Cape Town - It is a small, yet notable victory in the grand fight against gentrification. The City's about-turn in less than two months have been attributed to community efforts to fight the evictions in Shelley Road, Salt River – a fight supported by land and housing organisations and several political parties.
On June 26, a number of households in Salt River, received a letter from the City informing them that their tenancy and leases might be terminated due to the City's intention to sell the properties. Similar letters were also issued to occupants where no leases were in place requesting them to vacate the properties by no later than July 31.
Determined to fight this, a Shelley Road Anti-Eviction Committee was established and tenants saw support from not only the Salt River community but beyond the periphery of Salt River, including a number of political parties.
The residents also sought assistance from land and housing non-profit organisation, Ndifuna Ukwazi.
Its law centre attorney Jonty Cogger said the organisation was providing legal assistance to ensure the City follows through on cancelling eviction plans and transferring property ownership to the residents.
“We will also request that leases be temporarily transferred to individuals who have lost secure tenancy due to a family member's death. Unfortunately, no specific time frames have been given to the tenants, which is a concern,” Cogger said.
“Safeguarding well-located public housing in Cape Town is crucial, given its history of colonial and apartheid dispossession and its status as one of the most unequal cities in the world. Protecting these homes is vital for addressing historical injustices and promoting equity.”
The City said its Human Settlements housing information branch and Mayco member for human settlements Carl Pophaim have been engaging with the tenants as part of the ongoing land release process.
Following assessments, the City said all nine residences provisionally met the criteria for subsidies to take ownership of the units and that the occupants have agreed to submit subsidy applications assisted by the City officials.
One of the tenants, Jade-lee Geland said they were grateful.
“The neighbours have all been smiling, everyone is a lot more at ease now after the MMC came out himself to come and assure people that Human Settlements were going to take the property and then guide us through the process of being on their database which they did.
“Now we've gotten a notice of press releases from the City saying that we will be homeowners and all nine of the houses qualify.”
Ward councillor Yusuf Mohamed said that in about one year, the tenants would be official home owners.
The City said the buildings were protected under s34(1) of the National Heritage Resources Act, 25 of 1999, also referred to as the 60-year clause.
Salt River Heritage Society chairperson Lutfi Omar called the recent development a small yet significant victory for active citizenship and community activism.
He said that the residents have been living in the houses for more than 60 years.
“They are an integral part of the Salt River community, and so their threatened evictions sparked off huge outrage and protest action within the Salt River community.”
He added that the area was seeing increased evictions of long-standing residents.
“Salt River, like the Bo-Kaap, is facing a huge challenge of gentrification because of our location three to four kilometres outside of the city centre and because of elderly homeowners.”
“With the new Amazon multi-million rand development on the Liesbeek River, this process of gentrification has been amplified many times over.
“We need to find creative ways of mitigating the negative impact of this challenge of gentrification, in particular the vibrant working class culture and history of the Salt River Community.”
Salt River Residents Association executive member Sulaiman Appoles attributed the “current breakthrough” to local civic action and mobilisation efforts.
“The power of active citizenry was decisive in bringing this victory to the people. The Salt River Residents Association is especially thankful to the ordinary residents of Salt River who rallied to the defence of their Shelley Road neighbours as well as the political parties, notably the GOOD party.
“In the end we also acknowledge the local councillor Yusuf Mohamed for his contribution. However, we are not there yet. So we also welcome the continuing legal role of Ndifuna Ukwazi and the oversight being brought by all the opposition parties in Council. And of course, we wish this same victory can be extended all over the City, especially in Ruyterwacht.”
Appoles said a moratorium on all City evictions was necessary.
“Gentrification remains real and the greater victory still awaits, however small gains are welcome.”