This data story covers South Africa’s long and difficult history with spatial segregation. Apartheid-era legislation in South Africa led to both insecure land rights and a lack of housing for the majority of South Africa’s population, that continues to this day. The story takes readers through a history of 100 years of informal settlements in South Africa, giving insights into: Informal settlements before a during apartheid: a look at the past; The post-apartheid response to informal settlements: rethinking housing challenges; and The current understanding of informal settlements: moving on up.