Housing

Blikkiesdorp residents accuse ACSA and City of deciding their future without them

It has taken eight months for the residents of Blikkiesdorp to be given access to an agreement between the City of Cape Town and Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). The agreement outlines ACSA’s plans to purchase the land on which the Blikkiesdorp residents are currently residing and rehouse them.

Ashleigh Furlong

News | 28 May 2015

“It’s not a life I would wish on anyone, but this is home to us”

A group of homeless people who live under the bridge behind the Castle of Good Hope have over the past few months gathered funds to buy small tents in a bid to fight off the winter chill.

Barbara Maregele

Feature | 27 May 2015

Fatal shack fire shatters a Khayelitsha family

Four young cousins died in a shack fire in Golishe Crescent, U-Section, Site B, Khayelitsha on Monday night.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 26 May 2015

Conflict in Stellenbosch mars housing development

Stellenbosch shack fire survivors have expressed anxiety about the involvement of the ANC dominated Kayamandi Development Forum (KDF) in their new government housing development project.

Mandla Mnyakama and GroundUp Staff

News | 25 May 2015

When the state neglects property rights

Fridges, stoves, furniture, televisions and microwaves are just some of the goods that residents claim are taken or damaged during evictions. Shack building materials are taken too. But what exactly happens to these goods once they are taken away? And what does the law say?

Mary-Anne Gontsana

Feature | 22 May 2015

Living in a bathroom for 20 years

Nomusa Mthembu, 57, has been living in a bathroom in Thornville, Pietermaritzburg, for more than two decades.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 19 May 2015

Awful stench overwhelms neighbourhood

The smell from blocked drains and stagnant water in Philippi Temporary Relocation Area is so bad, that some residents hardly leave their houses.

Nombulelo Damba

Feature | 18 May 2015

Athlone residents oppose informal settlement upgrade

Some residents of the predominantly coloured lower-middle class suburb of Belgravia Estate in Athlone are opposed to an upgrade of the neighbouring predominantly black informal settlement of Vygieskraal.

Barbara Maregele

News | 18 May 2015

City calls for homeless shelters to apply for aid

As the number of homeless people seeking assistance is expected to increase during winter, the City of Cape Town has invited non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and shelters to apply for aid.

Barbara Maregele

Brief | 18 May 2015