Housing
Hangberg: mixed reaction to new housing development
For the first time since a violent clash between residents and law enforcement in 2010, development of new housing is proceeding in Hangberg, Hout Bay. 142 new rental units are being built.
Barbara Maregele
News | 8 May 2014
Elandskloof 18 years after restitution
The Elandskloof community, forcefully removed from their land in 1962, was the first successful restitution case in post-apartheid South Africa. Yet, the way the process has unfolded, has left several community members feeling angry and frustrated, 18 years after their historic victory.
Joshua Maserow and Jason Jardem
News | 14 April 2014
New owners accuse provincial government of shoddy development
Dream homes have become nightmares for several residents of a government-housing development known as Fountainhead. Situated in Blue Downs the development is a joint partnership of the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements and Motlekar Cape.
Johnnie Isaac
Feature | 31 March 2014
MK veterans and Upington 26 murder trialists claim exceptionalism
In Upington, 40 four-roomed RDP-size houses reserved for ex-political prisoners and MK veterans were occupied in the course of 2013. None of the occupiers have to date paid for municipal services and some are subletting their properties.
Selby Nomnganga
News | 19 March 2014
Landmark eviction judgment in Cape High Court
The Prevention of Illegal Eviction From and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (PIE) was meant to be a clear break with the many pieces of legislation the apartheid regime used to legalise the forced removal of black people from their land.
Zenande Booi
News | 14 March 2014
How the state delivered PR instead of services to Madibeng
Public outrage followed after protestors died in January while demonstrating against problems with water service delivery in Madibeng. Until then the state’s actions in Madibeng produced PR, but failed to lead to any meaningful engagement with those directly affected by the failures of the municipality.
Koketso Moeti
Opinion | 26 February 2014
Back to the land: an interview with Constance Mogale
“This is my passion -- what I’ve known half my life,” fulminates Constance Mogale, the director the Land Action Movement of South Africa (LAMOSA), from her fifth floor office in Khotso House, Johannesburg.
Joshua Maserow
News | 25 February 2014
Less than 2km of Upington street paved after a year
An expanded public works project in Upington to pave three streets of 1.8km is incomplete a year later and no account can be given of the project by the Department of Public Works, the local municipality, or the responsible councillor.
Selby Nomnganga
News | 5 February 2014
Phillipi settlement battle highlights housing problems
On 7 and 8 January, the City of Cape Town’s Anti-Land Invasion Unit demolished more than 40 homes at the Marikana settlement in Philippi East. There has been ongoing conflict between the City and the residents who have settled on this plot of privately owned land just off Symphony Way.
Sibusiso Tshabalala
Feature | 15 January 2014