Reference

The South African township that served as a cultural center for African jazz before its destruction was Sophiatown. Sophiatown, located in Johannesburg, was a vibrant and multi-racial community renowned for its music, arts, and cultural energy, making it a hub for jazz and other forms of urban African culture during the 1940s and 1950s. It was forcibly destroyed under the apartheid regime, which led to the displacement of its residents.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the Wikipedia page on Sophiatown.