Perhaps you’ve wondered what stories this unassuming stream could tell. The Westdene Stream may seem like a minor waterway but it has witnessed significant events. This stream is closely tied to the history and development of the suburb of Westdene itself.
Westdene’s name gives a clue to its character. It means west valley a description that fits its location perfectly. West from the city center dene from the Old English word denu meaning valley.
Originally this land was part of the vast Braamfontein farm. Established in 1853 the farm stretched far and wide. It covered the area from Westdene to Houghton and from Newtown to Linden. In the late 19th century the farm was subdivided. It was sold multiple times. In 1884 Johannes Jacobus Lindeque acquired a portion. This area became known as Lindeque’s Portion. It would eventually become Auckland Park Cottesloe and Westdene.
Hendrik Wilhelm Struben even prospected for gold here in 1885. He had Lindeque’s permission but found nothing. In 1887 Lindeque sold some land to the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek. The government wanted to improve Johannesburg’s water supply. They also laid out the first suburbs on the farm.
Westdene itself was formally established in 1910. Before that in 1902 the area was surveyed. This happened after nearby suburbs like Auckland Park were already established.
In the early 20th century a brickfield was established near the stream. Albert Edward Wells started the Wells Brickfield around 1911. The brickfield was located southwest of the Westdene Stream. This brickfield played a role in shaping the landscape.
Early maps show two parks Tighy Park and another unnamed one. The unnamed park later became the Westdene recreation center.
The 1930s brought economic growth after South Africa abandoned the gold standard. Wells Brickfield expanded to meet growing demand. Quarrying clay created several small dams. These dams are depicted on a 1934 map along with the first properties in the area.
The original Auckland Park horse racing track was south of Westdene. It later became the Rand Afrikaans University and then the University of Johannesburg.
The brickfield closed in 1943. The land was possibly transferred to the Johannesburg city council. The council developed Westdene Park there. By 1952 aerial photos show two distinct dams. Blue-dam was to the southwest and Westdene-dam to the northeast. A small footpath separated them. Later they merged into one known as Westdene Dam. Further northeast Padda-dam or Frog Dam remained separate.
Westdene remained a white working-class suburb for much of the 20th century. After Soweto was established in 1923 some white neighbors wanted black people removed from Sophiatown. They felt it was too close to white suburbia. The government forcibly removed black Indian and colored families in 1955. Sophiatown was rezoned for whites only and renamed Triomf. Some Westdene residents had mixed feelings about their Sophiatown neighbors. Most wanted to maintain their white exclusivity.
A tragic event occurred at the Westdene Dam in 1985. A school bus crashed into the dam killing 42 children.
Even after apartheid ended Westdene remained a suburb with a white majority. In 2017 Tighy Park was used as a construction site. The company upgraded the park afterward. The Westdene Dam and park were also closed for construction. Both parks have been upgraded since then.
Today Westdene is experiencing an influx of students. They are seeking accommodation near the University of Johannesburg and the University of the Witwatersrand.
So next time you see the Westdene Stream remember its history. It is a story of farms brickfields dams and a changing suburb. It is a story etched into the very landscape.