Housing

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