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 An analysis of Kwa-Thema
 Regional context of Kwa-Thema and Johannesburg linked by the N17
 Source Map Studio 
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 An analysis of Kwa-Thema
 Regional context of Kwa-Thema
 Source Kwa-Thema Local Spatial Development Framework
 Introduction Site Theory Case studies Programme & site Design Development
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 An analysis of Kwa-Thema
 Regional context of Kwa-Thema
 Source Kwa-Thema Local Spatial 
Development Framework
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 In the original layout documented by Calderwood, the transportation 
system was critical to incorporate into the township to move people 
from town centers: commercial and work opportunities and were they 
resided.
 Minimal roads widths were proposed to lower the amount of roads, and 
expenditure in the township. The proposal was thought to be the best 
option for a neighbourhood with a low car ownership. ?It seems 
reasonable to assume that in assisted housing there should not be car 
owners, unless the car or vehicle form part of the owners business, i.e. 
Taxi or transport business.? (Calderwood 1953:75). Residential roads 
were reduced to one lane and pedestrian roads were introduced 
between rows of housing. 
In South Africa, safe and easy access within the housing area has 
resulted in unimaginative layouts with road widths quite unrelated to the 
volume of traffic. 
?In designing low cost housing in South Africa, research is required in 
order to investigate the effects of reducing the width of residential 
roads. It is essential, in planning such residential areas with reduced 
road widths, that no road except the planned roads will tend to become 
through roads? (Calderwood 1953:1000
 The practice of separate vehicular and pedestrian access is one which 
required more consideration in Native housing. For an ideal planning 
the creation of safe pedestrian access to schools and playing fields was 
accommodated in  the layout. Pedestrian access was meant to be free 
of any roads used by vehicles
 The journey of the residence of Kwa-Thema to the place of work were 
reasonable. For low income groups transportation costs are a burden to 
the family, even if transportation was subsidized. Transportation of 
workers to place of work was planned to be efficient and meet the 
demands without undue waiting and overcrowding. 
Mobility
 Reduced road widths in Kwa-Thema
  (Calderwood 1953:77)
 Introduction Site Theory Case studies Programme & site Design Development
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 Mobility
 Transportation Spines 
Source Kwa-Thema Local Spatial 
Development Framework
 Traffic intersection between Ndabezitha Street and the R45
  (Author 2008)
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 Mobility
 Main roads as connectors and collectors 
for mini bus taxis routes, linkages and 
nodes   (Source MrSid Viewer) 
0 500m 1km 1,5km 2km 2,5km 3km
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 Mobility
 Introduction Site Theory Case studies Programme & site Design Development
  Majola Street and Thema Road intersection
 Author (2008)
  Ndabezitha Street and Vlakfontein Road intersection
 Author (2008)
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 Social problems in Kwa-Thema
 According to the Census 2001, Kwatsaduza accommodated a total 
population of approximately 320 000 people in 2001. Of this total, 
roughly 72 000 people lived in Duduza, 100 000 in Kwa-Thema and 144 
000 in Tsakane. 
According to Census 2001, Kwatsaduza comprised approximately 
90000 households in 2001, with Duduza comprising roughly 20000 
households, Kwa-Thema 27000 households and Tsakane 43000 
households. 
According to Census 2001, the average household size of Kwatsaduza 
was 3,6 persons per household. This household average is made up of 
Duduza with an average household size of 3.6, Kwa-Thema with an 
average household size of 3.7 and Tsakane with an average household 
size of 3.4.
 Duduza has the lowest percentage of persons employed with only 28% 
of the total economically active population who are employed, in Kwa-
 Thema to 29% are employed, while in Tsakane has the highest rate with 
30% of the economically active population who is employed.
 The unemployment figure in Tsakane is the highest due to the larger 
population of the area. Proportionately, Kwa-Thema has the highest 
unemployment rate, with a total of 38% of the economically active 
population unemployed
 Not working persons of the total population aged between 15-65 years 
in Duduza is the highest with 38% of the economically active 
population. 
In Kwa-Thema the suburb with the lowest employment rate (12%), as 
well as the highest unemployment rate is persons who does not reside 
in particular suburb and the suburb Kwa-Thema Phase 1 (45%) with the 
highest percentage of employed persons within the total economically 
active population. 
The reason most persons of the economically active population who is 
not working in Duduza, Kwa-Thema and Tsakane, is that they could not 
find work and the other factor of persons not working between the ages 
of 15-65 years, is that they are currently a scholar of student. Other 
factors such as illness, pensioners and homemakers only adds up to a 
very small amount of the total of persons of the economically active 
population who is not working.
 Some of the social problems in the area are unemployment, poverty, 
crime, alcoholism, child abuse; single parenting, street children and 
drug dependency are on the increase. The source of employment of 
most of the residents is employment in the industry, self-employment 
?vendors / shop owners. Services and other home industries, small but 
increasing percentage of public service Workforce and Professionals 
also on the increase. 
Community development needs as expressed by the community range 
from: home nursing services for the aged and AIDS victims. Facilities 
for the frail aged care facilities, social work services
 Area
 Duduza 71956 20 055 3.6
 KwaThema 99514 26 713 3.7
 Tsakane 144290 43 002 3.4
 Kwatsaduza 315760 89 770 3.6
 Population Household Av Household
 size
 Statistic: Source Kwa-Thema Local Spatial 
Development Framework
 Introduction Site Theory Case studies Programme & site Design Development
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 Social problems in Kwa-Thema
 Employment
 Duduza 13777 17023 17971 48771
 KwaThema 19904 26620 22860 69384
 Tsakane 29477 35937 33950 99364
 Kwatsaduza 63158 79580 74781 217519
 Employed Unemployed Not Working Total
 Informal traders on Majola Taxi Rank
 Author (2008)
?To be able to stand up to change, forms must be built to allow a 
multitude of different interpretations. They must be able to take on several 
meanings and then abandon them again whithout harming their own 
identity. This means searching for primary forms which can not only 
accept a programme but also liberate it. Form and programme inspire 
one another. The impossibility of creating an individual interpretation by 
designing things in such a way that they are indeed capable of 
interpretation.?
 Hertzberger (Van Der Voordt 2005:32)