From squatter camp to Gousblom Crescent

The homes were built as part of a housing initiative by Gift of the Givers Foundation, a disaster response non-governmental organisation. Dr Imtiaz Sooliman of the foundation said 35 families had moved into the residential area.

“They have all been given beds, blankets and furniture to store their clothes and goods,” said Sooliman. He said it took longer than anticipated to house the residents because of the length of time it took to get community leaders to approve the selection of residents.

“Also, last year when we were ready to move [people] into the homes, the health and safety committee advised us about the rules relating to gas installation, so we had to submit a plan and wait for approval,” explained Sooliman.

He said the foundation now had the safety certificate that permitted the residential site to have gas installations and because of this, more residents were expected to move into the homes.

Welcome Mahlalela, a resident and the caretaker at the Gousblom Crescent site lives with his three children and his wife. He said, “This place is very different from where we come from in the squatter camp. There are no rats or cockroaches in the house, it is secure and we have security guards on patrol every night. Sometimes we even get food parcels.”

There is a total of 70 houses on the site, equipped with a play area for children, a big kitchen and bathrooms with showers and toilets. Magdeline Mbele, a resident at the site who lives with her husband and three children added, “They provide us with gas to cook our food and we have clean toilets to use. We are very happy here. We get everything.”