Welcome to Langrug

Langrug is a vibrant informal settlement located in the scenic wine-farm area of Franschhoek outside of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Like many informal settlements in South Africa, it struggles from insufficient water and sanitation infrastructure alongside poverty and other related issues. Despite these challenges, Langrug has been recognised as a place of promise, as there is currently an innovative partnership formed between Langrug residents, the Municipality of Stellenbosch and NGO’s. This collaborative partnership is unique to informal settlements in South Africa. Langrug serves as an example for other informal settlements in terms of in-situ development, community inclusion and participatory development that have shaped its successful upgrading until this point (Mxobo, 2012).

Langrug’s Demographics

Similar to many other squatter camps in the area, Langrug was illegally formed between 1993 and 1994 to provide housing for poor migrants from the Eastern Cape, who make up 72% of Langrug’s population, looking for work on the vineyards surrounding Stellenbosch (Informal Settlement Network, Stellenbosch Municipality, Langrug Community Leadership, & Community Organisation Resource Centre, June 2011). Another 19% of Langrug residents have migrated from the urban areas of the Western Cape. Based on the settlement’s latest enumeration data, Langrug is made up of 1,858 shacks whose 4,088 inhabitants survive on low income, improvised shelters and basic water and sanitation facilities provided by the Municipality of Stellenbosch. There are 49 people per working toilet and 72 people per working tap. Due to the overcrowding that is characteristic of informal settlements, there have been 241 fires and widespread flooding that have affected multiple dwellings.

This data was obtained from Langrug’s most recent enumeration. To view the Enumeration Report, click here.

Map of Langrug showing its three sections

For more detailed historical context on Langrug, South Africa and informal settlements, view the Historical Context page.