GGH3704
Assignment 2
Unique No: 647859
Semester 2 2025
Due 17 September 2025
, GGH3704
Assignment 2| Semester 2 2025
Unique No: 647859
Due Date: 17/09/2025
Introduction
South Africa's urban landscapes continue to wrestle with the enduring legacies of
apartheid, as reflected in De Beer’s (2025) assertion that, nearly three decades after its
formal end, cities remain deeply segregated. This observation underscores persistent
debates on spatial justice and urban inequality, particularly in a context where historical
policy frameworks profoundly shaped socio-spatial divisions. As a geospatial analyst for
the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), this essay examines
Johannesburg—the country’s largest city and economic hub—as a case study to assess
the applicability of De Beer’s claim. Drawing on scholarly literature, geospatial data, and
recent policy insights, the analysis demonstrates that segregation in Johannesburg
persists, primarily reflected in racial and socio-economic residential patterns.
The essay argues that, although some desegregation is visible in affluent suburbs,
overall spatial divisions remain entrenched. Historical legacies, enduring socio-
economic disparities, political inertia, and planning-related shortcomings collectively
undermine the pursuit of equitable urban transformation.
Assessment of De Beer’s Statement in Johannesburg
De Beer’s claim is strongly borne out in Johannesburg, where apartheid-era spatial
patterns continue to manifest in both racial and socio-economic segregation, despite
post-1994 initiatives aimed at fostering integration. Geospatial analyses conducted by
the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) reveal that townships such as Soweto,
Diepsloot, and Tembisa remain predominantly black African, low-income, and
peripherally situated, with limited racial diversity (Entropy Index below 15%) and mean
household incomes below R10,000 per month.
Assignment 2
Unique No: 647859
Semester 2 2025
Due 17 September 2025
, GGH3704
Assignment 2| Semester 2 2025
Unique No: 647859
Due Date: 17/09/2025
Introduction
South Africa's urban landscapes continue to wrestle with the enduring legacies of
apartheid, as reflected in De Beer’s (2025) assertion that, nearly three decades after its
formal end, cities remain deeply segregated. This observation underscores persistent
debates on spatial justice and urban inequality, particularly in a context where historical
policy frameworks profoundly shaped socio-spatial divisions. As a geospatial analyst for
the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), this essay examines
Johannesburg—the country’s largest city and economic hub—as a case study to assess
the applicability of De Beer’s claim. Drawing on scholarly literature, geospatial data, and
recent policy insights, the analysis demonstrates that segregation in Johannesburg
persists, primarily reflected in racial and socio-economic residential patterns.
The essay argues that, although some desegregation is visible in affluent suburbs,
overall spatial divisions remain entrenched. Historical legacies, enduring socio-
economic disparities, political inertia, and planning-related shortcomings collectively
undermine the pursuit of equitable urban transformation.
Assessment of De Beer’s Statement in Johannesburg
De Beer’s claim is strongly borne out in Johannesburg, where apartheid-era spatial
patterns continue to manifest in both racial and socio-economic segregation, despite
post-1994 initiatives aimed at fostering integration. Geospatial analyses conducted by
the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) reveal that townships such as Soweto,
Diepsloot, and Tembisa remain predominantly black African, low-income, and
peripherally situated, with limited racial diversity (Entropy Index below 15%) and mean
household incomes below R10,000 per month.
