Explore Bishop Lavis With Our Suburb Guide

Bishop Lavis lies about 15 kilometres east of Cape Town’s centre, close enough to the airport that you can hear the planes. In 2001, around 44,000 people lived there, mostly Afrikaans-speaking Coloured families.

The suburb was one of many built under apartheid. Non-white families were pushed out of their homes and packed into areas marked for them, while the land they left behind was declared “white only.” Bishop Lavis became one of those new beginnings, built out of forced change.

History of Bishop Lavis

Bishop Lavis was named after Sidney Warren Lavis, a man deeply involved in church and community work. After studying in Canterbury, he became a curate at St Paul’s Anglican Church and later founded the St Augustine Cricket Club in 1899. 

He cared about creating opportunities for young people and improving the lives of families living in poor conditions. Lavis later became the Dean of Cape Town and, in 1931, the Coadjutor Bishop. He was also one of the first people to receive the Freedom of the City.

If you’re interested in how other suburbs got their names, read this article: How These 11 Cape Flats Suburbs Got Their Names.

The first stage of Bishop Lavis began in 1941, when the Citizens’ Housing League built 400 houses; more followed under Communicare in the 1950s. What started as a forced settlement has become a long-standing community where many families have deep roots.

Nearby Suburbs

Bishop Lavis is bordered by several other notable suburbs: Bonteheuwel lies to the west, Elsies River to the north, Matroosfontein to the south, and Belhar to the east. The main thoroughfares running through the area are Myrtle Road and Lavis Drive.

Public Transport in Bishop Lavis

Public transport is a key part of daily life in Bishop Lavis. Minibus taxis and Golden Arrow buses are the most common options.

• Taxi Routes: The main routes run between Bishop Lavis, Elsies River, and Parow Hyperama.
  
• Bus Routes: Golden Arrow buses connect the suburb to Bellville, Durbanville, and Langa.
  
• Train Station: The Lavistown Train Station sits at the northern edge of Bishop Lavis, linking residents to nearby suburbs and central Cape Town.

Bishop Lavis Town Centre

The town centre is the local shopping hub where residents buy groceries, grab takeaways, and take care of everyday errands. It is always busy, especially on weekends.

Shops and Services:

• KFC Bishop Lavis
• Hungry Lion Bishop Lavis
• Shoprite
• Pep Bishop Lavis
• Maw & Paw Pet Shop
• Lavis Hardware Store
• Micro Care Pharmacy
• Lavis Cash & Carry
• Green Market
• Polar Ice Cream
• Fantastic Food Court
• 3 Star Fisheries
• Bishop Lavis Post Office

Banking:
ATMs for Absa, FNB, Standard Bank, and Nedbank are all available within the centre.

Places of Interest

Bishop Lavis Civic Centre

A popular venue for weddings, birthday celebrations, and corporate gatherings. It includes ablution facilities, a conference room, a kitchen, and a stage.

Bishop Lavis Sports Field

This large sports ground supports cricket, soccer, and rugby throughout the year. It has separate fields for summer and winter, floodlights for evening games, and access for people with disabilities.

Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court

Located at the corner of Myrtle and Valhalla Drive, the court handles minor criminal and civil cases. It drew national attention in December 2024 when it was set alight after public unrest linked to a police raid.

SAPS Academy Bishop Lavis

A key police training centre that runs the Basic Police Development Learning Programme for recruits. Trainees receive both legal and practical instruction before joining the force to serve communities across South Africa.

Bishop Lavis Housing Office

The Housing Office assists residents with municipal housing services on behalf of the City of Cape Town.

Schools

The suburb has several primary and secondary schools attended by learners from Bishop Lavis and neighbouring areas:

• Bishop Lavis Primary School
• Riverton Primary School
• Helderberg Primary School
• Lavisrylaan Primary School
• Bishop Lavis Secondary School
• Hillside Primary School
• Greenlands Primary School
• John Ramsay High School

Healthcare

Bishop Lavis has several clinics and private practices offering general and maternity care:

• Bishop Lavis Clinic
  
• Bishop Lavis Maternity Clinic
  
• Dr A G Abduraghman
  
• Dr Ebrahim M
  
• Dr Allie Ahmed A
  
• Dr Arnold H.M.A

Crime and Safety

Bishop Lavis has long struggled with gang-related crime. Between October and December, the precinct ranked 18th in South Africa for murder, with cases increasing from 26 to 44 compared to the previous year.
High-profile incidents include:

• October 2024: Seven killed and two injured in Kogelberg Street, linked to gang conflict.
  
• July 2025: Four people were murdered in Reenberg Street; suspects were tied to local gangs.
  
• November 2022: A triple murder for which Enrico Slawers received a 57-year sentence.
  
• June 2017: Three men were killed in another gang-related attack.
  

Residents and the Bishop Lavis Community Policing Forum have called for stronger policing, better resources, and a national inquiry into the ongoing violence. In December 2024, frustrated locals set fire to the Magistrate’s Court in protest against perceived state inaction.

Noteworthy People

Bishop Lavis has produced several well-known figures in South African culture, sport, and public life:

• Paxton Fielies: Singer and winner of Idols SA 2017.
  
• Bonita Meyer: Fashion designer at Hugo Boss International.
  
• Kegan Johannes: Footballer for Mamelodi Sundowns.
  
• James Doudy: Former Mamelodi Sundowns player.
  
• Oswin Reagan Appollis: Orlando Pirates winger and attacking midfielder.
  
• Nathan Trantraal: Writer and poet.
  
• Charl Kinnear: Lieutenant Colonel of SAPS, murdered in 2020.
  
• George “Geweld” Thomas: Leader of the 28s gang.

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