Festive Lights Return to Langa and Mitchell’s Plain After 10-Year Hiatus
Dec, 7 2025
The glow of holiday lights returned to the streets of Langa and Mitchell’s Plain this December — not as a distant memory, but as a living, buzzing reality. For the first time in a decade, residents of these historically underserved townships on Cape Town’s Cape Flats gathered under twinkling LED displays, laughter echoing off corrugated roofs and the scent of grilled samp and beans filling the night air. The festive lights switch-on events Langa on December 2 and the Mitchell’s Plain festive lights Mitchell’s Plain on December 5 weren’t just pretty decorations. They were a statement — one made by Geordin Hill-Lewis, Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, who flipped the switches himself in both communities, turning a long-standing CBD tradition into something far more inclusive.
Why This Moment Matters
For decades, Cape Town’s holiday light displays were reserved for the glittering boulevards of the City Centre — a tradition that, while beloved, left behind the vast majority of its population. Langa, established in 1923 as one of the city’s first Black townships, and Mitchell’s Plain, built in the 1970s under apartheid’s forced removal policies, have long been excluded from the city’s festive spotlight. That changed in 2025. The return of the Mitchell’s Plain festive lights — first launched in 2006 and then abruptly discontinued after 2015 — felt like a reckoning. With the area set to mark its 50th anniversary in 2026, the city didn’t just revive a tradition. It honored a community’s resilience."This isn’t about optics," Mayor Hill-Lewis told reporters before the event. "It’s about belonging. If we’re a city of hope, then hope has to shine in every neighborhood — not just the ones with the highest property values."
The Details: Lights, Music, and Community
The Langa celebration unfolded along King Langalibalele Drive and Church Street, where over 50,000 energy-efficient 1-watt LED bulbs were strung across lampposts, shopfronts, and community centers. The same technology was used in Mitchell’s Plain, where the display stretched along Morgenster Road between De Duin Avenue and Victory Drive, directly in front of Westridge Garden. Each bulb uses 98% less power than traditional 60-watt incandescent lights — a quiet but powerful nod to the City of Cape Town’s 2023 Climate Change Strategy, which aims to cut municipal energy use by 15% by 2030.Local talent stole the show. From the soulful harmonies of the Langa Youth Choir to the high-energy drumming of Khayelitsha Beats, performances were curated from within the communities — not imported from downtown venues. Food stalls offered everything from bunny chow to boerewors rolls, many run by SMMEs (Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises) who’ve long struggled to access city-sponsored events. "We’ve sold at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, but never in our own backyard," said Thandi Mokoena, who runs a stall called "Mama’s Samp & Beans." "Tonight, my daughter is dancing under lights she’s only seen on TV. That’s worth more than any profit."
A City Reimagining Its Heart
The decision to expand the festivities wasn’t arbitrary. It followed years of community pressure, amplified by local media like The Plainsman and Bush Radio News, which consistently highlighted the disparity in public holiday investments. The Mitchell’s Plain Festival, held annually at Westridge Garden, has long served as a commercial and cultural hub for the Cape Flats, drawing over 100,000 people each year. Yet, until now, the city had never aligned its official holiday programming with it."The festival has always been ours," said Sharon Nkosi, administrator of the Mitchell’s Plain Festival. "But when the lights came back, it felt like the city finally recognized we’re not just a demographic — we’re a destination."
What the Road Closures Meant
Road closures on King Langalibalele Drive and Morgenster Road were met with mixed reactions. Some residents worried about access to clinics and pharmacies. But the City of Cape Town coordinated with local clinics to ensure emergency vehicles had priority, and shuttle buses were deployed from nearby transit hubs. By 7:30 PM on December 5, families were still lingering under the lights, children pointing at stars that now seemed brighter against the glow of LED constellations."I used to think Christmas was for people who lived where the roads are paved," said 72-year-old Nomsa Dlamini, who walked from her home in Langa to the event. "Now I know it’s for everyone who still believes in joy."
What’s Next?
The City of Cape Town has signaled that these events won’t be one-offs. Talks are underway to extend the tradition to Khayelitsha in 2026 and to incorporate solar-charged lighting systems — a move that could cut operational costs by nearly 40%. Mayor Hill-Lewis has committed to announcing the 2026 locations by March, with community input forming the core of planning.For now, the message is clear: celebration doesn’t require privilege. It just requires presence. And in 2025, Langa and Mitchell’s Plain were finally seen — not as places to be fixed, but as places to be celebrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Mitchell’s Plain festive lights stop in 2015?
The event was discontinued after 2015 due to budget reallocations and shifting municipal priorities, with resources redirected toward infrastructure maintenance and crime prevention. Community leaders had repeatedly requested its return, but without formal political backing, the initiative stalled for nearly a decade — until the 2025 shift in leadership and public pressure reignited the effort.
How much energy did the LED lights save compared to traditional bulbs?
The 1-watt LED bulbs used across both events consume 98% less energy than the 60-watt incandescent bulbs traditionally used in holiday displays. For the 120,000 bulbs installed, this translates to an estimated 1,800 kWh saved over the 10-day display period — enough to power 15 average Cape Town homes for a month.
Who performed at the events, and how were they selected?
All performers were local artists from Langa, Mitchell’s Plain, and Khayelitsha, selected through a public submission process managed by the City’s Arts and Culture Department. Over 80 acts applied, and 14 were chosen based on community votes and cultural representation. No external or commercial acts were featured — the focus was squarely on homegrown talent.
Will these events happen every year now?
Yes. Mayor Hill-Lewis confirmed in a December 6 press briefing that the Langa and Mitchell’s Plain events will become permanent fixtures in Cape Town’s annual calendar. Planning for 2026 is already underway, with plans to expand to Khayelitsha and integrate solar-powered lighting to further reduce costs and environmental impact.
How did residents respond to the road closures?
While some expressed initial concerns about access to services, the City deployed shuttle buses from nearby taxi ranks and coordinated with clinics to maintain emergency access. By the second night, many residents reported that the closures enhanced safety — fewer cars meant more space for children to play. Feedback surveys showed 87% approval among attendees.
What’s the connection between the festive lights and the Mitchell’s Plain Festival?
The festive lights are now officially aligned with the annual Mitchell’s Plain Festival, held at Westridge Garden. While the festival focuses on commerce and community unity year-round, the lights serve as its holiday kickoff. The City is now working with the festival organizers to create a unified calendar, turning December into a month-long celebration of Cape Flats culture.