Montana Cape Town

This is a photo chronicle showcasing Montana, a Cape Flats suburb located in Cape Town South Africa. Pictures and words by South African journalist and photographer, Benedict Pather. Write to [email protected] for questions, updates or comments...

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A Google map of the various highways and area’s surrounding the Durheim region. Montana can be seen in the center.

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Montana estate is a suburb in South Africa’s Western Cape Province, located 16Km from the city central and 4Km from Cape Town International Airport. Montana was established in the early 1970's under the country’s Group Area’s Act. According to census South Africa there are around 4000* people living in Montana. The area is defined as a working class suburb. And in general has a Mediterranean climate: wet, windy and cool winters. Summers are dry and hot. Montana’s postal area code is 7490 and telephone code is 934. According to Google, Montana’s GPS co-ordinates are: Latitude: -33.961149 and Longitude: 18.571548 and its altitude is 30 meters.

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Together with surrounding area’s Charlesville and Montevideo, Montana forms part of the Durheim region and greater Matroosfontein area. Its entered by main roads Valhalla Drive and Robert Sobukwe Road (Old Modderdam Rd). Joining these two entrances is Pallotti Road (pictured). Historical landmarks in close proximity include the Gugulethu Sevens and Amy Biehl memorial situated in Steve Biko drive. The Ray Alexander Simons Memory Centre is also scheduled to be built nearby.

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While the name Montana originates from the Spanish word Montaña, meaning "mountain", it is unclear how a tiny area in Cape Town's flat lying region got branded with the same name. However considering the country’s colonial past, research shows that the area could have been named after Ralph William Durheim a dairy farmer born in Ismay Montana, USA. Evidence shows that Montana Estate was once a dairy farm, with various streets in the area being named after different breeds of cattle.

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Ayrshire Street located in "Old Montana", a term often used by residents who grew up this side of the community, and who's homes were of the first to have been built in the area. Oddly enough Old Montana is often used in classic literature and film in reference to the spacious cowboy-county in the United States of America. At the same time Ayrshire Dairy farm is a ranch situated in Great Falls, Montana USA. Brahmin Street is seen on the right.

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Pallotti Road hosts some of the most noteworthy establishments in the Durheim region which include (from left to right) the Golden Arrow bus depot, King David golf club (a vast area of land currently not being used since the club closed down), Astra School for children with physical and learning disabilities and St Joseph’s Home, a rehabilitative centre for children who suffer from chronic illnesses. St Joseph’s catholic church is also situated here. 

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While English is most commonly spoken, there are various other languages used and understood. Afrikaans is used by a large group of people. Another widely used language is isiXhosa. Due to the multicultural nature of the neighborhood Pakistani, French and various African languages are also in use.

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Built in the mid 1980's Montevideo Primary School (ahead) serves around 450* pupils. The school remains a noteworthy entity. And also plays host to occasional community meetings as well as government elections. Socioeconomic conditions in general, have led to very little to no extra - curricular activities for students, this school is however home to the Montana Vikings basketball club - one of the most celebrated sports clubs on the Cape Flats. Russel Street (pictured) leads toward Robert Sobukwe Road (accessible via foot), which has a few key public transport points.  

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Straight ahead is Montana shopping centre – a once bustling business hub consisting of an arcade entertainment room, post office, barber shop, video outlet, pharmacy and more. Currently this centre is mostly unused and is desperate for effective business ventures that could re-boost economic activity - and ultimately create jobs. Former business ventures included an internet café, maths tutoring and fast food take out – all of which have been forced to shut down. The vast area of land has been vacant and poorly maintained since Montana was established. For more than a decade a multiple housing project has been earmarked for this land.

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This is a doctor’s surgery in Montana shopping center, servicing the area’s residents and nearby communities. The GP is the longest running tenant in the centre and has been operating from this corner office for around three decades. Montana’s long-term residents claim that inadequate management is largely to blame for the centers derelict condition. All office space to the left remain in ruin while a makeshift church operates from the opposite corner. Crime and vandalism is a major factor limiting the prospects of new business.

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Due to the poor socioeconomic situation within close surroundings, crime remains a significant problem in Montana and the Durheim region. Widespread substance abuse, unemployment and gangsterism have resulted in an unyielding crime wave in the area. Within this region, house break-ins, car hijackings and sometimes even murder are not unheard of, which puts the safety and security of residents at risk.

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The mountainous view of Table Mountain National Park seen from Montana. Rich in biodiversity, in 2012 the mountain was voted as one of the world's new seven wonders of nature. The University of Cape Town,  Devil’s Peak, Newlands and Tokai Forest are some landmarks in the distant region. The Indian Ocean is located on the eastern side while the Atlantic Ocean exists to the west. These are some of the most picturesque areas in South Africa, and are around 15 − 30 minutes drive (12.6 Km) from Montana. 

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One of four public parks in Montana. Francis Crescent runs adjacent to this cul-de-sac, often referred to as "The Inn". In general residents of Montana and the Durheim area, particularly adults, do not participate in sporting activities, in the neighborhood. Citing lack of personal safety and no local sporting facilities (gym, public swimming pool, recreational centres, urban parks, etc). Most residents remain indoors, even during the day and especially at night. Or have to utilize cars or public transport to access recreational facilities outside of the Durheim region or in more established neighborhoods. The area’s residents are however keen on sports: soccer, cricket, jogging, basketball, cycling, inline skating, weightlifting, even ultimate frisbee, fencing and camping enthusiasts stem from this region.

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Despite the crime rate and limited extra-mural activities Montana remains a desirable place to live, especially among the growing middle class. Luxury vehicles, swimming pools and double story homes are common – with most people enjoying a relatively comfortable life. Centrally located next to the N2 highway, Montana borders on the Northern Suburbs and Cape Flats which makes reaching more developed facilities (schools, shopping malls, the city’s Centre Business District, etc) quite easy – even with public transport. The University of the Western Cape is located just 7 Km away. In 2009 - 2010 parts of an SABC1 television drama series titled Montana was filmed in this area. It showcased the lives of a diverse group of characters who originate from the Western Cape. A community forum also exists, where residants from the Durheim region meet to hold dialogue and highlight pressing issues.

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Montana’s primary café, open seven days a week. This superette sells basic consumer goods ranging from bread, milk, soft drinks, snacks, toiletries, fruit & vegetables, daily newspapers, etc. Though limited in variety this store has proven to be a vital resource for Durheim residents and remains a sustainable and well supported venture. Smaller home-based kiosk's also exist in Montana and its surrounding areas. 

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This huge piece of land remains vacant and underutilized – despite local resident’s dire need for extra-mural activities or a community centre. Debate around the future use of this area of land remains ongoing. Further afield is a petrol service station and 24-hour kiosk. Alongside that is Charlesville Mall or Metropolitan Life Centre, hosting a range of facilities such as; Shoprite, Pep, and various banking services. The Durheim Post Office, an internet cafe, a pharmacy and dentist are some of the businesses that exist. Over recent years a few Chinese owned stores have also opened up. Valhalla Drive is on the left of this field, leading toward the start of Montana’s Downing Street and Pallotti Road (dotted by another doctor’s surgery) and Gugulethu’s Steve Biko Drive.

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This is Robert Sobukwe road just off the N2 highway, intersected by Valhalla Drive, this road stretches around 12 Km’s. Turning right leads toward Montana and the rest of the Durheim region. Taxi’s and buses are easily accessible from this main road while various schools, service stations, industrial areas and the Northern Suburbs is on route. Montana Primary School is situated to the left, while Cape Town International Airport and the Airport industrial zone can also be accessed from here. Robert Sobukwe road is a popular route for traveling to the University of the Western Cape and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Netreg train station is located a few metres away while Bellville Station is 10 km away. Several mountains located in Stellenbosch (38Km away) can be seen in the distance.