MITCHELL'S PLAIN
TELLING IT AS IT IS
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STRANDFONTEIN: FAMILIES MOVED TO 7DE LAAN
Squ atter ssquabbles quabbles Squatter LAILA MAJIET
relocated to Strandfontein. “We only want the best for our children. Living in such a volatile environment is no way for a child to grow up. It is a lot more peaceful here,” she explains. Kampher rebuilt her shack in 7de Laan with the help of City officials. “The officials provided us with a starter kit of zinc sheets, plastic sheeting and nails. Using that and some of my own materials which the City had helped transport to Strandfontein, my husband and I built a large home for our family,” she explains. However, with only six zinc sheets, black plastic sheeting has been used as a roof. Mandy van Willingh has been living in Strandfontein for 35 years. She has been volunteering at the 7de Laan informal settlement for several years, helping the squatters empower themselves. She also assists to feed 7de Laan residents. Rubbing her up the wrong way is the relocation of families from Uitkykbos. “The 7de Laan informal settlement is being allowed to mushroom out of control as City officials and Law Enforcement bring in families from outside of Strandfontein. We do not want a Blikkiesdorp on our doorstep,” Van Willingh explains. Ward committee member Bernie Clarke believes the squatter camp devalues properties in the area. “Our properties are being threatened. There has been a notable increase in house breakins since these informal settlements popped up,” she says. To page 2
A dangerous life in the slum is a thing of the past for five families from the Uitkykbos informal settlement. After years of living in shacks next to Lansdowne Road in Hanover Park, the families are now “living happily on prime location near the beach” in Strandfontein. However, Strandfontein residents are up in arms about their new neighbours. City of Cape Town officials relocated the families last Monday to the 7de Laan informal settlement just off Spine Road. Uitkykbos is on a road reserve which means electricity cables cannot be installed for the 13 or so families living there, prompting the relocation. Some of the families had been living at the Hanover Park shackland for over 10 years, without flushing toilets and electricity. But they say this was the least of their worries as crime was rife in the small community. With only 45 people living in the tiny settlement hidden between trees off Lansdowne Road, some say drug smuggling and violent crimes were rampant. Magdalene Kampher (47) had been living at Uitkykbos for a year after life on the streets. Her home in Hanover Park had been gutted in a blaze in 2007, leaving her and her family homeless. With three children – aged nine, 12 and 14 – Kampher is glad to have
NEW HOME: Residents from Uitkykbos are one big family and gather around the fire every morning for breakfast. With a hot serving of coffee and porridge, the older children prepare a meal for their elders. PHOTO: LAILA MAJIET
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