SOWETO

urban complex in Gauteng province, South Africa. It was originally set aside by the South African white government for residence by blacks. It adjoins Johannesburg on the southwest, its name being an acronym derived from South-Western Townships. It is the country's largest black urban complex. The townships constituting Soweto grew out of shantytowns and slums that arose with the arrival of black labourers from rural areas, in particular in the period between World Wars I and II. Slum clearance and permanent-housing programs began in 1948, and local as well as national authority was established. The population comprises a number of black ethnic groups, and Soweto residents have been in the forefront of demands for the development of black equality. In 1976 Soweto was the site of a massive uprising known as the Soweto Rebellion, which began as a political protest against the government's insistence that the Afrikaans language be used as the medium of instruction in Soweto's high schools. In 1978 the first Community Council of black residents was elected to administer municipal affairs. Considered a powerless institution by most residents of Soweto, the Community Council was nominally responsible for development of transport, roads, water supply, sewerage, electricity, and housing. Under the postapartheid 1994 South African constitution, these municipal services came under the jurisdiction of the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Board (an elective body that includes representatives from Soweto and other black townships) or are provided by various provincial or national authorities. There is little industrial development, and most of Soweto's residents commute to Johannesburg for employment. Pop. (1985) 521,948.