6.4. FOCUS GROUPS PERSPECTIVE
6.4.2. Theme 2: Safety and security
162
The findings indicated that because beneficiaries have been relocated from different settlements, those that were staying closer to Cornubia have benefited. Those who were staying far acknowledged that their quality of life has improved, but that the only problem that they were faced with was that they now had to spend more on transport. Another concern raised by some parents was that because they leave early in the morning they didn’t even know if their children attended school as expected, or whether they were presentable when going to school.
These parents did not have these problems when they were staying in informal settlements because they were hands on. Participants also revealed that some beneficiaries have resorted to going back to the informal settlements closer to work, while others have even rented out their houses.
The findings further indicate that the relocation of beneficiaries to this new place has affected the normal functioning of their families, because in some cases the breadwinner would leave the family, including the spouse, to go and stay in an informal settlement. The findings of the theme alluded to the fact that the majority of the people who were relocated to new areas were not working – and that bringing them close to economic opportunities did not help, because there were no jobs. The Cornubia development project was aimed at bringing people from lower socio-economic classes and the jobless to locations where they would have access to economic opportunities (see Tongaat Hullet, 2014).
163 6.4.2.1. Meeting household needs
Household sizes have always been a problem in the South African society, mostly in the black society, since there are no laws governing the size of structures. Some of the beneficiaries were not satisfied with the size of houses delivered, since these did not meet their needs in terms of the number of people in their households. The increase in the number of household members has forced others to relocate to informal settlements and backyards so as to cater for the changes. Meanwhile, human settlements is aimed at improving the quality of life of households.
In my household, we are 6, and it is a struggle for us to leave in a two-bedroom house (3).
The shortage of houses has forced communities to welcome unconventional or formal housing solutions by government (see Keivani & Werna, 2001; Bredenoord & Lindert, 2010). Housing provision to communities should consider delivering houses with enough space to meet the needs of households in terms of quality and quantity (see Busch-Geertsema et al., 2016). It is imperative to note that household needs can be met if social and physical factors are considered.
This will ensure that housing delivery increases household satisfaction and access to basic services.
6.4.2.2. Restoring dignity
Participants in focus groups unanimously alluded to the fact that even though there was livelihood in the informal settlements. Participants indicated that living together with people who share the same struggles takes away the feeling of being excluded from the services offered by government. Participants have acknowledged the fact that living in formal housing has restored their dignity and improved their quality of life. The relocations to Cornubia brought them positive benefits as they were now living closer to prime suburbs. The challenge has been that life in the new area is unaffordable, and that everybody pays the same tariffs for services, irrespective of how much you earn.
Things in this area are expensive and the benefit that one can say is that we now leave in formal housing. (1)
There is nothing that has changed if I cannot see the change in the type of food that we used to eat. (3)
164
The findings indicated contradicting statements from beneficiaries – some felt that the quality of their life has not changed – because they still continue to struggle to have food like it used to be the case in informal settlements. Others indicated that the quality of their lives have changed. For instance, these beneficiaries indicated that although some of the things they needed were not within reach, they were now, however, staying in formal housing. The upgrading of informal settlements was aimed at restoring the dignity of the urban poor in order to address poverty by enhancing the security of tenure, and promoting healthy and secure living environments (see Chenwi, 2012).
6.4.2.3. Social and economic integration
Participants were concerned about the rate of unemployment in the area. The demographics indicated above show that 50% of the population in the area was unemployed. This caused hardships to beneficiaries as they were now expected to pay for certain services like water and electricity. Participants felt that they should enjoy equal opportunities and rights for the services that are available in the area. Access to health facilities was a great concern for participants – since many people in the area were affected by communicable diseases.
The clinic is needed in the area since most of us are sick. If someone gets sick in the middle of the night when you call an ambulance, it takes time to come. (4)
All people should have access to such facilities, not only a particular group. The findings indicated that DHS is working on addressing issues of social exclusion by focusing on communities and promoting social and economic integration (see DHS, 2009). In addressing this challenge, the department has committed to empowering communities through participative processes and addressing the broader social needs of communities. Participants indicated that the municipality relocates all people to the Greenfields – since the majority of people living in informal settlements are from rural areas. The findings also indicated that if the municipality is to increase the social and economic integration effective policies need to be put in place. This the municipality can achieve by creating stable and decent job opportunities for previously disadvantaged persons and groups. The leadership should promote the social inclusion of communities in these new areas. Programmes should be developed to promote the development of capabilities to overcome poverty and deprivation of certain services. Officials emphasised the need for ensuring that local people benefit from local developments and that priority should be given to South Africans without discriminating foreigners at the same time.
165
Participants indicated that they are disadvantaged as far as accessing employment opportunities is concerned – since most employers in industrial areas employ foreigners – arguing that such employers have of exploitative tendencies – hence they prefer cheap labour provided by foreigners.