4.5 Socio-economic challenges in the vulnerability context
4.5.1 Land and housing
73
74
inequalities that exist between poor communities and more affluent areas. Undoubtedly, the government’s fiscal policy reproduces inequalities that exist between nations on a global scale within national boundaries (Brown et al., 2001). Hence poor communities have not received any tangible benefits from current economic growth. The evidence suggests a lack of political will by the government to purchase land for housing development. It is for this reason that the residents of Makause are now pursuing their case in the Supreme Court. They are aware there are other benefits directly associated with owning a proper house. The common benefits are clean drinking water and proper sanitation, electricity, roads and development. All the participants are waiting anxiously for housing development in Makause in order to benefit from the jobs that this could create. Hague et al. (2011: 193) contend that housing development provides people with employment and a formal address, enables them to contribute to local tax and promotes LED. It is also critical to note that owning one’s own house is equivalent to land and provides secure land tenure as noted in chapter two. In the SL framework, land is regarded as a critical natural livelihood asset as it is part of the five different assets (Rakodi and Lloyd-Jones, 2002; Carney, 1998).
Despite the lack of housing development and infrastructure in the settlement, none of the participants want to be relocated to an alternative site as they fear that their livelihoods will be severely compromised. They understand that their livelihoods largely depend on staying in Makause, as the settlement is close to most amenities and resources, which are easily accessible across the road in Primrose. This provides them with access to basic resources within close proximity. They do not have to spend money on transport fares, which is a serious challenge confronting most urban poor. Some residents indicated their willingness to build their own houses should the settlement be formalised as a township. These sentiments reiterate Huchzermeyer’s (2000) view that informal settlements provide space for the urban poor, as they are affordable and convenient, depending on what attracted people to that specific area.
Participants shared moving testimonies about the possible disruption of their livelihoods should they be moved to an alternative site. One participant had this to say:
75
Some of us have stayed here for more than 15 years; we want government to build our houses here this is my home (Participant#
12).
The demand that houses be built where people are staying is in line with government policy, particularly chapter 13 of the National Housing Code which sets out rules for the in-situ upgrading of informal settlements. The Code seeks to ensure minimal disruption of the livelihoods of the urban poor by upgrading informal settlements rather than opting for relocation, thus promoting social inclusion (Department of Human Settlements, 2009). However, the evidence suggests that very little has been done by the EMM or the provincial government to provide adequate housing in Makause settlement. A general perception in the community is that owning a proper house will not only provide residents with shelter, but will ensure that the urban poor have sustainable livelihoods that can be transferred from one generation to another. A home was cited as an important socio-economic asset which can be used to host family events and relied on to generate other assets such as financial capital, for example, in the case of home- based enterprises. This suggestion points to the communal nature of community development.
Therefore housing presents an economic value as an incremental investment as it allows poor families to improve their asset base over time and can be handed over from one generation to another. Lack of housing is a highly visible dimension of poverty; this is perhaps why it was such an emotive issue amongst participants. A house also restores human dignity; as participant
#5 said: “Even if you sleep hungry if you own a house you become a better person”. It is in this context that scholars like de Beer and Swanepoel (2000) recognise that breaking the cycle of poverty is about addressing poverty and vulnerability. This can be achieved when the social, economic and political factors that keep people trapped in deprivation are problematised (Chambers, 1983).
The residents of Makause are crowded into small shacks with no privacy. Most shacks have no private space/bedroom. In some instances there is less than five meters between shacks, making them a fire hazard. There are also no recreational facilities for children as any available space is immediately occupied by shacks. The one sports field is also used as a community meeting space. As much as residents understand the need to leave space between shacks for safety and recreational purposes, this is superseded by the need for more land for housing. This is a stark
76
reminder of the limited options that poor people have access to. It is in this context that Chambers (1983) regards powerlessness as one of the key elements in the deprivation trap.
Interestingly, as much as people lament the lack of housing development, most residents take pride in their shacks, as the condition of one’s shack determines one’s social status. It should be emphasised that only a few people can afford to buy second hand building material (bricks, sand and timber) from local entrepreneurs; furthermore, they are not considered a good investment since the area has not been properly demarcated and formalised for housing development. Some members of the community cannot afford to build their own shacks and rent from neighbours. In Makause, renting a shack is more expensive than building one’s own shack, as the landlord has not invested any money in buying land which is freely allocated by the local leaders. Therefore owning one’s own shack is associated with being well off and one stands a better chance to obtain a house when housing development takes place.