ERF 11553, Rocklands

Political Signficance; Rocklands Community Hall, built by the City of Cape Town Council in 1981, was the venue of an historic gathering on 20th August 1983 which saw the establishment of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and signified a turning point in the straggle against Apartheid. The UDF was formed to unite people and organisations across South Africa despite racial, social and religious differences, and called for a united non-racial, non-sexist democratic South Africa. The gathering was attended by over 500 organisations from youth/student organisations, trade unions, church groups, civic, and women organisations, in response to the social economic and political changes that had been taken place since the 1976 Youth Uprisings. This included, and was in fact, spearheaded by, the introduction of the Tricameral Parliamentary system, a government system along racial lines which excluded the majority (Black) South Africans. The gathering at Rocklands heralded a new phase in the Liberation Struggle as the UDF placed itself at the forefront of intensified and sustained mass protests that took place across South Africa between 1984 and 1986. The UDF demonstrated that a diverse coalition of groups and individuals could stand together, even in the most difficult times of suppression, despite differences in ideologies, to successfully put pressure on the Apartheid regime.Social Significance: Rocklands Community Hall was built as a multi-amenities facility to provide for the social and recreational needs of the Mitchell’s Plains community (many of whom were forcefully removed from District 6), a “people’s place”. Today, Rocklands continues to be such a “people’s place” to the residents of Mitchell’s Plain where providing various social and recreational needs such as issuing of social grants, sports clubs, church services, library, creche and senior citizens meeting place. Architectural Significance: Rocklands Hall was one of eight halls built by the City of Cape Town in the Cape Flats between 1970s and 1980s, based on the design by Graham Parker. Parker was awarded the Architectural Award of Merit by the Cape Provincial Institute of Architects for the design. This led to the design being used for several community halls across South Africa

Mitchell's Plain was established in the 19705 as a township to respond to the housing shortages of the coloured community. 115 design was also part of the apartheid's race-based spatial planning and Group Areas Act. As forced removals intensified in Cape Town, Mitchell's Plain became a home for communities that were displaced from District Six.Erf 11553, including the Rocklands Community Hall which was built during the early 19805, provided a convenient space for mass resistance and large scale political gatherings that were organised by the anti-apartheid organisations. The historical meeting of 20 August 1983 which led to the establishment of the United Democratic Front (UDF) was held at this location. UDF became the largest sociopolitical movement that united South Africans from diverse backgrounds to fight against apartheid. The site has Significant political, as well as social significance.