Once upon a time Athlone was known as West London. Can you imagine that? This vibrant Cape Town suburb nestled on the Cape Flats boasts a fascinating history. It was renamed Athlone in the 1930s. This happened to honor Alexander Cambridge the 1st Earl of Athlone. He served as Governor-General of the Union of South Africa.
Athlone sits centrally on the Cape Flats. It lies between Cape Town’s city centre and the international airport. The area comprises various townships. These include Black townships Coloured ghettoes and shantytowns. It became a resettlement area. This followed the declaration of other areas as ‘White Only’. Many Black people were moved here. It also housed much of the migrant labour. People sadly referred to Athlone as ‘The Dumping Ground’ after the Group Areas Act was passed.
Geologically Athlone rests on Aeolian sand. This is marine-origin sand. It blew in from nearby beaches over many years. Beneath the sand lies Malmesbury Shale. An exception is on the western margin. Here there’s an intrusive mass of Cape Granite. Athlone’s western boundary is formed by Constantia Nek Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak. From the Cape Flats Table Mountain appears ‘side on’. It doesn’t look like the flat-topped mountain in most iconic views.
The area has a Mediterranean climate. It experiences warm dry summers and cool damp winters. It’s exposed to winds from the northwest in winter and southeast in summer. Flooding is a problem. This is particularly true during July and August. Cold spells during August and September make life hard for those in sub-standard housing.
Before 1950 travel was difficult. William John Burchell a noted naturalist noted this in 1811. The deep sand made cart and wagon travel extremely difficult. A firewood shortage worsened things. People cut down shrubs and trees that stabilised the sand.
By the late 19th century alien vegetation overran the area. Much of it was of Australian origin. Hakeas and wattles were particularly prevalent. This was due to colonial authorities’ decisions. They tried to stabilise the sand. This was done using plants from New South Wales and Western Australia. The earliest wattle import was in 1827. Large plantings continued until after 1875. While successful it resulted in invasive species. Recent efforts aim to reverse this ecological damage.
Since 1950 Athlone has undergone huge change. In 1950 the area was largely uninhabited. A single road crossed it. Native antelope roamed freely. Farmers grew vegetables. Modern amenities were unknown. Telephones were nonexistent. Water came from roof tanks. Oil lamps provided light.
This all changed rapidly. Urbanisation consumed vast tracts of land. During apartheid large housing projects were built. This was part of a forced relocation of the Coloured community. Other townships such as Khayelitsha and Gugulethu grew. This resulted from both informal settlement and government relocation. Many lived illegally contributing to informal settlements. These were mainly shacks of corrugated iron cardboard and wood.
Athlone’s story is one of immense change hardship and resilience. Today it remains a vibrant diverse community. Its cultural richness endures. This is evident in its music religious communities and ongoing efforts to combat poverty and crime. Athlone’s past shapes its present. It’s a testament to the strength of its people. Its story continues to unfold.