About
Alexandra
1.2 million people / 2.2 square miles
Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub, is a city of stark contrasts. The disparity between wealth and poverty within the city’s borders is striking, with Sandton’s bustling financial district located right next to Alexandra, one of the city’s most impoverished and underdeveloped townships. While Alexandra has 1.2 million residents packed into just 2 square miles, typical communities in Northern Virginia, where I’m from, have a population density of around 950 people per square mile.
My parents lived in Morningside, a residential area within Sandton’s central business district. They often shared stories about Alexandra, which represented the risks and challenges associated with life in South Africa – a place which many avoided due to its reputation for crime and car-jacking. Yet, instead of turning away, we were drawn to Alexandra, recognizing the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a community needing support.
