Pretoria - The City of Tshwane is currently preparing a report to be presented to the Municipal Planning Tribunal for the relocation of fire-prone Cemetery View and Plastic View informal settlements, said spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.
This comes after a fire engulfed at least 400 shacks, temporarily displaced at least 200 families in Cemetery View informal settlement for the second time since 2018. Plastic View has as well, over the years, seen its fair share of infernos that destroyed hundreds of shacks.
Mashigo said all comments for the approval of the township establishment application had been received from all the stakeholder departments for the township establishment application for Pretorius Park Extension 40.
“The approval of the township will then allow the City to proceed with the design for services and commence with the top structures. The letter has already been sent to the provincial department of human settlements to gazette this project. Residents from Plastic View and Cemetery View are expected to be accommodated in this development.”
Residents just resumed their normal life after finding wood and plastic to rebuild their shacks and revive their community. Men have started going out to look for temporary work and other work common in the community like recycling, while the women take care of the children and others help as domestic workers.
Most of the men wake up early to stand by traffic lights asking for temporary work like tiling, roofing, gardening and yard cleaning. Those who have cars run businesses that bring food and other essentials items to the informal settlement, like tuck shops
Titi and Lebohang Motaung said the locals had finally found their independence again and rebuilt their community, and it helped that they received clothing and blanket donations from local churches and neighbours from surrounding suburbs.
“I think the only thing that we all agreed was unfair was seeing people who did not lose their shacks and belongings receive blankets and other donations that should have otherwise gone to deserving people, but there was nothing we could do. As a result, some people still don’t have blankets and clothes to change into, but we are strong people. We will get through this hard phase in our lives. We will regain everything,” said Titi Motaung.
Normal Moyo said he earned his living by recycling plastic bottles and he was committed to carrying on because it was the only way he could feed himself and ensure that he does not end up begging and mixing with the wrong people.
Nono Ditshele said: “A lot of us young women do not work but our men do, so we look after the children and wash and clean. These are small one-bedroom shacks so you quickly finish and find yourself looking for something else to do.
“Those who are lucky among us women do help the white women in the suburbs to do laundry and clean houses. As for the rest of us, we are still looking for work opportunities but at least now life is back to normal somewhat and we can move forward,” she said.
Pretoria News