Siqalo and Mitchels Plain...a rebellion of the poor

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The recent violent protests over the demand for electricity and water in the Siqalo informal settlement outside Mitchells Plain have put the spotlight on the housing backlog in the community. But it has also raised the importance of addressing housing and land issues in the Greater Mitchells Plain area – which has slipped under the media radar. This matter was brought to the fore recently when a group of Mitchells Plain residents from Woodlands met the MEC for Human Settlements and other role-players. The housing backlog in the Western Cape stands at a whopping 575 000.
Tonight we hope to unpack the burning frustrations of residents, following the mass protests by Siqalo and Mitchells Plain residents just over a week ago, which sadly claimed the life of Tauriq Mohamed from Bayview. Our objective tonight is to understand the housing crisis, the social ills facing Mitchells Plain and Siqalo, to look closely at the issues of race and identity as well as government’s failure in addressing the housing and land challenges since 1994.
Our guests this evening:
INSTUDIO:
-Faadiel Adams from Gatvol Capetonian, a newly launched organisation – the name says it all
-Gamieldien Titus from the People’s Rights Party
-Shaheen Van Nelson, chairperson New Woodlands Residents Association
-Rashmia Lucas
Position: chairperson of the Colorado London Village Ratepayers Association (COLV)
-Monwabisa Futshalana, a representative for the Siqalo community
-After 8pm, we will speak to Councillor Elton Jansen and Norman Jantjies from the Mitchells Plain United Residents Association (MURA)
15 May 2018 English South Africa News

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