One of the main messages to come out of Reclaim The City’s general meeting this weekend was that “an injury to one is an injury to all”.
The meeting, which took place on Saturday August 6, was organised to discuss how the campaign would respond to the Western Cape government’s response on Tafelberg.
Michael Mpofu, spokesman for Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, said last week that the viability of social housing at the contested Tafelberg site had to be tested. He said 8 583 comments had been received during the public participation process and that they had not expected so many to be submitted.
According to Mr Mpofu, 4 486 comments were in favour of upholding the sale while 4 085 were in favour of social housing (“Tafelberg housing viability to be tested,” Atlantic Sun, August 4).
Members at the meeting said they wanted the feasibility study to be transparent. They also said they wanted to consult with the people conducting the test.
The Ndifuna Ukwazi legal centre, which has been assisting the Reclaim The City campaign was also present.
Osman Shaboodien, representing the Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers’ Association, said that what was happening in Sea Point was not unique and that areas like Bo-Kaap, Woodstock and Salt River were also being affected by gentrification and evictions.
“Injury to one is an injury to all. We need to think about how we move forward but also about how we get together.”
Elizabeth Gqoboka, spokes-woman for the Reclaim the City Sea Point chapter, said the battle for affordable housing in the area was not a new one and that the fight should continue.
“What we are asking for is a roof over our heads. If Mandela could stay in jail for 27 years for what he believed in, then who are we to say we should stop after 10 years?”
