local Council began to initiate formal development in the area. There were about 4,000 families living in backyard shacks and 6,035 families in the reception area, a transit zone established by the city council.
Compounding the congestion, in 2001 the Gauteng government moved about 5,000 families to Diepsloot from the banks of theJukskei River inAlexandra. The move, part of the Alexandra Renewal Project, was intended "to de-congest and address the need to create a healthy and clean living environment" in Alexandra, one of South Africa's oldest townships.
An aim was also to prevent shacks being washed away when the river flooded, something that happened year after year. The influx of people from Alexandra placed further strain on the already stretched resources of Diepsloot. The relocated families did not qualify for housing benefits.
So far, 4,900Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses have been constructed in Diepsloot. Another 737 housing stands with water and sanitation facilities have been allocated. The national housing policy has moved away from the mass provision of standard RDP houses: it now follows the People's Housing Process model, a project being implemented in Diepsloot West. RDP houses are still being constructed, but the new process has the state provide a subsidy that covers the cost of building a house. The prospective home owner is expected to pay a portion of the costs.
Diepsloot is now home to about 140,000 people. Many of them live in 3×2 metre shacks, assembled from scrap metal, wood, plastic and cardboard. Some families lack access to running water, sewerage and rubbish removal. All extensions except for extensions 1, 5, 12 and 13 have tar roads, drainage and street lights. Members of the local council live in all extensions, except extension 5.
Extensions 1 and 5 often get flooded in the heavy summer rains as the water from the mall runs down into their roads. Residents use paraffin and electric stoves for cooking. In the 2011 census, 18.4% of dwellers have piped water inside their dwelling, 61.2% have electricity and 74.1% have access to a flush toilet connected to the sewage system. The majority of shacks which have access to electricity use a prepaid meter, but this is becoming increasingly expensive and is used sparingly.[4]
Diepsloot is generally described as a notorious settlement full of crime, violent protests and unpredictability. This place is inhabited by people from different tribes, cultures, traditions and nationalities, many of whom have no educational background or a skill set which they can use to find employment. The lack of education or skill set may be due to material deprivation, lack of security and the absence or dysfunctional needs such as water and sanitation infrastructure development.[6]
The above-mentioned factors have a detrimental effect on employment opportunities towards Diepsloot dwellers as employers cannot hire people without a basic education or skill set and come from a community that is generally described as violent and full of crime.[6]
Boombadotmobi (also stylised asBoombaDotMobi) is aSouth Africanwaste management and environmental services company based inDiepsloot, Johannesburg. Founded in 2017 by social entrepreneursNondumiso Sibiya andSbusiso Shongwe, the company was created in response to widespreadillegal dumping in the township. It connects households and businesses with licensed waste collectors to promote properdisposal,recycling, andcomposting. The organisation has implemented community programmes, including organicwaste collection and composting initiatives, aimed at reducing environmental degradation inDiepsloot. The company and its founders have been featured in independent news outlets for their contributions to localwaste management andsocial entrepreneurship.[10][11][12]
Thambulo "Abraham" Mabuke – South Africanpolitician and ward councillor forWard 113 in Diepsloot,City of Johannesburg, known for his public role addressing community issues including service delivery,infrastructure andcrime in the township.[13][14][15]
Joseph "Bafana" Mvelase – South African actor from Diepsloot who has appeared in television productions includingIsidingo,Isibaya,Muvhango,DiepCity, andGomora.[16][17] Media reports identify him as a resident of Diepsloot and document his involvement in community arts initiatives.[18]
Maxwell Nedzamba – South African business director and political figure from Diepsloot who serves as chairperson of the board ofPikitup Johannesburg SOC Ltd, a municipal entity of theCity of Johannesburg,[19] and who has held leadership roles in theAfrican National Congress (ANC)Greater Johannesburg region, including Regional Treasurer.[20]
Sipho Mdingi is aSouth Africanactor,dancer, singer and choreographer from Diepsloot, known for his performances on stage and in television drama series such asImpilo on1Magic. He has also appeared in theatre festivals and venues including theNational Arts Festival, Joburg Market Theatre, and the State Theatre.[21]
Babikie "Papi" Sathekge is a Diepsloot-based communityactivist,filmmaker, and creative arts practitioner. He has coordinated youth arts and film initiatives in the township. A short film produced in Diepsloot under his coordination was nominated in the Audience Choice category at theJohannesburg edition of the48 Hour Film Project.[23]
Anton Harber (born 1958), South African journalist and author of the non-fiction bookDiepsloot, which examines the social, economic, and political life of the Diepsloot community.[24]
Jack Mabokachaba – actor and performer from Diepsloot who has appeared in South African television productions includingThe River.[25] He has also participated in theatre and spoken word productions staged at venues such as the University of Johannesburg’s Bunting Theatre.[26]
Neftaly Malatjie'–Youth developmentactivist and founder of the Diepsloot Youth Projects, an organisation focused on empowering young people in Diepsloot through skills development,entrepreneurship training, and community programmes. He has been profiled in independent media sources for his community work and was selected as a fellow by theAnzisha Prize for young African entrepreneurs.[30][31]
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