Blikkiesdorp faces an uncertain future

160126. Cape Town. Symphony Way Temporary Relocation Area in Delft, Cape Town, better known by its nickname Blikkiesdorp, is a relocation camp made-up of corrugated iron shacks.[1] Blikkiesdorp, which is Afrikaans for "Tin Can Town", was given its name by residents because of the row-upon-row of tin-like one room structures throughout the settlement. Picture Henk Kruger/Cape Argus. Reporter Helen Bamford

160126. Cape Town. Symphony Way Temporary Relocation Area in Delft, Cape Town, better known by its nickname Blikkiesdorp, is a relocation camp made-up of corrugated iron shacks.[1] Blikkiesdorp, which is Afrikaans for "Tin Can Town", was given its name by residents because of the row-upon-row of tin-like one room structures throughout the settlement. Picture Henk Kruger/Cape Argus. Reporter Helen Bamford

Published Jan 27, 2016

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Cape Town - A number of residents of temporary relocation area Blikkiesdorp have been living there for almost a decade. One such resident is Jane Roberts, who was moved to her flimsy tin structure in 2007 after she was evicted from Symphony Way; she was told it would be a temporary solution.

Many people are still waiting for their promised houses.

Of more pressing concern to the community of around 20 000 is the uncertainty about their future with plans by the Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) to re-align the runway at Cape Town International Airport, potentially forcing them to move again – and probably to another temporary relocation area (TRA).

Roberts, who is the chairwoman of the Blikkiesdorp Joint Committee (BJC), said residents only heard about the agreement between the city council and Acsa, regarding the expansion, last May when Open Democracy Advice Centre (Odac) alerted them to the news.

“That was the first we heard about it and people are still angry we were kept in the dark.”

Roberts said mayoral committee member for Human Settlements Benedicta van Minnen told her people would move to land around Symphony Way, near Blikkiesdorp.

“I asked her how long we would stay there and she didn’t say.”

BJC member Ettienne Claasen said they hoped to set up a meeting with mayor Patricia de Lille to get clarity on what the plan was for Blikkiesdorp.

“If she can’t help us we will go to Premier Helen Zille.

“Our aim is to find out what the plan is and we want it in black and white – we don’t want empty promises.”

Awie Badenhorst, also a BJC member, said he has given up on politicians with their false promises – especially in an election year.

He said he was an ANC supporter but was disappointed in the party for not helping.

“Apartheid life was better. At least the government never put up TRAs.”

He said the city council was using poor people to put them in power yet refused to meet with them.

“We want answers. We want to know how many people will move and where will they go. But there doesn’t seem to be a plan.”

Badenhorst said the residents did not want to move to another TRA.

“We actually want to move to Plattekloof where there are facilities and schools nearby.”

Van Minnen said that if Acsa’s plans were approved and Blikkiesdorp residents had to be moved, the city council would look at relocating qualifying residents to land surrounding Symphony Way near Blikkiesdorp.

“This is a very intricate process, which would involve eventual land swaps and rezoning of land parcels, and community engagement.

“This could take many years and much of the information that is being spread by various third parties is completely premature.”

She added the city council would consult at greater length with the specific communities when there had been more progress.

“A project steering committee will be set up when all processes have been completed and if the detailed planning of a housing development is initiated.”

The next phase of the environmental impact assessment for the runway project, which includes the final public participation process, is expected to take place in April.

From there it will go to the Department of Environmental Affairs and, if it gets the green light, the project would start within six to eight months.

Acsa spokeswoman Deidre Davids said actual construction was anticipated to last between 24 to 30 months.

The plan is to realign the runway to make room for larger aircraft as well as rapid exit taxiways.

She said the Blikkiesdorp was included in the public participation programme.

“We need to await the final report so that we have a clear indication of how the community may be affected from an environmental perspective and what the recommended mitigations are.”

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Cape Argus

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