Get a taste of township life by visiting Langa near Pinelands. Eat, sleep, shop and party in Cape Town’s oldest, most vibrant township.
Far removed from its humble and spartan origins as a hostel hub, modern-day Langa boasts schools, sporting facilities and clinics.
Meet sangomas and traditional healers; shop at local markets; sup on African delicacies and party township style, while supporting one of the poorest areas of the Mother City. Beadwork, pottery and recycled goods are sold in and around Langa.
The Eziko Restaurant offers a memorable African eating experience. The Eziko Restaurant, (+27 (0)21 694 0434), is linked to the Eziko Cooking and Catering School, which was set up to teach members of the local community to cook and so provide them with marketable skills. Eziko is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on prior request, and is a popular stop with tour operators.
Consider spending a night or two in Langa. Ma Neo’s Township Bed and Breakfast, (+27 (0)21 694 2504), provides a homely, welcoming atmosphere in which to put your feet up after a day of perusing local fare. Guests are treated to a rare opportunity to listen to the history of life under apartheid from those directly affected by it.
For those looking to see how the residents of Langa are uplifting themselves, the Tsoga Environmental Resource Centre, (+27 (0)21 694 0004), is a good place to visit. The centre offers youth programmes that revolve around life skills, training, job creation and environmental education.
If it’s shopping you’re after, Guga S’thebe Arts & Culture Centre, (+27 (0)21 695 3493), is must-visit. Housed in a brightly coloured building, the centre, like many of the businesses in Langa, is dedicated to the empowerment of the local people. The centre has exhibition areas, where there are regular exhibitions, art studios and a resource centre.
Once you’ve wandered the streets of Langa, stop for a drink at a local shebeen (township tavern), sit back and absorb the local flavour.
General Info
Formal name:
Guga S'thebe visitors Center
Web links:
http://www.capetown.travel/attractions/entry/Langa
Web links with UA facilities:
No
Tourism products and facilities offered:
No
Facilities indoor vs outdoor:
No
Shaded or covered areas:
Yes
Accredited:
Yes
Accrediting agencies:
Cape Town Tourism
Linked to local pedestrian walkways:
Yes
Tactile warning systems at vehicular crossings:
No
Signage indicating alternative access:
No
Public transport:
No
Accessible parking:
No
Accessible without having to negotiate any stairs:
Yes
Ramp gradient:
9 degrees
Security control at the entrance:
No
Intercom communication or push button at the entrance:
No
Type of entrance door:
manual
Clear opening width of the gate or first opening leaf of the entrance door:
1300mm
Door handles fitted to gate or door:
Fixed
Door handles location above floor:
750mm
Glass panels in the door:
Yes
Horizontal frame separation between the glass panels or is it a continuous pane of glass:
between
Visual indicators on the glass panels:
Yes
Floor finish of attraction:
Tile
Floor finishes vary in the attraction:
No
Floor finish slippery when wet:
No
Location of the reception at the entrance:
No
Location of the reception desk clearly visible and easily identifiable from the entrance door:
No
Obstacles in the path of travel or close to the path of travel from the entrance door to the reception desk
Yes, Sliding gate track.
Reception desk height:
950mm
Dropped section of counter below 80cm in height, with leg space under the desk:
No
Alternative desk with a work surface below 80cm, with leg space below the desk:
No
Colour of the wall or surface behind the reception desk:
Peach
Wall or surface reflective:
No
Information available at the reception desk:
No
Background noise at the reception desk:
No
Information is available at the information / reception desk:
Brochures, paper leaflets
Casual seating:
Yes
Casual seating locations:
Outside the front entrance
Chair height:
500mm
Chair with arm rests:
No
Access routes to access all elements of the attraction level:
No
Ramps to accommodate the change in levels:
No
Stairs equipped with handrails:
Stairs equipped with highlighted nosings:
No
Clear signage in the building indicating the location of facilities including toilets:
Yes
Colour of the lettering and signage:
Green & white
Wheelchair accessible toilet facilities:
Yes
Wheelchair accessible toilet facilities provided and where:
1
Wheelchair accessible toilet facilities signage:
No
Location of key is indicated if wheelchair accessible toilet facilities are locked:
No
Other workstations where visitors might need to sit:
Yes
Height of worktop on these workstations and is there leg space under the workstations or desks:
700mm
Height of the seat of chair:
500mm
Chair has arm rests:
yes
Electronic visual displays:
No
Electronic, localized radio information or audio guides available at the attraction for visitors:
No
Possible to link to any websites or electronic broadcasts while visiting the attraction?:
No
Other information available:
Brochures and leaflets
Available in:
Paper
Available in large text format:
No
Available in braille:
No
Available in voice format:
No
Staff that have received specialized training to provide universal access support to visitors:
No
Staff with sign language capability:
No
Loop systems installed in the building:
No
Contact Details
- Address: Mdolombo Street, Langa, Cape Town, 7456, South Africa
- GPS: -33.944334549547456,18.524150848388672
- Phone: +27 (0)21 694 0004
Opening Times
- Monday 8am -5pm
- Tuesday 8am -5pm
- Wednesday 8am -5pm
- Thursday 8am -5pm
- Friday 8am -5pm
- Saturday 9am - 3pm
- Sunday 9am - 3pm
