There is a housing crisis in Cape Town. This crisis is rooted in an unjust past. Spatial Apartheid still needs to be redressed, the working-classes still have no access to the city. However, this crisis is only deepening today - new technologies like AirBnB have extended the logic of financialization to the housing sector, where homes are viewed solely as financial assets - disconnected from the communities, families and culture which relies upon it. Unchecked by state regulation, the logic of financialization raises property and rental prices to insane levels, encourages the development of micro-apartments and pushes out working-class owners, & middle-class renters further out of the city. This has the run-on effect of creating more displacement down the line, erasing the heritage, culture and livelihoods of the black and coloured working class, with the Bo-Kaap being a prime example of this. 

APARTHEID DID NOT END. IT WAS REBRANDED. Today forced removals are no longer justified solely by race, but by PROFIT and exclusion under the banner of ‘development’. The result is the same. Working and middle class families are being pushed out of our cities while the wealthy are prioritised. Our cities are being stripped of its people and their histories. The Searle Street Cottages and the residing families are among the very few who survived the forced removals of the late 1960s, when over 60 000 people were displaced from District Six. Now, in 2026, 60 years after District Six was declared a “White Group Area” they face eviction and displacement AGAIN. HOW CAN ONE SURVIVE APARTHEID FORCED REMOVALS ONLY TO BE EVICTED IN DEMOCRACY? The six semi-detached cottages were originally owned by the Holy Cross Sisters, who fought their demolition during the Apartheid Regime. Despite this history, the properties were later sold (circa 2014) to a Mpumalanga-based developer for R2.4 million, even when the long standing residents had attempted to purchase their homes themselves. Instead of being given the  opportunity, families were forced to discover their homes for sale online. WHY were they not given the chance to buy the properties at a FAIR PRICE? Click here to view a write up and here for the timeline of events. Today, the same developer has issued notices requiring residents to vacate the cottages by the end of February 2026. Many of these families have lived there their entire lives, with one family residing there since the early 1920s, housing five generations. These are not vacant buildings. These are FAMILY HOMES and communities that are threatened by a system that prioritises profit over people. While the plans for the property are not clear there is well warranted speculation around the developer’s intended plans to demolish the family homes and develop "micro-lofts with mountain views" who the average South African would not be able to afford. Why are profit driven agendas being prioritised over the right to affordable housing in the inner city? Why were residents denied the opportunity to buy their homes at a fair price? Why is the painful history of District Six being repeated under the banner of “development”? This is not just a housing issue. It is a moral failure, a historical injustice and a continuation of displacement in a country that has yet to redress the injustices of the past in a city already facing an urgent housing crisis. WE DEMAND ACTION NOW: 1. Stop the eviction of the District Six Searle Street Families NOW! 2. Allow the families to purchase their homes at a fair price Reject the erasure of District Six history. Stop the ongoing cycle of forced removals. District Six is not for sale. People above profit. Upcoming Events in Solidarity that you can get involved in:   * 4 February 2026 at 17:30 @D6 Museum– Rent Control Group Workshop on the Rental Housing Crisis in Cape Town. * 7 February 2026 at 14:00 @ Cissie Gool House Hall– SaveSearleStreet Campaign supported by the Umbrella Civic ward 57+, Rent Control Group, Walmer Estate Civic Association and  Reclaim the City will host a Learning, Banner and Poster making session ahead of the Mid-February Solidarity Picnic Event (SAVE SEARLE STREET RESIDENTS). Please keep an eye out on our social media for further updates. Come and learn about what is happening to the residents and the housing crisis more broadly * 14 February 2026 at 15:00- SAVE SEARLE STREET SOLIDARITY PICNIC EVENT @ Searle Street Park ** (Supported by the Umbrella Civic ward 57+, Rent Control Group, Walmer Estate Civic Association and Reclaim the City). Come and support the residents of Searle Street in their fight against evictions. We will communicate the demand and how you can assist. Please keep an eye out on our social media below.  Website: SaveSearleStreet Instagram: @save_searle Substack: [@savesearlestreet ](https://substack.com/@savesearlestreet)

There are children in child-headed households who are also affected by this issue. Their parents died before they could have their homes restored, and now the government is sitting on its hands and doing nothing to provide a permanent home for those children. It is heartbreaking to see these vulnerable children being neglected by the government that is supposed to protect them. "My husband died before we were restored, now it looks as if I am also going to follow him and leave my children and grandchildren without a home " - Mrs Mangxe Some of the people affected by this have grown old over the years. And now, instead of enjoying retirement, they spend their time worrying about the possibility of never ever having their homes again, and what would happen to their children when they are gone. They cannot even participate in important cultural rituals since the homes they are in don’t belong to them.  The government tried to help by providing houses for families in need, but the municipality didn’t keep up with maintenance, leaving many homes in disrepair. Additionally, some families were placed in rental units, but because of the municipality’s neglect, rent payments were often delayed. This meant these families faced threats of eviction from real estate agents. Their living situation is constantly under threat, and no one can find peace when there’s uncertainty about their living situation. Enough is enough. The obvious neglect that the government has normalised has to stop. It is heartbreaking that these families have to beg the government to do their job. What is so difficult about providing 10 families with homes? We have to do something. Please sign this petition to demand immediate action from the Municipality. If enough of us sign, we can expose the Municipality's incompetence and pressure them to do the job we elected them to do. 

The Vaal Marina Waterfront Park is more than just a green space, it is a symbol of community, freedom, and shared heritage. For years, it has provided residents and visitors with a safe, accessible environment for recreation, relaxation, and connection. Its presence has contributed to the unique charm of Vaal Marina village and supported local businesses by inviting people to our community. Losing this space would be a blow not only to our quality of life but to the economic and social fabric of our town. We are calling on every resident, and concerned citizen to stand together and demand that the Midvaal Local Municipality renew or extend the park’s lease agreement. When we unite our voices, we send a clear message: this park matters. Public pressure is one of the most powerful tools we have. Municipal leaders are elected to serve the interests of the community, and when that community speaks loudly and clearly, they are compelled to listen. By signing this petition and sharing it with others, you’re helping build a wave of support that cannot be ignored. Whether through media coverage, council meetings, or direct engagement with decision-makers, our collective action can shift priorities and force meaningful decisions. The more signatures we gather, the stronger our case becomes — and the harder it is for officials to dismiss our concerns. This is our moment to protect what belongs to all of us. Join the campaign, sign the petition, and help ensure that the Vaal Marina Waterfront Park remains a vibrant, public space for generations to come. Together, we can preserve the heart of our community.

Boiketlong Road has become a death trap for children and pedestrians. The recent tragedy, where young learners lost their lives while crossing the road after getting off a school bus, has left families broken and the entire community in mourning. Every day, hundreds of children and residents are forced to cross this unsafe road without speed control measures, pedestrian crossings, or warning signs for drivers. Without urgent intervention, more lives will be lost. This is not just a road issue — it’s a matter of child safety, community wellbeing, and social justice. No parent should live in fear each time their child walks to or from school. By installing speed humps, pedestrian facilities, and proper signage, the government can save lives, prevent further heartbreak, and uphold the right of children to a safe environment.

The unavailability of proper and safe parks have led to children in the townships being locked inside their yards in order to safeguard them from external harm. This is a grave injustice as it not only leads to social isolation which negatively affects a child’s development, but it is a great contributor to health issues associated with lifestyle illnesses later in their lives. But this does not only speak to children as every member of our society gets affected by the lack of public playgrounds and training infrastructure. It is a fact that all four public parks and recreational facilities in the community of Ward 47 in Vosloorus are dilapidated without a single swing, slide, mary-go-round and exercising equipment being in a conducive state for public use. A few weeks ago over the spring holidays, my nephew had his trousers torn as a result of sliding down a rusty slide which almost caused an injury to his buttocks. Why has the municipality let such important infrastructure go unmaintained? Where are our children supposed to learn physical and social skills outside of the school playgrounds? After all, Outdoor play helps kids to build flexibility and creativity. They also have to learn to interact with other children, for example, at the swings or the slide, where they can learn about the importance of sharing and turn-taking [1].  In South Africa, diabetes is the most common cause of death in adult females, followed by cardiovascular disease and hypertension [2]. It is because of this reason that we cannot afford to have our townships' public recreational infrastructure neglected when the government should be encouraging physical activity and the culture of exercising, especially since the highest prevalence of obesity among South African adults, stratified by sex and race, was found to be in African women. We need to have our training equipment maintained in the same parks where our children play so that we can safely watch over them as we all stay active and keep in shape for our health and social benefits.  Maintaining the equipment alone will not be enough if the environment itself is not physically inviting. This is why it is important to ensure that the grass stays cut and trees get pruned on a regular basis. People are social beings who need to participate in recreational activities in order to be stimulated. As a result, we need benches, picnic and braai areas, taps and garbage bins to be made available in our parks in as far as encouraging the culture of keeping our township litter free, especially in shared public spaces. There should also be employment of security guards to ensure that our parks stay secure and are alcohol free zones. This initiative will also create employment opportunities, thereby reducing the unemployment rate that is currently plaguing our country. Let us remind our local government that they have a responsibility over the wellness of our communities by adding your name to this petition. References [1]  https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/articles.Ryan [2]  https://knowledgehub.health.gov.za/system/files/webinar/obesity-strategy.pdf  

"We are not safe,as every time it rains, the roofs get blown away. There are leaks in the ceilings, and the stair rails are not even stable," said a concerned resident. References [1] Dan Tloome Housing Project in the spotlight again by Dominic Duvenage for the Randfotein Herald. 18 January 2024. https://www.citizen.co.za/randfontein-herald/news-headlines/local-news/2024/01/18/dan-tloome-housing-project-in-the-spotlight-yet-again/ [2] Neglected Dan Tloome Mega Housing Project Residents Suffer A Severe Lack of Service Delivery. 21 September 2023. https://dagauteng.org.za/2023/09/neglected-dan-tloome-mega-housing-project-residents-suffer-a-severe-lack-of-service-delivery

We have been promised the bridge for the past 20 years, but not having the bridge is affecting us as residents, children are unable to get to school when it rains they are forced to only return to school in May after the rainy season, which impacts their schooling. High school learners are even forced to rent places closer to the school just so they are able to attend classes [2] We can’t go to the clinic to get treatment, we can't go to town. It's worse when someone passes on, we are forced to carry the coffin for a very long distance because we can't cross that river it's too dangerous. The river has claimed many lives and the delays by the municipality continue to threaten us as the community of Noqgala [3], if you add your name to this petition you can help us get the municipality to hear our cries we are tired of being ignored, 20 years is a long time and we need clear plans and a timeline of when will the bridge be completed. References [1] https://groundup.org.za/article/r97-million-spent-and-three-years-later-still-no-bridge/ [2] https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2023-06-19-r10m-and-two-years-but-villagers-still-without-bridge/#google_vignette [3] https://youtu.be/XoMGTfRhokU

The unlawful occupation by-law, gazetted on the 14th of February 2022 undermines the constitution and circumvents the PIE ACT. This by-law deviates from the Human Settlements Strategy which provides that the City should “proactively plan for informality.” The Unlawful Occupation By-law contradicts this aim, it seeks to criminalise poor and working-class people who have fallen through the cracks of the city’s housing waiting list. The City’s by-law on unlawful land occupation seeks to bypass the protections of PIE. It also provides the so-called “City officials” with large amounts of arbitrary and discretionary power over poor and working-class people.

We have elected leaders and bestowed on them the responsibility to govern, to enable us to achieve a better life for all – not themselves. We, as people of South Africa, have a right to know in whose interests’ decisions – supposedly in "our” name – were and continue to be made. The culture of secrecy and impunity must come to an end if our democracy is to thrive. Transparency and accountability are non-negotiable, as too are the requirements for transformative actions to address the injustices that remain embedded in our social, economic and political systems. Our constitution is revolutionary in its design, but the values and vision that it prescribes can only materialise if embraced by the state through which it is enacted. As people of this country, we all support the value and vision in the Constitution which protects the rights of the people in our country, it is the bedrock of our democracy and foundation of the rule of law. We, the undersigned, support/endorse this open letter to raise our voices in solidarity against state capture and impunity, and to say now is the time for us to be heard. The realities of the current moment cannot be met with silence and complacency. #ThePeopleSay #Wake-Up SA! Civil Society endorsements: Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC) Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) Corruption Watch (CW) Dullah Omar Institute (DOI) Equal Education (EE) Freedom Under Law (FUL) Legal Resources Centre (LRC) My Vote Counts (MVC) Open Secrets Organisation for Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) Section27 (S27) Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) Right2Know (R2K)

On 21 July 2020 the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu announced in her budget vote speech that her Department planned to allocate R600 million towards rental relief to tenants in affordable housing facing financial distress due to the COVID 19 pandemic. The funding, aimed at tenants in ‘formal affordable housing’ was meant to help those facing potential homelessness to meet their monthly rental obligations. This in turn would assist landlords who depended on rental income to survive. In her speech, the Minister made the undertaking that the details of the rent relief for such tenants would be published 30 days after her address.[2] IT IS NOW MORE THAN EIGHT MONTHS FOLLOWING THIS COMMITMENT AND NO DETAILS OF THE RELIEF SCHEME; NO POLICY PUBLISHED, AND NO FUNDING HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY TENANTS, WHO MAKE UP SOME OF THE PEOPLE HARDEST HIT BY THE PANDEMIC IN OUR COUNTRY. The stark reality is that between 2.2 and 3 million people lost their jobs in the first months of lockdown.[2] This has created a situation where households are caught in a double bind between maintaining their shelter and having enough food and water to stay alive. Correspondingly, the TPN Residential Rental Monitor for the fourth quarter of 2020 found that low end tenants had the weakest rental payment performance. Specifically, the report states that: “the “Less than R3,000/month” rental segment is populated by the most financially fragile tenant population, with significantly fewer financial “buffers” with which to weather any storms that translate into income loss, or those unexpected household expenses that arise periodically.” [3] In fact, the undertaking to provide R 600 million in rent relief was made to prevent the crisis that many of the 3 720 000 tenants [4] living in South Africa may now find themselves in. Albeit too little too late for tenants who have fallen victim to unlawful action by landlords and service providers across the country.[5] The consequences of these shortcomings taken together might be even more dire: on 9 March 2021, DA Shadow Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Cilliers Brink announced that the party is calling for the urgent lifting of Alert Level 1 lockdown regulations stating that the regulations make it “close to impossible” for property owners to obtain eviction orders.[6] We are teetering on the brink of a secondary national disaster where we stand to exacerbate a health crisis into a homelessness crisis. The former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Housing Leilani Farha has cautioned that “[i]n the face of this pandemic, a lack of access to adequate housing is a potential death sentence for people living in homelessness”[7]. Home has rarely been more of a life or death situation – Housing remains Healthcare! JOIN US IN DEMANDING THAT THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS, WATER AND SANITATION DO THEIR JOB URGENTLY. [1] https://www.gov.za/speeches/minister-lindiwe-sisulu-human-settlements-dept-budget-vote-202021-21-jul-2020-0000# [2]https://cramsurvey.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Spaull-et-al.-NIDS-CRAM-Wave-1-Synthesis-Report-Overview-and-Findings-1.pdf [3]https://www.tpn.co.za/Group/Home/Media [4] http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0211/P02114thQuarter2020.pdf [5] https://www.iol.co.za/personal-finance/government-needs-to-subsidise-tenants-rentals-50528669 http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P0318/P03182019.pdf [6]https://www.da.org.za/2021/03/da-calls-for-lifting-of-lockdown-regulations-to-restore-private-property-rights [7]https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Housing/SR_housing_COVID-19_guidance_rent_and_mortgage_payers.pdf

Over the last couple of weeks, the City of Cape Town has said that it is experiencing an unprecedented increase in poor people occupying vacant land. The vast majority of people occupy land out of necessity- they have nowhere else to go [3]. And a huge part of why people have nowhere else to go is because the state – at all levels – has failed to satisfy the need for housing or redistribute well-located land. This failure has exacerbated spatial inequality in Cape Town – which is the most spatially divided city in the country in terms of race and class. The City has consistently blamed this spatial injustice on the lack of well-located land that could be used for affordable housing. But the City often misses the most obvious solution: it already owns massive pieces of land in well-located areas. Land that is unused or not being used to its full potential, that could provide ample space for affordable housing and reverse the City’s apartheid legacy. Last year, Ndifuna Ukwazi released a research report exposing how the City is disposing of the public land it owns by leasing it to private organisations at massively discounted rentals [4]. This land includes parking lots that are empty for up to 18 hours a day, bowling greens with very few members, and massive golf courses that provide enjoyment to only a few wealthy residents on the weekends. This is an inefficient, exclusive and unsustainable way to deal with well-located public land. Surely this land should be put to better use? While the City has increased the rental tariff it charges for sporting purposes, which means that it will charge King David Mowbray Golf Course is R11 500 per year (as opposed to the R1 095 a year that it plans on charging Rondebosch Golf Club), this misses the point. Aside from still being an incredibly low rental for this land, it does not address the City’s obligation to redistribute public land. This land-use does not align with the City’s own inclusive development priorities and fails to give effect to the Constitution’s commitment to housing and equitable access to land. The redevelopment of the land leased to the King David Mowbray Golf Course offers a vital opportunity to act on a new vision for a just and more equal Cape Town. The land could be used to create an inclusive, environmentally sensitive suburb, with a positive urban environment and inclusive green spaces that bring people together rather than tear them apart. If we are serious about addressing Cape Town’s apartheid legacy, we need to make our voices heard. Object to the lease renewal of this prime public land that should be used for affordable housing before 25 August 2020. Ndifuna Ukwazi has put together this progressive submission you can use when sending in your own objection. We invite you to use this as a draft and tailor it to make your voice heard. If enough of us send in our objections we can stop the City of Cape Town from renewing the King David Mowbray Golf Course lease. [1] https://awethu.amandla.mobi/petitions/cheap-rent-for-the-rich-object-to-the-rondebosch-golf-course-lease-3 [2] City of Cape Town. 24 July 2020. Lease: Erven 29453, 29449, 29455, 32716 Cape Town, Raapenberg Road, Mowbray. Cape Argus. Available: https://jmp.sh/II39Y3i. [3] Bosch, Hazell and Clark. 2020. Making Room for Housing. Edited version published by Weekend Argus and IOL News on 8 August 2020. Full version available: https://jumpshare.com/v/ZMRTKEYftZpoCK8joDOe [4] Ndifuna Ukwazi. 2019. Cape Town’s Failure to Redistribute Land. Available: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pxly1G47qbC79l58Oss4vKvvK4AO71M-/view