Resisting Relocation: The Sikiti Informal Settlement’s Fight for Dignity
In the bustling town of Butterworth, nestled in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, a community is standing its ground against the looming threat of relocation. The residents of Sikiti informal settlement have made this area their home for decades, building lives and livelihoods despite the lack of basic services. Now, as the local municipality pushes for their removal, these resilient shack dwellers are saying, “No, we won’t move.”
The Struggle for Adequate Sanitation
Sikiti informal settlement is a stark example of the water and sanitation crisis facing many marginalized communities in South Africa. With hundreds of families crammed into the settlement, the struggle for access to clean water and proper sanitation is a daily battle. “Each pit toilet is shared by ten to 15 families,” explains Baxolile Myeko, a resident who has lived in Sikiti since 1995. “Most residents relieve themselves in bushes, or use plastic bags which they throw in the river.”
The lack of a reliable waste management system has created a public health hazard, with raw sewage often spilling into the surrounding environment. “The electricity overload has led to a malfunction of the sewer pump, which led to a constant spillage of raw excrement and posed a major health hazard for the people who live there, especially innocent children,” said Loyiso Mpalantshane, a spokesperson for the Mnquma Local Municipality.
Improvising Water Access
In the face of municipal neglect, the residents of Sikiti have taken matters into their own hands, pooling their meager resources to install a makeshift water supply system. “Each house donated R5 and they managed to install three taps and opened two pipes from old factories,” Myeko recounts. “This year two more taps were installed with the help of the ward councillor.”
While this self-made water network has provided some relief, it remains an inadequate and precarious solution. “Residents rely on a water supply they installed for themselves,” the article notes, highlighting the community’s resilience in the face of an unresponsive local government.
Relocation Promises and Broken Commitments
The Mnquma Local Municipality has long recognized the unsuitability of Sikiti for human habitation, describing the land as “not suitable for human habitation” in 2019. The municipality has proposed relocating the residents to serviced sites in the nearby Zizamele area, promising access to essential services and the potential for proper housing.
However, the shack dwellers have grown wary of these promises, fearing that they will be “forgotten,” just like the residents of Zizamele and the nearby Eugene settlement. “We know for a fact that once we agree to move, we will never receive the houses,” Myeko laments, recalling the broken commitments of the past.
Persistent Advocacy and the Pursuit of Dignified Housing
Despite the municipality’s relocation plans, the residents of Sikiti refuse to give in to the pressure. They have persistently advocated for their right to adequate housing, engaging with various government departments and demanding the fulfillment of past promises.
In 2015, residents were promised RDP (Reconstruction and Development Program) houses, but the commitments were never realized. “Then after 2015, officials went quiet about the RDP houses until 2019 when we were now told about serviced sites again,” Myeko explains. “We made it very clear that we want houses, nothing else.”
The residents’ determination to secure proper housing has driven them to continue engaging with the authorities. In 2022, the Department of Human Settlements visited the settlement, but failed to provide any concrete solutions. “The officials promised to come back but that never happened,” Myeko laments, highlighting the ongoing battle for dignified living conditions.
Accessibility Challenges and the Fight for Inclusion
Among the Sikiti residents, Nozipho Mvila, a wheelchair user, exemplifies the unique struggles faced by those with disabilities in the informal settlement. “I really thought the officials would consider my condition,” she says, recounting her decade-long wait for an RDP house. “I hate this place but I don’t have a choice. This is my only home. At least it is close to town and the clinic, if I don’t have money to hire transport I can still push myself in my wheelchair.”
Mvila’s story underscores the need for inclusive development strategies that address the specific needs of marginalized groups within informal settlements. As the municipality continues to push for relocation, the residents of Sikiti remain steadfast in their demand for a more equitable and accessible future.
Fostering Community Resilience and Solidarity
The residents of Sikiti have not only faced the physical challenges of their living conditions but also the psychological toll of uncertainty and threats. Community leaders interviewed by GroundUp refused to be named, fearing “threats going around” after being “accused of blocking the relocation” in a recent meeting with officials.
Despite these pressures, the Sikiti community has demonstrated remarkable resilience and solidarity. Young people have found innovative ways to earn a living, using shopping trolleys to assist shoppers in the nearby town center. The residents have also come together to improvise basic services, such as the self-funded water supply system.
This collective spirit and unwavering determination to remain in their homes serve as a testament to the resilience of the Sikiti community. As they continue to resist relocation and advocate for their rights, they are not only fighting for their own dignity but also setting an example for marginalized communities across South Africa.
Towards a Just and Sustainable Future
The story of the Sikiti informal settlement is a microcosm of the water and sanitation challenges faced by millions of South Africans living in informal settlements. It highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive, community-driven approach to addressing these issues.
As the Joint Action for Water community, we are committed to amplifying the voices of residents like those in Sikiti, advocating for their right to clean water, adequate sanitation, and dignified housing. By partnering with local authorities, civil society organizations, and community leaders, we can foster sustainable solutions that prioritize the needs and aspirations of marginalized communities.
Through continued advocacy, innovative service delivery models, and a steadfast commitment to inclusivity, we can work towards a future where no one is left behind in the quest for water and sanitation justice. The resilience and determination of the Sikiti residents serve as an inspiration, reminding us that with collective action, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges.
