Orlando | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Orlando | |
  Orlando  Orlando | |
| Coordinates:26°14′28″S27°55′01″E / 26.241°S 27.917°E /-26.241; 27.917 | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | Gauteng |
| Municipality | City of Johannesburg |
| Main Place | Soweto |
| Area | |
• Total | 10.01 km2 (3.86 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 108,813 |
| • Density | 10,870/km2 (28,150/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| PO box | 3680 |
Orlando is atownship in the urban area ofSoweto,South Africa. The township was founded in 1931 and named afterEdwin Orlando Leake, mayor ofJohannesburg from 1925 to 1926. It is divided in two main areas: Orlando West and Orlando East.
The township of Orlando was directly involved in some of the most important events of the fight against theapartheid system. Some of the most dramatic clashes between the South African police and anti-apartheid demonstrators occurred in Orlando West. This includes theSoweto uprising where 12-year-oldHector Pieterson was killed. TheHector Pieterson Memorial Museum was established in Orlando West to commemorate those events.[2] In the surroundings of the museum is the house whereNelson Mandela lived for several years while practicinglaw; the house now hosts theMandela Family Museum. South African struggle activist and politicianWinnie Madikizela-Mandela resided in Soweto during the apartheid era until her death on 2 April 2018.[3]
Orlando Stadium is the home of thesoccer teamOrlando Pirates of theSouth African Premier Division.
Orlando East housesthe eponymous library, Soweto's oldest.
