Complex sentence: In the midwinter of 1979, the vast slum of Botshahbelo/Overwacht just outside Thaba Nchu, had a population of 200 000 by early 1983.
Split into simpler sentences: In the midwinter of 1979, the vast slum of Botshahbelo/Overwacht just outside Thaba Nchu started emerging. It had a population of 200 000 by early 1983.