Image created by AI

Blikkiesdorp Residents Protest Over Prolonged Housing Crisis

Published March 09, 2024
1 years ago

Blikkiesdorp, a settlement in Delft, a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa, has become a symbol of broken promises and delayed government action as residents took to the streets in protest. The air smolders with the scent of burnt tyres following a demonstration that disrupted traffic on Symphony Way. The community's outcry stems from the City's failure to fulfill housing promises made over a decade ago.


The protest was a visceral manifestation of years of frustration experienced by the Blikkiesdorp inhabitants. Residents like Patricia Manuel, who anticipated a temporary six-month stay since her relocation in 2010, now face a grim reality. The settlement's temporary shelters have deteriorated badly, compelling residents to use their limited resources for repairs. Families are burdened with makeshift measures to combat leaky roofs, especially as rain pervades their living spaces during the winter months.


The community's plight is further exacerbated by inadequate sanitation facilities. With communal toilets damaged and lacking doors, some residents have taken the risky initiative to install toilets inside their shacks for their children's welfare. However, the sanitation mishap doesn’t end here. Blikkiesdorp battles with blocked stormwater drains and rampant illegal dumping, adding environmental hazards to their list of hardships.


The settlement is also plagued by frequent electricity outages due to illegal connections that damage transformers. Desperation has led residents, like Manuel, to collect firewood from nearby bushes to cook meals outdoors. The dire situation has raised significant health and safety concerns, notably when emergency services are deterred by criminal activities, leaving the community vulnerable during the night.


Long-time resident Fagria Brett, alongside her ailing husband and grandson, endures the unforgiving cold and leaks in their shack. As a hopeful applicant for a house since 1994, her patience is wearing thin, mirroring the discontent of many others in the settlement who have been on the waiting list for years.


Long-awaited relief was anticipated when the Blikkiesdorp community was promised a transition into the new RDP houses as part of the Access City housing project. Unfortunately, as resident Andrew Badenhorst reported, the project came to a halt amidst disturbing developments of "murder and extortion," leaving residents in limbo.


City official Carl Pophaim addressed the protest, shedding light on Blikkiesdorp’s official designation, which was against the backdrop of housing emergencies. While he indicated that qualified residents received housing over the years, the actual pace and extent of these relocations remain under scrutiny. Pophaim also clarified that the electricity responsibility falls under Eskom, distancing the City from direct blame.


Despite Pophaim's comments, the core issue persists: residents feel abandoned and neglected, especially as the City appears to overlook the illegal dumps contaminating their environment. The resolute community of Blikkiesdorp continues to demand concrete solutions, as their everyday reality is crippled by the lack of proper housing and essential services.


The protest is a cry for help—a plea for authorities to prioritize their circumstances and to acknowledge the urgency of their living conditions. As Blikkiesdorp remains in the spotlight, the City of Cape Town faces intense pressure to expedite housing projects and restore dignity to a community that has waited far too long.



Leave a Comment

Rate this article:

Please enter email address.
Looks good!
Please enter your name.
Looks good!
Please enter a message.
Looks good!
Please check re-captcha.
Looks good!
Leave the first review