After an 18 Year Wait for Houses Residents Build Shacks by Force

Sthembiso Sithole

Soshanguve residents without government subsidised houses are calling for their councillors to step down as they say they haven’t fulfilled any of the promises made before elections. They say they had been promised houses but this hasn’t happened and as a result about 100 families have decided to build their own shacks rather than sit and wait for the people tasked with assisting them. Some even accuse those in power of selling these free houses to foreign nationals – an accusation that has been the cause of many alleged xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

“The current elected councillors are misrepresenting us. That is why I call for Soshanguve to unset (Simon) Maratula,” says one of the residents.

In the township’s extension 7 residents say they have even taken their grievances to the Department of Human Settlement but their requests have been largely ignored.

The Soshanguve Housing Data Base Council (SOHDACO) is a group of residents who say they applied for RDP houses in 1994 without a single one being built.The group says proper procedure was followed. SOHDACO chairperson, Matshona Matjeke, says they have been in and out of Housing Department offices and are always told that they are on a waiting list. As a result these residents have met in the township and decided to write an authoritative to the City of Tshwane. It seems there isn’t enough land for their interim solution an.

“We are now fighting for space where we can build our [shacks]. By tomorrow shacks must be standing in extension 7 to show that we are serious about occupying the place,” says Matjeke.

SOHDACO Secretary, Patrick Masuku says they can no longer wait for change and they must take what they want as they have been ignored in the past. “If people can use force they will get what they want. The issue of foreign nationals getting houses that we have applied for a long time, is creating problems,” explains Masuku.

Some residents are concerned about the lack of safety in the township and worry about police reaction to it as they say a Metro police shot a 72 year old lady with a rubber bullet during the public meeting.

Sowetan Entertainers Doing it for the Love

Sthembiso Sithole
Sowetan, Bonginkosi Madondo, says he is driven by the love of art, African culture and traditions and as a result has participated in various theatre productions such as Amasiko and Devil Protest. He started performing at the Positive Art Society in Phiri Hall in the township in 2003. Through the legacy of the late Thembinkosi Nkabinde who was the founder of the group, Bonginkosi has taken over the initiative.

“Art is something for us performers to tell those untold stories. It heals spiritually,” says Bonginkosi.

The 29 year old who is also gumboot dancer and choreographer believes that one can make a living out of art.

“I have raised a kid and built a place to sleep in through art. Everyone who loves art can achieve his/her dreams,” he explains. Walking around Soweto it becomes apparent that the arts are keeping many children off the streets.

Mkhonto Arts and Cultural Group is one of the few art groups that are growing in the township. The group involves different aspects of art such as tap dancing, drama, gumboot dancing, etc. It is based in Phiri Hall, Soweto and caters for youngsters from High school to those who have completed their schooling.

The group has performed at President Jacob Zuma’s Inauguration and at the recent Siyabakhumbula Awards on 25 June this year at Gallagher Estate, Midrand. Through their hard work and determination they have showcased their art skills in countries such as Spain, Austria and so on.

As any group growing in the township, they also experience challenges such as a lack of funding. The group master feels that there is still a lack of recognition of South African actors and he does not agree with the fact that international stars come to the country and portray icons like Nelson Mandela and his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

“If Soweto is known worldwide, why don’t they fund it? It is all about making money but not empowering our South African artists,” he elaborates.

20-year-old Zanele Sibisi joined the group three years ago and believes that participating in such activities helps her from getting up to mischief. “I benefit a lot from the group and it takes me away from drugs,” she explains.

Tap dancing is one of the activities that are growing in the country and Mduduzi Buthelezi says he is ready to go an extra mile to make it in this genre of dance.

“I want to achieve big time in my career. Many [black] people don’t know much about tap dancing, whites are exposed to it and I want to change the perception that it is meant for whites,” he stresses.

The group is planning on telling the stories of human trafficking and is currently preparing for a Pan African festival to take place in Algeria next month.

Chiawelo Residents Meet to Demand the Release of those Arrested

Sthembiso Sithole
Chiawelo residents are demanding the release of those arrested for the burning down of a former councillor’s house and the attack of the new councillor’s car and on Friday they protested outside court where those arrested earlier in the week were appearing. They say the case should not have been postponed.


On Wednesday evening there was an emergency meeting in the township where their way forward was discussed.


An estimated 2000 residents attended the Jo’burg City emergency meeting on former councillor Miriam Ramafola, newly elected councillor Johannes Nemangauni and the green metred electricity boxes that started all the trouble. As Eskom General Manager Bandile Jack was approaching the podium the crowds started singing struggle songs.

Jack told the crowd why some had their power switched off. “It started when we switched off electricity for those who had illegal connections,” he said.

His message seemed to have been falling on deaf ears as some were calling him names with a few youths waving posters written “Green Boxes Down”.

A 70-year-old woman identifying herself as MaTshabalala complained said she grew up in the area and the metred box grievances have been going on for a while and said the initial promise was that they would be removed in 2007.

“We are finished by this electricity, we pay a huge amount of money with our pension money. It is unfair,” MaTshabalala said.

Mayoral committee member, Matshidiso Mfikoe, told the residents that they embarrassed themselves while SAPS representative Simon Mpembe said none of the 25 arrested will be released as the community demands.

“Police are not responsible to the release of people who are arrested, the court is responsible,” he elaborated.

Some community members left early swearing and turning chairs upside down.

Those who remained behind were told to register with Siyasiza Expanded Social Package. This initiative is offered to those who are disadvantaged and offers free basic water, electricity and create short, long term job path.

Eskom promised to come back and switch on the power for those who have been switched off.

The 25 will appear in court on Friday next week.

Chiawelo Residents Not Backing Down

Sthembiso Sithole

Chiawelo residents are still refusing to back down from their demands of cheaper electricity tariffs despite five community members including two minors over the burning down of the former councillor’s house earlier this week.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa lambasted the community when he visited with Police Commissioner Bheki Cele. As they arrived in their lavish cars, journalists and residents were waiting on Nefefe Street outside the house of ward 12 councillor Johannes Nemaungani.

Apart from the burning down of the house - the cars of Miriam Ramafola and Nemaungani were also stoned. Ramafola told Joun’Tau about the nightmare she witnessed while her grandchildren were in the house.

“I received a call from my cousin who told me that there are people on the way to my house and they say they are going to burn everything. It is then that I quickly rushed outside to lock the small gate and unfortunately I forgot to lock the garage.”

She says while she was hiding in the house, protesters were already outside braking windows and later managed to open the unlocked garage and torched her car.

“In 2007 Eskom proposed to change old electrical boxes to new green boxes that will force community members to buy electricity through prepaid cards. They all agreed on this installation of green metred boxes in the meeting,” Ramafola elaborated.

According to the former councillor this is the second attack that has occurred in her house. ESKOM spokesperson Hillary Joffe explained that no metred boxes will be removed.

“Our technicians were working since Tuesday to solve the crisis and most of them were threatened. In the past two weeks we experienced the same problem and we are not planning to move any metred box,” said Joffe.

23-year-old resident, Gift Matu, says the councillor lied to them about the green boxes failed to tell them proper procedure on how they would be explained.

“We are told to pay R50 every day in order for us to get electricity. Miriam told us that we had no choice but to pay for these,” he said.

Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Mpho Tau, urged the community not to repeat the incident.

Addressing the crowd Police Minister, Nathi Mthetwa described the incident as terrifying. “We want everybody to work with the law force agency. Everyone must condemn this horrible situation,” Mthethwa said.

While the minister was speaking, an elderly lady shouted at the minister saying he drives nice cars without understanding their plight.

Kids & Parents Entertained at Baba Indaba

Sthembiso Sithole

SABC Baba Indaba held a three day exhibition aimed at exposing young families to early childhood development project and to raise breastfeeding as awareness. Despite the weather being cold, expecting parents, parents, nannies and grandparents came out in large numbers to witness the exhibition at the Expo Centre Nasrec near Soweto.

Organiser and show director Natalie Naude says this year breastfeeding was a hug part of the exhibition. “We decided to have breastfeeding as part of the show because we wanted to spell the myth about breastfeeding,” explains Naude.

“Breastfeeding is healthier for both mom and baby, it also helps to create a bond and helps the child to have strong bones.”

Danielle and Quinton Wilson who are parents of two children from Pretoria say the Baba Indaba has helped them come up with ways of saving money. “It is our second time attending this exhibition and we get a special of the things that we would find in shops in a higher price,” says Danielle.

Children had a chance to meet some Takalani Sesame muppets live on stage as they were entertaining through dance and educational quizzes. Later youngsters got an opportunity to take photos with their favorite cuddly friends from TV.

Most exhibition stands were packed with parents asking questions about the promoted products and promoters had to do their best to best sell and convince customers. Some of those on promotion were Baby Dam, Cuddlers, Cry Baby, Jacob’s Coffee and Baby Throne.

Baba Indaba organisers say they want to take their initiative further and want to host Africa’s very first Guinness World Record attempt for the most mothers breastfeeding their babies at same time. Good luck to them.