Tucked away within the bustling informality of Overcome Heights, a revolutionary project is quietly illuminating brighter prospects. Kickstarted earlier in the calendar year, this pilot project has been created to boldly confront and diminish the persistent danger of fires, which have been a longstanding menace to these communities.
The closeknit community of Blowy informal settlement in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, has shown remarkable resilience and determination to rebuild their lives and homes after a devastating fire left over 500 individuals homeless and hungry. The community is highlighting the need for innovative urban planning strategies to prevent future tragedies and urging the City of Cape Town to address overcrowding in informal settlements. Despite the challenges, NGOs and the community’s unwavering spirit are providing support and hope for a brighter future.
Tensions between residents of Mandela Park and the nearby informal settlements of Siyakhana and Siyahlala have boiled over into violent conflict over a disputed piece of land. Shack dwellers have been attacked by Mandela Park residents, resulting in the burning and destruction of their homes.
The current state of informal settlements in Cape Town is causing widespread fear and turmoil among residents. Families are evacuating two informal settlements, Siyakhana and Siyahlala, due to threats from backyarders and residents of Mandela Park. ## Backyarders Demand Housing and Threaten Eviction
On the weekend of July 24th, a devastating fire broke out in the Blowy informal settlement near Town Two in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. The fire claimed the lives of six family members and left more than a dozen people without homes.
In the Doornbach informal settlement of Dunoon, residents have been grappling with the issue of uncollected garbage since 30 June when the previous refuse collection contractor’s contract expired. ### The City’s Role
Cape Town has stated its commitment to lawfully allocate and spend funds received for upgrading 16 informal settlements in Khayelitsha. This move was necessary because of the emergence of these settlements during the Covid19 lockdown. ### Allocation Questions Raised by National Human Settlements Minister
The South African Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, and Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete will hold an imbizo in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on May 12, 2023, at 11:00 am. The purpose of this event is to engage with informal communities and provide feedback on the provision of fundamental services. The gathering follows previous government engagements aimed at addressing community leaders’ concerns.
Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete are set to engage with communities from various informal settlements in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. The imbizo, scheduled for May 12, 2023, at the Tusong MultiPurpose Centre, aims to provide feedback on the provision of basic services, discuss future plans, and strengthen the relationship between the government and the communities.
The Western Cape Government is bracing itself for a challenging winter season, made worse by cold weather and extended load shedding. During a Disaster Management Centre briefing, Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning, emphasized the importance of readiness in the face of these challenges.
The high demand for housing in Soweto has resulted in a backlog in title deeds and home allocations, forcing many people to live in informal settlements. As the area experiences an influx of people looking for work and housing, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi is calling for collaboration between the government and Soweto residents to address the challenges in the human settlements sector.
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature has launched a crimefighting initiative to reduce crime in Gauteng. The industry is led by the Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesfufi, and the MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko. The newly launched crimefighting unit plans to deploy 6,000 Crime Prevention Wardens in townships, informal settlements, and hostels to protect residents and fight crime.
The Crime Prevention Wardens (CPWs) initiative by the Gauteng Provincial Government is a significant step towards creating secure communities and eradicating crime. Due to the high number of applicants, the selection process was rigorous and aimed to identify the best candidates for the job. The CPWs will be responsible for ensuring police visibility at the ward level, which is essential in preventing and combating crime.
