History

Part 1: We Gonna Grow!
1953

Mamelodi is a township and it hasn't always been called Mamelodi, it was once called Vlakfontein farm. It was established when 16 houses were build on the Vlakfontein farm in the June of 1953. As time went by the Vlakfontein farm's name changed to Mamelodi. In 1960 during the Apartheid regime in South Africa black citizens were coerced to move from a suburb called Lady of Selbourne in Pretoria to Mamelodi.

The Group Areas Act assigned Mamelodi as a blacks-only area of which was later disputed in 1994 when the Apartheid government was abolished. Anti-apartheid activist Reverend Nico Smith who had preached for seven years in Mamelodi since 1982, attained legal approval to reside in Mamelodi with his wife Ellen from 1985 until 1989. At that time they were the only white people legally permitted to live in Mamelodi.

Professor Nico Smith was one of the crucial individuals that played a role in fighting the Apartheid government so we could have the Mamelodi we have today. Ever since the Group Areas Act moved black people to Mamelodi this township continues to have a much greater population of black people than any other ethnic groups as of 2023. Unfortunately in the month of June on the 19th in 2010 Professor and Reverend Nico Smith passed away at 81 years of age. He was honoured by the City of Tshwane municipality by having a street named after him in 2012 in the Pretoria central business district. (Mamelodi Wikipedia and Prof. Nico Smith Wikipedia.)

Culture and Icons

So now we're going to take you on a journey to learn about some celebrities who were born and bred in Mamelodi. Since this is our history I'll tell you about our historical ones first and ascend to the modern ones. As you might or might not know "Mamelodi" the name stands for Mother of Melodies so our historical celebrities were musicians.

We had Donald Mahwetša Laka who was known as Don Laka who was a jazz musician, songwriter and music producer. He also founded "kwaai-jazz" which is a fusion of kwaito, kwela and jazz all of which were music genres in South Africa at his time. Secondly we had Mr Mogale an individual who after being an arts teacher for more than 20 years switched to being a musician.

Mr Mogale created a popular album called Heritage From an African Continent which was obviously appreciated by the elders of today in Mamelodi. We also have one of our many princesses in Mamelodi in Joan Ramagosi who was Miss South Africa in the year 2003. Along these big names we have our struggle hero Solomon Mahlangu who was an essential player in our struggle against the apartheid government.

The way Solomon Mahlangu was so crucial to our freedom today he is commemorated with a bronze statue which is in the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom Square here in Mamelodi, located near Denlyn Shopping Centre. To add to his memory a road was named after him and he is forever in our history book. May his brave actions never be forgotten. His last words before he was excuted in 1979 were, "My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom. Tell my people that I love them. They must continue the fight."

Notable Icons

More life stories and contributions soon to follow, stay tuned!

Modern Talent

Our celebs today come from different industries in the entertainment sector. Such as soccer, music and concerts their names are Terrence Mashego, George Lebese, Sfiso Ngobeni, Lehlogonolo Mashigo and Dinho to name a few. Terrence Mashego who is a soccer player for Mamelodi Sundowns and our national team. George Lebese who has played for one of the biggest clubs Supersport United, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and has played abroad and also for our national team.

Sfiso Ngobeni is a teammate of Terrence Mashego in Mamelodi Sundowns and our national team. We have the party specialist himself Mr Dinho who is famously known for hosting one of the most popular concerts in SA once every year called Dinho Cafe. Dinho hosts his concerts of the 26th of December every year and it's a big thing with people from all over Gauteng, you would commonly see the stickers that promote his concert on the cars of his patrons.

We also have the famous Lehlogonolo Mashigo known as Hlogi Mash a female soccer player and artist who inspires the female youth of Mamelodi with all that she has accomplished and her lifestyle. She plays for Mamelodi Sundowns and our national team too, she's cool you should check her out. Infact look them all up you surely won't be disappointed.

Soccer History Mams

When you visit Mams you should know that soccer is another big part of us, sports in general is important to us. So for us to single out soccer it's because that's the sport that makes us stand out perharps you've heard of the giant club that is Mamelodi Sundowns previously owned by Patrice Motsepe.

A CAF Champions winner and serial winner of our domestic league with a record 10 consecutive league titles to their name. With 18 total first division titles in their cabinet, they dominate even in the national women football league. The Mamelodi Sundowns female football club are also dominating the South African and Continental landscape by becoming CAF Champions winners and having multiple domestic league titles to their name. This club as a whole is feared and respected from their academy level through to their senior male and female teams because of their ongrowing talented players.

We also have our own community league that accomodates youths from the ages of under 11 up to under 21s and allows winning teams at the senior level to be promoted to leagues that give the opportunity to qualify for the first division league in our country.

Our league is run by MALFA you can usually come and watch our games at the following sports grounds Stanza Bopape Sports Grounds, Rethabile Sports Grounds, Muckleneuk Sports Grounds and ko-Pitch-ing located in Mamelodi East Sixteens. The local league matches usually take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from as early as 9:00 am until 17:00 pm, where you can feast your eyes on our talented youths.