Housing

Tsunami residents demand new land

More than 100 residents of Tsunami informal settlement in Delft marched to the offices of MEC of Human Settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela demanding to be moved to new land with services.

Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik

News | 24 June 2015

We are wrong to celebrate CEOs for pretending to be poor for 12 hours

We're a generation of clicktivists, incessantly raising awareness for a wide assortment of causes and social justice issues. But we rarely follow through with any tangible action or put our money where our ‘shares’ are. So, logically, we should be lauding those attempting to deliver actual change by attempting to physically address societal problems.

Natasha Skoryk and Caitlin Spring

Opinion | 24 June 2015

Joe Slovo residents queue for water

The City of Cape Town and residents of the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Langa will meet this week to discuss the installation of additional taps in the area.

Barbara Maregele

News | 24 June 2015

De Waal Drive residents’ option to stay on, for now

On the weekend, some tenants at the De Waal Drive flats received notices that they can stay on, provided they pay their rentals going forward. In this latest message to the residents, the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements has asserted a softer approach than it had done in the past. The change has been welcomed.

GroundUp Staff

Brief | 23 June 2015

Ses’khona leaders rendered homeless

Three Ses’khona leaders from Mfuleni Garden City informal settlement were left homeless after residents demolished their shacks on Saturday, accusing them of “selling” open spaces.

Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik

News | 23 June 2015

Minister to be consulted on evictions

Private and public landowners will have to notify the Minister of Human Settlements before evicting people from their land, if a proposal being discussed in government becomes law.

GroundUp Staff

News | 22 June 2015

Wynberg residents resist MyCiti bus plans

Residents in Wynberg and Plumstead were still up in arms on Wednesday over the new planned MyCiti bus route. They claim it has not involved true public participation. If implemented as currently proposed, many families will have to be evicted and the social character of Wynberg will be changed.

Ashleigh Furlong

News | 19 June 2015

More poo protests looming

At 4am on Wednesday, Cape Town police used teargas and rubber bullets to prevent a group of about 50 residents from Barcelona informal settlement dumping buckets full of human waste onto the N2 highway. Residents said their buckets have not been collected or cleaned for the past four months.

Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik

News | 18 June 2015

Lwandle: accusations and counter-accusations

Lwandle’s residents intend to protest on the N2 because they say they are being neglected by SANRAL, the City of Cape Town and the Housing Development Agency (HDA).

Pharie Sefali

News | 12 June 2015

De Waal Drive residents assured they will not be evicted - if they pay

De Waal Drive tenants were assured on Thursday evening by Western Cape MEC for Human Settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela that they will not be evicted unless they are not paying their rent. Madikizela reiterated this point at a press conference this morning.

Ashleigh Furlong

News | 12 June 2015

Site C’s Good Samaritan sharing the little she has

Going to bed on an empty stomach is not something new for Noxolo Mafilika of Site C Taiwan Informal Settlement. The 37-year-old mother of two has been sharing the little she has with the Sibhozo boys who lost their grandmother early this year. GroundUp published their story on 23 April.

Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik

News | 11 June 2015

What it is like to live in Masiphumelele

The Wetlands informal settlement of Masiphumelele is home to over 20,000 people. It is a jumble of corrugated iron shacks and electrical wires. The smell of sewage and rubbish fills the air. Among the many problems its residents face are a lack of toilets and taps for water.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 11 June 2015

Should Blikkiesdorp move, or the airport?

Apparently, it was Benjamin Franklin who said, “You fail to plan, and you plan to fail.” This axiom was repeated to me by a Blikkiesdorp community member.

Alison Tilley

Opinion | 9 June 2015

Coping with chronic epilepsy while living in a shack: one family’s story

Siphokazi Rululu (14) and her father, Ayanda Qhara, both suffer from chronic epilepsy. Her mother leaves for work in a restaurant chain kitchen at 6am and returns at 7pm four-days a week. Siphokazi’s sister, who is seven years old, must sometimes care for her family during these times.

Pharie Sefali

News | 9 June 2015

De Waal Drive tenants mobilise against potential evictions

The De Waal Drive tenants’ campaign to resist relocation to Pelican Park is gaining momentum. This weekend signatures from most tenants to ratify their elected committee were gathered, and yesterday the committee had a strategic session with the South Road Families Association (SRFA).

Daneel Knoetze

Opinion | 8 June 2015

Lwandle one year later: still no resolution

On 2 and 3 June a year ago the residents of Lwandle Strand were evicted from the SANRAL-owned land that they were occupying. Besides losing their homes, many also lost their belongings. Yesterday, the evicted residents of Lwandle protested despite heavy rains, demanding to be listened to about their problems.

Pharie Sefali

News | 3 June 2015