Soshanguve

25°31′25″S 28°6′0″E / 25.52361°S 28.10000°E / -25.52361; 28.10000CountrySouth AfricaProvinceGautengMunicipalityCity of TshwaneMain PlacePretoriaArea • Total126.77 km² (48.95 sq mi)Population • Total906,000 • Density7,100/km² (19,000/sq mi)Racial makeup (2011) • Black African99.2% • Coloured0.3% • Indian/Asian0.1% • White0.1% • Other0.4%First languages (2011) • Northern Sotho28.2% • Tswana16.7% • Tsonga15.1% • Zulu13.6% • Other26.5%Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)Postal code (street)PO boxArea code012

Soshanguve is a township situated about 30 km north of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, just east of Mabopane. The name Soshanguve is an acronym for Sotho, Shangaan, Nguni and Venda, thus showing the multi-ethnic composition of the population. The major African languages of South Africa are heard in Soshanguve.

History

It was formerly known as Mabopane East.^[2] The acronym divided the Soshanguve residents according to their tribe when they were resettled from Mamelodi and Atteridgeville in 1974.^[3]

Culture

The people of Soshanguve speak Pretoria Sotho called Se Pitori and listen to local music genres called Barcadi & Amapiano.

Educational Institutions

Soshanguve is home to Tshwane University of Technology's Soshanguve North & South Campuses & Tshwane north college (TNC) which draw their students from every corner of the country.

Places of interest

• The second fab lab in South Africa is located in Soshanguve Block TT where it is operated by a self-organized group of unemployed youth known as the Bright Youth Council.^[4][5]
• Tswaing Crater - Tswaing, meaning Place of Salt in Setswana, is a 2000-hectare heritage site.
• Giant Stadium
• Soshanguve Crossing Mall
• Soshanguve Railway Station

Notable people

• Black Motion
• DJ Maphorisa
• Warren Masemola
• Vusi Mahlasela

References