|
Johannesburg,
South Africa
Johannesburg sprang up almost overnight after the discovery of
gold in 1896, drawing prospectors from all over the world.
Johannesburg has historically been characterized by
socio-economic and political cleavages between the races,
resulting in segregation and limited opportunities for the Black
population. With the abandonment of the policy of apartheid the
situation is gradually changing.
The relative political stability and thriving economy of
South Africa are currently attracting Black professionals from
other countries in Africa, as well as from Europe and the United
States, and many of the new arrivals have settled in
Johannesburg and its suburbs.
In 1931, Johannesburg had a population of 400,000, which
doubled during the years of the Second World War. The 1986
census revealed that of the metropolitan population 60% were
white, 25% African, 11% "coloured" and 4% of Indian decent.
According to the United Nations, the population
of Johannesburg metropolitan region was 1.8 million in 1995.
Although migration accounts for a significant portion of
population growth, natural increase is the main impetus in
Johannesburg.
Johannesburg is the largest mining and industrial centre on the
African continent and serves as the commercial hub of South
Africa. The region, which once contained the world's richest
gold-bearing reef, is rich in natural resources and other
minerals: carbon, uranium, green diamonds, iron pyrites,
silver, platinum, and chrome.
By 1981, Johannesburg was experiencing
negative per capita growth rates due to a sharp drop in the
price of gold. By 1985, South Africa had accumulated a financial
debt that resulted in a severe balance of payments deficit.
Concurrently, the Government shifted approximately 15% of
manufacturing employment from urban to decentralized areas.
International anti-apartheid sanctions of the 1980's began to
take effect on the economy, thereby producing a financial
crisis.
Johannesburg is currently revitalizing its export-oriented
manufacturing sector and deregulating its commerce. Though
international sanctions have been lifted, their wounds will take
decades to heal. The policy of Apartheid has left a legacy of
rigid labour markets, skewed consumption patterns, limited
development in outlying areas, and restricted international
investment.
As in all major South African cities, sections of the city
remain segregated by race, quality of housing, access to the
city and availability of services. A working-class housing
shortage has persisted since the 1920's. By 1983, there were an
estimated 8,000 to 12,00 squatters in the city, with squatter
settlements mushrooming on the outskirts of the city during the
1980's. The government today has a programme for providing piped
water and toilets in designated squatter settlements.
Integration is increasing on the outskirts and in some
central areas of the city, but racial settlement patterns are
expected to persist throughout the 1990's.
<<
|
