Category Archives: Giovanna Gerbi

Eye Witness News: Relocating Blikkiesdorp residents may take 5 years

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http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=62722

Relocating Blikkiesdorp residents may take 5 years
Giovanna Gerbi | 5 Days Ago

City of Cape Town officials on Tuesday estimated that it will take between three and five years to find a permanent housing solution for residents in Blikkiesdorp.

The temporary relocation area near Delft was set up four years ago.

More than 6,000 people live in corrugated iron structures.

Eyewitness News spoke to several residents recently and many expressed dissatisfaction with their living conditions.

The city’s Housing Director Hans Smit said officials are working on relocating the residents.

“Blikkiesdorp is in fact a temporary relocating area. What we’re intending to do is as part of that project sorting out various informal settlements around the airport. We intend de-densifying the Blikkiesdorp TRA,” he said.

(Edited by Lindiwe Mlandu)

Eye Witness News: Blikkiesdorp residents long for dignity

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http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=62149

Blikkiesdorp residents long for dignity

Giovanna Gerbi | 23 Hours Ago

Some residents of the temporary relocation area Blikkiesdorp in Cape Town on Tuesday said their human rights are in tatters because their living conditions are appalling.

Eyewitness News visited the tin shanty town outside Delft while the country commemorated Human Rights Day on Monday.

The first residents moved to the Symphony Way Temporary Relocation Area – later dubbed ’Blikkiesdorp’ – in 2008. It was supposed to a short-term housing solution.

With music blaring out of a corrugated iron structure, resident Gabieba du Preez complained there is absolutely no privacy for her and her two young daughters.

She battles to wash herself and her toddlers as she shares an outside tap with three neighbours.

Du Preez is also worried about criminal elements in the area and added that she watches her girls like a hawk.

“When your child is outside, they are running here and there. And when you look again, they are gone. Anything can happen,” she said.

Other residents said they feel they merely exist instead of living dignified lives.

(Edited by Lisa Bartlett)