Blikkisdorp residents complain about 19 years of unfulfilled housing promises

Current Situation and Appeals

After 19 years, Blikkisdorp continues to function as a residence for 1300 households. One of the oldest residents, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, noted that the city government constantly makes only empty promises while friends and neighbors die in the village without achieving the dream of owning a home. He added that despite the formation of a new committee, they continue to live in Blikkisdorp without a clear plan for future action, noting that promises were made by both ACSA and the City.

Politicians' Visit and Residents' Testimonies

Brett Herron, General Secretary of the GOOD Party and candidate for Mayor of Cape Town, visited Blikkisdorp and spoke with residents about the housing crisis. He met with Matilda Grope, who has been waiting for housing for 17 years and was one of those who slept on the roadside in Symphony Way. She recounted that they were evicted there, and housing opportunities stopped after the murder of city employee Wendy Kloppers. Kloppers worked in the city's environmental department and was attacked by armed individuals in 2023 near the Symphony Way construction site.

Grope reported that they approached the High Court of the Western Cape regarding the eviction process after residents occupied unfinished homes in 2007. She specified that after two years on the road, the court ruled in 2009, obliging the city to provide them with proper structures and electricity. Grope noted that although the first phase was organized before the court ruling, she moved to the second phase in 2009 and has lived there for 17 years. She also mentioned that when they appealed to Mayor Dan Plato and Prime Minister Helen Zille, they were told it was a TRA, a temporary solution for up to six months, and after 17 years, they are still there. Grope added that although it is election time now, the DA party abandoned them. She also mentioned that housing was approved for her in 2021, and she was supposed to move in in 2022, but then Wendy Kloppers was killed, and she still lives there.

Government Comments

Councillor Carl Popham, a member of Mayco on human settlement issues, confirmed that the Symphony Way project was suspended due to murders and extortion but resumed last year. Popham reminded the public that the settlement is voluntary, and residents can leave if they decide to solve their housing problem. He explained that Blikkisdorp was created for people facing housing crises, such as families living in cars or drainage ditches; some were relocated by court orders, while others were former property owners or beneficiaries of housing opportunities who lost property for various personal reasons.

Popham stated that over time, the need for housing was being met, but he could not provide the latest figures to Cape Argus. He also stated that Blikkisdorp has been decommissioned as an emergency site, and target residents should be included in formal development along Symphony Way. According to the signed Memorandum of Understanding between Airports Company of South Africa and the City Council, the target area for this housing project includes Blikkisdorp, Malwai Camp, and Freedom Farm.