Welcome to Lenasia's Legacy

 

Nestled 30 kilometres southwest of Johannesburg, Lenasia stands as a vibrant testament to the strength, diversity and enduring spirit of its people. Established in 1956 in terms of the hated Group Areas Act under apartheid, Lenasia was designated by the racist National Party as a township exclusively for "Indians".

 

What began as a site of forced resettlement for communities displaced from non-racial areas like Vrededorp, Fordsburg, Kliptown and Sophiatown has transformed over seven decades into a dynamic, multi-cultural hub that embodies social resilience, cultural richness and religious diversity. 

 

Having commemorated Lenasia's 70th anniversary in 2025, this legacy website invites you to explore its  profound history. You may submit your or your organisation's history to us. Lenasia's story is deeply intertwined with the struggles against apartheid and for freedom. From its earliest days, the township was a cradle of resistance, influenced by the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, who established Tolstoy Farm five kilometres away in 1910, as a base for the passive resistance movement against racial discrimination in South Africa. 

 

This spirit of resistance to racism continued as Lenasia's residents, including luminaries such as Ahmed Kathrada, Laloo Chiba, Dr RAM Salojee, Reggie Vandeyar, Dr Abu Baker Asvat, Ramlal Bhoolia, Prema Naidoo, Rehana Adam, (Molvi) Ismail Saloojee, Ismail Momoniat, Sadecque Variava, Mohamed Valli Moosa, Priscilla Jana and Zubeida "Juby" Mayet, played pivotal roles in opposing the apartheid system.

 

The 1980 students' boycott of local schools, where over 3 000 learners protested educational inequalities for almost four months, marked a turning point in galvanising the community's fight for freedom and democracy. Similarly, the massive boycott by Lenasia voters of the Tricameral parliamentary election in August 1984 dealt a powerful blow against apartheid. 

 

President Nelson Mandela's multiple visits, including his historic address at the Lenasia Cricket Stadium after his release from prison in 1990, underscores the township's significance in the nation's journey to democracy. 

 

Today, Lenasia is a thriving cosmoplitan community that transcends its apartheid origins. Located within the area is the Thembelihle informal settlement, which has transformed its demography. The township's cultural tapestry is woven with the contributions from 'African', 'Coloured' and immigrant communities, alongside its predominantly "Indian" roots.      

  

Largely through its own efforts and struggles, this community built its economic, religious, civic, cultural, sporting, educational, social and political institutions. It forged a new identity through perseverance, sacrifice and persistence. Today, it stands as a commercial hub with localised employment opportunities in the south of Johannesburg.

 

This website is a living archive and a call to action. Through stories, photographs, videos and historical publications, we honour the sacrifices of our forebears and celebrate the achievements of all our people. We invite community organisations, schools, media groups and residents to contribute to the Lenz70 celebrations by documenting their histories, thereby ensuring our legacy endures. This will help younger generations and those not from Lenasia to understand the roots of apartheid and the importance of community solidarity and resistance in the face of adversity and injustice.

 

As we look to the future, Lenasia aspires to be a model of inclusivity, innovation and opportunity - a community where every voice is heard, and every dream is possible. Join us in reflecting on our past and charting a dynamic path forward for Lenasia, a place we proudly call home.