Assignment 2 Semester 1 2026
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Due Date: April 2026
Question 1
Living conditions in Cape Town during the early nineteenth century were harsh, unequal and
shaped by class and race. The town was not properly planned, with narrow and mostly
unpaved streets, and poor drainage systems that allowed waste to collect in public spaces
(Giliomee & Mbenga, 2007). In central areas of Cape Town, many poor people lived in
overcrowded and unsanitary conditions where rubbish was often thrown into the streets or
nearby canals, leading to the spread of diseases such as typhoid and tuberculosis (Nattrass,
2010). Wealthier residents lived in more comfortable areas such as Wynberg, Sea Point and
Green Point, where housing conditions were better and less crowded. However, these areas
represented only a small part of the population, as most people struggled with poverty and
limited access to basic services (Wilson & Thompson, 1969).
Conditions were even more difficult for slaves, free blacks and labourers who lived close to
one another in densely populated parts of the town. In areas like the Bo-Kaap, communities
began to form among freed slaves and Muslim settlers, but living conditions remained basic
and overcrowded (Giliomee & Mbenga, 2007). There was no proper refuse system, and
animals were often kept near homes, which increased dirt and attracted flies.Terms
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slaughtering of cattle in open spaces also contributed to poor hygiene (Nattrass, 2010).
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