The community of Xakabantu, an informal settlement sprouting in a Ramsar protected environment site near Vrygrond, are demanding access to basic water and sanitation.
However, according to authorities, their hands are tied as no permanent infrastructure can be built at the protected site which houses 2 500 shacks.
In a statement, community leader Mikel Kumalo claimed that Xakabantu residents are made to feel like second class citizens.
“For too long have the people of Xakabantu, an informal settlement in Vrygrond demanded decent housing and better services,” he shared. “One of which is the provision of water to the community, a service which is a basic human right that no community can live without.”
Kumalo claims the City of Cape Town provides water tanks but it was not sustainable as residents had to walk long distances to reach the tanks. “The service might be regarded as non-existent,” he comments. “Old people and pregnant women find it very difficult to access this resource and basic human right.”
To address the issues, the community invited City officials to accept a memorandum of demands on Saturday 7 December. However, the invitation was declined says Kumalo.
“The City refused and informed us that no-one from the City will be available to accept our demands,” he adds. “Does this mean the City and the mayor disregards our demands as citizens of Cape Town?”
Their demands include installing water taps and decent secure jobs.
Speaking to the People’s Post, Kumalo says they have repeatedly been told that they can’t have permanent infrastructure. He says they accept the instruction but they need an alternative. “We want the City to at least give us temporary infrastructure, there are no taps so we are demanding at least four water points.”
He further adds that it was difficult for residents to wait on a water truck, with no prior times and schedules in place.
“The municipal trucks come to drop off water but it is not reliable and you don’t know when it will arrive.”
When the People’s Post visited the area in December last year (“People are struggling”, People’s Post, 12 December 2023) Kumalo brought up the same issues.
“None of the things we asked for were attended to. We still have a porta-potty system, where you have to keep the waste in your house.”
He said it was unfortunate that residents had to suffer. “Their argument is always that this is a nature reserve but people have been here for five years. We are not asking for permanent infrastructure, just basic services.”
Ward 45 councillor Mandy Marr tells the People’s Post that it was a very sensitive and complex situation due the site being internationally Ramsar-protected.
A Ramsar-protected environment site means there are certain species only found at that site and nowhere else. “Because it is a nature reserve, the City has provided portable toilets and there are workers (residents) employed to look after it and clean it.”
She confirmed that a water tank provides water to residents twice a week.
“I know they need water and it is currently the only solution, it is also a very expensive solution,” said Marr. “I am pushing the City to provide temporary taps but national government is coming down very hard on us, we are under pressure to evict the people.”
Commenting on City officials not being available to meet residents with their demands on Saturday, Marr said it was impossible to organise at short notice.
“The mayor is very busy, you can’t tell the mayor on Monday that you need to meet him on Saturday.”
She further adds that she advised Kumalo “the first channel to work with is the subcouncil.”
“They have given us a memorandum and we are working on that,” said Marr. “I have advised them how to get it on the Subcouncil 19 agenda…I would like to accommodate everyone as far as possible.”
