For as long as she lives Ma Rose will remember the terror of 17 December 2020, when fire ripped through the Masiphumelele informal settlement on the Cape Peninsula, leaving thousands without shelter – again.
And she will remember her joy, four days later,when after years of ignoring the community’s plight, the National Department of Human Settlements finally stepped in and ordered the City of Cape Town to act to stop the cycle of devastation.
Ma Rose – as she is fondly known in Masiphumelele – is an activist with deep roots in the community. For many years she has lobbied the City of Cape Town, on the community’s behalf, to fulfil its duties and provide services to create a safe and dignified environment.
The fire that broke out on 17 December once again exposed the City’s service delivery neglect. Residents fought a losing battle trying to extinguish it with water from a sewage-filled canal. Fire hydrants in the area had not been serviced for months, effectively rendering them useless. Working taps are scarce. The 40 000 residents share only 260 toilets – that’s 154 people per loo.
Now, the City of Cape Town has been ordered by national government to build 1600 temporary structures, followed by beginning the process to build permanent structures, Ma Rose explained.
After many years of suffering this is clearly a step in a better direction for the community.
“I’m not an ANC person or an EFF person. I am just disgusted at what Masiphumelele has been allowed to become,” she said. “We’ve had enough of the City’s excuses.”
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