Daveyton

History

Daveyton was established in 1952, and named after William Albert Davey, the Mayor of Benoni from 1951 to 1953. Daveyton achieved municipal status in 1983.

Numerous civic and youth organizations operated in the township since 1980, such as the East Rand Peoples Organisation, the Daveyton Students Congress Peoples Party, the Sinaba Party, Daveyton Peoples Party and the Daveyton Youth Council. The East Rand Peoples Party and Daveyton Students Congress were affiliates of the United Democratic Front. Chris Hani led his last March from Daveyton to Modderbee Prison.

Culture and lifestyle

Soccer is the most popular sporting code in the township. Therefore, multiple tournaments are held during the festive season. Namely, the Ibhola Lethu tournament at Mabuya ground, organised by the community, and the Pollen Festive Games, organised by South African soccer legend Pollen Ndlanya. It is also the birthplace of some of the country's professional soccer players, like Jabu Pule, Junior Khanye and Clement Mazibuko, Katlego Mashego, Musa Nyatama and Xolani Mdaki. Daveyton also has a soccer team, Benoni United FC.

Other notable establishments in the area are the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department offices, the Ekurhuleni Customer Care Centre, the Daveyton and Mokoka libraries, as well as the Ekurhuleni East College, Daveyton Campus (formerly known as Isidingo College). It also boast one of the biggest arts centre in Ekurhuleni, the old brewery which was converted into an art centre.

With the approval of the Provincial Government in the 1970s, Daveyton began using vintage Chevrolet Kommando and Constantia vehicles as modes of public transportation. They are commonly called amaPhela ('cockroaches') because they were so common in the streets of Daveyton. Hence, Daveyton was dubbed the "Chevrolet Township of South Africa". Though the use of these vehicles has been superseded by the modern, fuel efficient Toyota Avanza, there are still a few classic cars in Daveyton.

Media

• Bopha! is a 1986 play by Percy Mtwa which was later adapted to film. The African-American filmmaker and actor Morgan Freeman directed the film, which also starred Danny Glover. The film was shot in Daveyton.
• Yizo Yizo, an uncompromising television drama series, was set in Daveyton with Davey Secondary being the fictitious Supatsela High School. The show achieved record-breaking audience ratings and cult status amongst South Africa's youth. It was directed by Teboho Mahlatsi and Angus Gibson and produced by Desiree Markgraaff.
• Daveytontv provides daily news in the Township and surrounding areas on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, and Tik tok. Radiovutta is another platform that gives news about the township

Infrastructure

Malls

Daveyton mall, Sesfikile Square, Majuteng Square, and Mayfield Square.

Higher Education

University of South Africa ekurhuleni campus and Ekurhuleni East College

Schools

Bafo Chiko Primary, Baikagetse Intermediary School, Daveyton Combined School Bhekimfundo Primary School, Davey Secondary School, Daveyton Intermediate School, Dinoto Technical Secondary, Dumehlezi Primary School Enkangala Primary School, Hb Nyathi Secondary School, Hulwazi Secondary School, Inkatha Ka Zulu Primary, Katlego Intermediary School, Kgalema Primary School, Lerutle Primary School, Lesiba Secondary School, Usizolwethu Special School, Letsha Primary School, Mabuya Secondary School, Madingoane Primary School, Matiyotenga Combined, Melodi Primary School, Moshoeshoe Primary School, Ntsikana Primary School, Rivoni Secondary School, Sibonelo Primary School, Siphethu Primary School, Siphumelele Primary School, Sozizwe Primary School, Daveyton Skills School and Unity Secondary School

Stadiums

• Sinaba Stadium

Health care

Daveyton main clinic, Daveyton east clinic and Sgodi clinic. Future projects include Daveyton hospital

Transport

Mini bus taxis, Ekurhuleni Traffic Department Offices and Daveyton to Johannesburg via Germiston Train service (Non-active since 2020 due Nationwide vandalizing of PRASA rail network during the Covid shutdowns but is in PRASA Rehabilitation programs)

Library

Daveyton library and Mokoka library

References

References

1. "Main Place Daveyton". Census 2011.
2. Who's Who of Southern Africa, including Mauritius, 1976. The Argus Printing and Publishing Co. Johannesburg, 1976 pg 235.
3. Chawane, Midas Harold. (2008). "The Rememory of Black Oppression: Forging a Rasta Identity with Specific Reference to the Township of Daveyton, 1994 to the Present".
4. "Daveyton TV prospering – Sounds of Azania".
5. "Radiovutta – The voice of fire".
6. "Daveyton Mall".
7. "Debonairs Pizza Daveyton Sesfikile Square {{!}} Pizza Delivery".
8. "Build it - majutene gauteng".
9. "Mr Price".
10. "Mayfield Square officially opens".
11. "Mayfield Square Shopping Centre".
12. "Contact us".
13. "Daveyton Campus".
14. "Browse Schools in Daveyton".
15. "Institutions - Gauteng Provincial Government".
16. "Clinics".
17. Sadike, Mashudu. (2024-02-20). "Soon-to-be-built Ekurhuleni hospital to be named after Mbongeni Ngema".
18. "Hospital Revitalisation – GIFA".
19. "EMPD".
20. "Question to the Minister of Transport - NW149".
21. "DA takes the fight to rescue Daveyton train station to Parliament".
22. "ATC250327: Report of the Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and Minister in the Presidency on the Oversight Visit to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Station Modernisation and Rail Corridor Revitalisation Projects on 12 March 2025, dated 26 March 2025".
23. Johannes. (2024-10-23). "ActionSA Demands PRASA Account for Missed Deadline to Restore Daveyton Train Station".
24. "COE Libraries".
25. Johannes. (2025-03-05). "ActionSA Appalled by the State of HP Mokoka Library in Daveyton".