In 1955, the
Germiston and
Alberton municipalities swapped land and the latter received part of the land that made up the Natalspruit area, which was needed to form a new black township. From 1958-59, the Alberton municipality begun to develop a new township on the
Palmietfontein section. The hostels were created for 2500 men but by the 1980s the population residing in them had risen to as high as 13,000 split along ethnic, social and language groups. The board would fail to alleviate the shortages of land and housing for the black population region, with most of financial resources provided used to manage the board itself.
Traditional use of the name Thokoza is a Zulu based word that is a form of greeting to South African shamans of a South African spiritual tradition. Zulu shamans may also be known as traditional healers or sangomas. The greeting is a dignified, respectful way to greet a South African shaman, typically a woman, while kneeling, followed by a cupping of the hands, right over left, and clapping twice. One greets to show acknowledgement of another person, to show that they are seen. To greet a Zulu shaman you can say, “Thokoza Gogo,” or “Thokoza Umkhulu.” When you greet a Zulu shaman with these terms you do not only greet the Zulu shaman but you also greet the Great Spirits they walk with, the Ancestors of the Light, they walk with. “I, and all of my ancestors greet you, and all of your ancestors with joy!” ==References==