October 6th, 2009
The team that has been meeting with the City with regard to upgrading/improving the fire/starter kits has shared many ideas of how we would like to respond prior to and following a fire.
This weekend marked the ‘launch’ of our ideas into action. On Saturday at 2pm people who were attending the forum got word that there was a fire at Cemetery Village. Those from Cemetery village quickly left the meeting. Vuyani (one of the members of the team meeting with the city) called me. We discussed the situation and it was agreed that he leave the meeting and go
and assess the situation. On arrival at the scene he found 6 shacks that had been burnt. Immediately we decided to contact the Principle Field Officer PFO of that area (who has also been part of our meetings).
Vuyani did not have enough airtime and asked if I could call Gerald. I did and he agreed to send 6 starter packs this morning. I gave him Vuyani’s contact details and this morning city officials contacted Vuyani and delivered the 6 starter packs.
Tomorrow Melvyn, Vuyani and two Ikhayalami staff members will go onto site to see if people need additional material. According to Vuyani only three families are short with material. They will assess and then we will see how what additional support is needed.
We have succeeded in building up a working relationship with the PFO’s and this has and ought to in future stand us in good stead. Well done Vuyani!!!
Posted in Baan Mankong, Cape Town, iKhayalami constructions | No Comments »
August 28th, 2009
This paper describes the ambitious national slum and squatter upgrading programme launched by the Thai government in 2003 and imple-mented through the Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI). The programme centres on providing infrastructure subsidies and housing loans to low-income communities to support upgrading in situ wherever possible and, if not, to develop new homes close by. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Academic paper, Thailand | No Comments »
August 27th, 2009
South African government departments and development agencies have been visiting Brazil in droves, eager to learn from that country’s recent success.
Between 2003 and 2007, prior to the financial crisis, economic growth in Brazil averaged 5% a year — its best performance in more than 25 years.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Brazil, News articles | No Comments »
August 27th, 2009
Find attached an article that appeared in the Cape Argus on 25th August 2009 detailing the recent report back by the community of Joe Slovo, Langa, Cape Town, in regards to their enumeration.
Posted in Joe Slovo, News articles | No Comments »
August 26th, 2009
I can certainly see the logic behind saving the hand that feeds you, after all one never knows when they might be in need of a giving hand. Besides, biting is neither cool nor is it friendly! But, what of the case where that same hand promises to feed you and does not? what does one do then? Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Cape Town, Joe Slovo, Langa | No Comments »
August 24th, 2009
Today at 16h30, as the community of Joe Slovo, we will be holding a media briefing around the enumeration of the whole settlement of Joe Slovo. We have done a detailed survey and we need to share this information with the public because we assert that we, as the community, can do development work ourselves.
This is our first step toward a people-centred development where the people of the community rather than bureaucratic government officials are in control.
The press conference will be held in Chris Hani Hall in the centre of Joe Slovo and community members will be in attendance as well.
We have invited government officials and the MEC Housing has confirmed his attendance for this press conference.
For more information and directions, contact Mzwanele Zulu 076-385-2369 and 082-670-2068
Posted in Cape Town, Langa | 1 Comment »
August 24th, 2009
Insufficient and inadequate housing for the urban poor has a long history in South Africa, as in other African cities. Nearly one-fifth of urban households in South Africa reside in an informal dwelling. While most live in informal settlements, significant proportions have erected informal structures (essentially ‘shacks’) in the backyard of another property, a distinctly South African phenomenon. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Academic paper, Backyard dwellers, Cape Town, Politics | No Comments »
August 18th, 2009
The forum started with a welcome by Roland and prayers. Roland asked that one representative from each organisation represent on behalf of each organisation. At the end of the forum, people would have the opportunity to talk to one another to discuss their problems and exchange contact details etc. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Dialogue Forum, Langa, Macassar, Manenberg | No Comments »
August 16th, 2009
This paper describes the formation and development of Slum/Shack Dwellers International (SDI), an international people’s organization which represents member federations of urban poor and homeless groups from 11 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Academic paper, Shack/Slum Dwellers International (SDI) | No Comments »
August 7th, 2009
At least two former top City of Cape Town officials involved in authorising a R12-million contract for an IT company to manage the N2 Gateway project could be prosecuted for their “negligence” and “wasteful expenditure” – three years after leaving the city council. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Cape Town, Langa, News articles, Politics | No Comments »