A suburb shaped by history awaits us here in Bishop Lavis. Bishop Lavis is a place that tells a story of resilience. It stands 15 kilometers east of Cape Town’s city center.
Bishop Lavis emerged as one of many townships. Apartheid’s introduction saw non-white citizens moved here. They were displaced from lands designated for whites.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine the years between 1951 and 1960. Communicare developed Bishop Lavis. It became a home for many who had been uprooted.
Who was Bishop Lavis? The area gets its name from Bishop Sidney Warren Lavis. He campaigned to improve the dire conditions throughout the Peninsula in the early 1900s. He understood the challenges people faced. Bishop Lavis tirelessly sought solutions.
Bishop Lavis was born Sidney Warren DeLavis in 1873. He became an eminent Anglican clergyman. Educated at St Augustine’s College, Canterbury, he was ordained in 1899. He later became the Dean of Cape Town. In 1931, he was consecrated Coadjutor Bishop of Cape Town.
Bishop Lavis cared deeply about social reform. An American friend created a committee to honor Bishop Lavis. They raised funds for a memorial. A plaque with his image and words from the Gettysburg Address was placed in St George’s Cathedral.
In 2001, Bishop Lavis had a population of over 44,000 people. Ninety-seven percent identified as Coloured. Ninety percent spoke Afrikaans. By 2011, the population was around 26,500.
Today Bishop Lavis covers an area of approximately 2.58 square kilometers. The population density is about 10,000 people per square kilometer. Predominantly Afrikaans is spoken here.
Imagine the community spirit. It is a place where people have built lives. They have created a community against difficult odds. Bishop Lavis stands as a testament. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of its people. It serves as a reminder of past injustices. It is a call for continued progress.