The Slow Pace of Desegregation in South African Cities, 1996-2001

Abstract

The second post-apartheid census was held in South Africa in 2001, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the repeal of the segregation laws. It is now possible to gain some idea of the extent to which desegregation has taken place in the towns and cities of the country. The extremely high White segregation levels, attained under the previous dispensation, have changed comparatively little. At the same time, African patterns have been strongly influenced by rapidly growing numbers concentrated in peripheral informal settlements. Only the Coloured population appears to be experiencing some significant degree of reintegration. Furthermore, the rate of integration has declined after an initial rush in the early 1990s. The post-apartheid city continues to look remarkably like its predecessor, the apartheid city.