In the heart of Cape Town’s Mitchells Plain, Cheryl-Ann Smith and her family dwell in a one-room corrugated iron shack, emblematic of the housing crisis gripping South Africa. Despite waiting for a government-provided house for the past three decades, they remain entrenched in a state of limbo, emblematic of thousands across the nation.
The promise of post-apartheid housing solutions has remained largely unfulfilled, leaving millions on waiting lists and countless others to build makeshift dwellings in the absence of formal housing. In Mitchells Plain alone, more than 15,000 residents await homes, with little political will to address their plight.
Despite promises from both the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), delivery on housing remains inadequate. With elections looming, the disillusionment among voters grows, highlighting the urgent need for tangible solutions.
As South Africa grapples with spatial apartheid’s enduring legacy, the reality for many remains stark. Despite rhetoric of progress, the vast majority of non-white residents continue to face systemic inequalities and housing insecurity.
Amidst the political posturing, Cheryl-Ann Smith’s daily struggles paint a vivid picture of the human toll of this crisis. For her and countless others, the promise of a home remains elusive, overshadowed by the harsh realities of poverty and neglect.
As politicians vie for votes, the plight of those like Cheryl-Ann Smith serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action. The time for promises has passed; now is the time for meaningful change.
Source: Al Jazeera