Last year we covered what life was like in Zamimpilo Informal Settlement, Riverlea. With three major strikes last year, electrical connections to the housing problem which people faced, residents had made it clear that life is tough in their camps.
Other factors such as the high unemployment rate, health factors in the camp and the high crime rate made life even harder.
As explained in last years interview with a resident by the name of Joe Maseko, the camp is divided into different sections like extensions but in their case blocks. In these area’s there are hotspots where a lot of crime takes place.
Crimes such as stolen cars hidden in the blocks, woman and young girls are raped, Zama Zama’s (illegal miners) live in the camp, but what residents said was that most of the crime comes from people on the outside who use their campsite as an escape route for their criminal activities.
“You will hear of someone getting murdered but the area is so big that it’s hard to trace where and who has been murdered,” said the resident.
Many parents still try to do the best that they can for their little ones’ despite their living conditions. Unfortunate events still happen to their children like the young boy who was electrocuted while playing near illegal electricity connections.
Children also play in the campsite where there aren’t many clean spaces, there is a lot of damping and sewage water in which the little ones play around. Some of these children cannot go to school because their parents are unable to afford school fees and uniform.
Some make it to school but still battle with the requirements of the school, however, there are those who try to make a difference for these children and parents.
On February 8, the Zamimpilo Small Business Forum came together and bought school uniform and shoes for a few children of Zamimpilo.
The Langlaagte Police Station also contributed by donating bags to the children. The children were all excited and thankful to see their new uniforms.
