Informal Settlements Demand Basic Rights: A Plea for Water, Sanitation, and Electricity
In a powerful display of resilience and collective action, residents of the “Gate 7” informal settlement in Cape Town, South Africa, recently blocked the busy Voortrekker Road, drawing attention to their long-standing struggle for access to essential services. This protest, sparked by 30 years of neglect, highlights the pressing need for the local government to address the basic human rights of these marginalized communities.
Decades of Displacement and Deprivation
The land on which the “Gate 7” settlement is built belongs to the Ndabeni Communal Property Trust, formed to benefit families who were forcibly moved from their land during the apartheid era. Despite the Trust’s request for the City of Cape Town and the national government to relocate the residents, the people living in the shacks have nowhere else to go. They have been forced to carve out a life on this contested land, enduring the daily challenges of living without basic amenities.
Funeka Mayongo, a resident of Gate 7 for the past 20 years, eloquently captures the community’s frustration: “I voted several times, but no one is helping me.” With most of the more than 500 people living on the land unemployed, the lack of water, toilets, and electricity has become a crushing burden.
Dehumanizing Conditions and Health Risks
The absence of essential services has taken a significant toll on the residents’ well-being and dignity. Nomaphelo Bevu, a mother of an 8-year-old autistic child, struggles to provide proper care for her son without access to water and sanitation. “We have no toilets,” she laments. “We have to relieve ourselves in the surrounding bush, which is very unhygienic.”
The unsanitary conditions not only compromise the community’s health but also deprive children of the opportunity to play safely outdoors. As Bevu poignantly states, “The environment here smells of poo, and children can’t play outside.”
Constant Threat of Eviction and Intimidation
Adding to the residents’ plight is the ongoing threat of eviction and intimidation from law enforcement officials. Doris Thorne, who lives on the Kensington side of the cemetery, recounts the traumatic experience of having her shack demolished three times in the past decade. “Every time we ask for basic services, we are told you have never signed a paper to stay here,” she says, expressing the community’s deep sense of insecurity and lack of belonging.
Ndabeni Nomaphelo, a community leader, echoes this sentiment, asking, “If we don’t belong here, we should then be taken to where we belong.” This plea for dignity and a rightful place to call home underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive solution that addresses the root causes of this crisis.
Broken Promises and the Call for Collaborative Action
The residents’ frustration is further compounded by the perceived inaction of local authorities. Ward Councillor Helen Jacobs acknowledges the City’s inability to provide services on privately owned land without the landowner’s permission, but the Ndabeni Trust has been unwilling to grant such approval.
Phillip Nyalungu Mzamani, the organizer of the protest, argues that “whether you are on private land or illegal occupation, water and toilets are fundamental human rights.” This sentiment reflects a growing consensus among housing rights advocates and community organizers that access to basic services should not be contingent on land ownership status.
The recent meeting between the protesters, the City, and Councillor Jacobs has raised hope for a collaborative solution. However, the residents remain cautious, emphasizing that they will continue to protest until they see tangible progress. As Doris Thorne states, “If we don’t get positive results, we are not going to stop protesting.”
Toward a Future of Dignity and Opportunity
The plight of the Gate 7 and 18 Avenue informal settlements in Cape Town is a microcosm of the broader challenge facing many marginalized communities across South Africa. The lack of access to water, sanitation, and electricity not only perpetuates a cycle of poverty but also denies these residents the fundamental human rights they deserve.
As a seasoned expert in water and sanitation services, community engagement, and advocacy, I believe that the path forward lies in a concerted effort by local authorities, community leaders, and civil society organizations to find sustainable solutions that prioritize the well-being and dignity of all residents. This may involve:
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Collaborative Negotiations: Facilitated discussions between the Ndabeni Communal Property Trust, the City of Cape Town, and community representatives to find a mutually agreeable plan for service provision and land use.
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Innovative Service Delivery Models: Exploring alternative service delivery mechanisms, such as community-managed water and sanitation systems, that empower residents and build long-term capacity.
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Comprehensive Development Approach: Integrating water and sanitation infrastructure with holistic interventions that address housing, education, and economic opportunities, breaking the cycle of deprivation.
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Policy Advocacy and Legal Recourse: Leveraging legal frameworks and human rights principles to advocate for the residents’ right to access basic services, regardless of land ownership status.
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Community Engagement and Empowerment: Strengthening the capacity of community-based organizations to amplify the voices of the marginalized, fostering participatory decision-making processes.
By addressing the root causes of this crisis and adopting a collaborative, rights-based approach, we can work towards a future where the residents of Gate 7 and other informal settlements in Cape Town can access the basic services and opportunities they deserve, living with dignity and hope.
The struggle for water, sanitation, and electricity in Cape Town’s informal settlements is a testament to the resilience and determination of these communities. As we stand in solidarity with their fight for basic rights, let us be inspired to champion lasting solutions that uplift the most vulnerable and create a more inclusive and just society.
To stay informed about the ongoing efforts to support these communities, I encourage you to visit the Joint Action for Water website and explore opportunities to get involved. Together, we can turn the tide and ensure that every resident of Cape Town has access to the fundamental services and rights that are the foundation of a thriving, equitable city.
