Rosebank, Cape Town Explained

Rosebank
Pushpin Map:South Africa Western Cape#South Africa
Coordinates:-33.9556°N 18.4742°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:South Africa
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Western Cape
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Type3:Municipality
Subdivision Name3:City of Cape Town
Subdivision Type4:Main Place
Established Title:Established
Leader Title:Councillor
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:1.10
Population Total:4963
Population As Of:2011
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Racial makeup (2011)
Demographics1 Title1:Black African
Demographics1 Info1:44.8%
Demographics1 Title2:Coloured
Demographics1 Info2:8.7%
Demographics1 Title3:Indian/Asian
Demographics1 Info3:5.5%
Demographics1 Title4:White
Demographics1 Info4:37.9%
Demographics1 Title5:Other
Demographics1 Info5:3.1%
Demographics Type2:First languages (2011)
Demographics2 Title1:English
Demographics2 Info1:64.7%
Demographics2 Title2:Afrikaans
Demographics2 Info2:9.3%
Demographics2 Title3:Xhosa
Demographics2 Info3:5.7%
Demographics2 Title4:Zulu
Demographics2 Info4:2.4%
Demographics2 Title5:Other
Demographics2 Info5:17.9%
Timezone1:SAST
Utc Offset1:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code (street)
Postal Code:7700
Postal2 Code Type:PO box
Area Code Type:Area code
Area Code:(021) 685

Rosebank is one of the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa, located between the suburbs of Mowbray and Rondebosch.

Geography

Rosebank is located on the lower eastern slope of Devil's Peak, stretching down to the Liesbeeck River, and on the other side of the river up to the edge of Rondebosch Common. On the west it is bounded by the M3 freeway. The historic Mostert's Mill is located just next to the freeway. Much of the land between the M3 and Main Road, which runs north-south through the suburb, belongs to the University of Cape Town and is used for residences and sports fields. The area around Main Road is a mixture of university residences, shops and blocks of flats.

Parallel to Main Road, and one block east from it, the Metrorail Southern Line divides Rosebank in half; Rosebank railway station is the main public transport facility in the suburb. There are no road crossings of the railway in Rosebank; the nearest are the Durban Road bridge in Mowbray to the north and the Belmont Road bridge in Rondebosch to the south. There are, however, several pedestrian subways under the railway.

The area east of the railway, as far as Liesbeek Parkway, contains a mixture of blocks of flats and detached houses; many of the residences in this area are occupied by students from the university. The Cape Town offices of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the South African Bureau of Standards are also located here. Liesbeek Parkway is a dual carriageway which runs north-south through the suburb, running mostly parallel to the Liesbeeck River. East of Liesbeek Parkway and the river is an area of larger houses, with a more affluent population. Also located in this area is Rustenburg Girls' High School.

Population

According to the 2011 Census, the population of Rosebank consisted of 4,963 people in 1,343 households. 45% of the population described themselves as "Black African", 38% as "White", 9% as "Coloured" and 6% as "Indian or Asian". Of those who were asked about their first language (which excluded those in university residences), 65% spoke English, 9% spoke Afrikaans and 6% spoke isiZulu. Notably, 12% spoke a language that was not one of South Africa's 11 official languages.[1] 50% of residents of the suburb live in institutions (principally university residences), 30% live in flats, and 19% live in houses. Over 99% of residents had mains electricity, piped drinking water, a flush toilet and regular refuse collection.

References

  1. Web site: Sub Place Rosebank . Census 2011.