Philippi East has a very old history and people have been staying in the area since the early 1930’s. When the apartheid laws were finalized Philippi East was classified as a black area, and therefore the black and colored people have maintained their ownerships. They sell their land to industrial developers because of the restriction to build residential dwellings in the area, due to the noise contours. This leaves Philippi with only Industrial and Commercial development potential, which is the perfect setting for the industrialist.

Klipfontein was expropriated and given to the Methodist church in the 1940’s for their “native” church grounds and activities. With the 1994 elections and the end of Apartheid they have successfully claimed the land back, which gave the 700 families staying on the land ownership in the name of the community trust. They have recently engaged in a transaction where they are selling their land in order to move to Nooiensfontein, a subsidized housing development for the families.

All the current squatter look-a-like buildings in the area are in fact owners staying on their own land. Having the minimum money but at least owning their own land.