Community halls and churches across Mamelodi and Nellmapius in Tshwane have provided much-needed comfort for more than 500 flood victims who have been left homeless.
Flash floods brought havoc to both townships on Saturday, leading to many people being displaced. Mamelodi West community hall has about 90 victims who include children while Nellmapius has about 450 people.
Sowetan visited both halls on Tuesday and many people seemed happy with their temporary accommodation provided by the City and government. Some were taking an afternoon nap with their children while other children were playing skipping rope.
“I'm happy to be here and I feel more safe than at the informal settlement because every time it rains I become scared,” said Solly Mogano.
Mogano, from Eerste Fabriek informal settlement, said his shack was swept away and he lost everything. “I had no choice but to be housed at the community hall even though we share one shower... but toilets are many,” said Mogano. “We would like the government and the City to speed up the process of relocating us to a safer land,” he said.
Virginia Mabuza, 60, from Willow Farm informal settlement echoed the same sentiments.
“I'm happy and safe and I don't think I will go back there again. I will stay at the hall until the government gives me a piece of land so I can build my house. I eat three times a day and I sleep on a sponge and warm blankets,” said Mabuza.
Tebogo Mothelene, 28, said she was happy to be alive with her three-month-old baby girl.
She said when the rain started she was in her shack with her baby and heard people scream. When she went out there was water everywhere and said that she nearly drowned with her baby.
Grade 11 pupil Masesi Rantho,17, said she was so happy to be at a safe place and to study peacefully at night without any disturbance or worry about floods.
Johanna Skosana, 60, said: “I'm very happy to be here but the crowd is too much and I plead with the City to speed up the relocation plan.”
Nomcebo Khumalo, 36, said she was getting almost everything she needs for her child including nappies, formula milk and baby food.
MMC for human settlements in the City of Tshwane, Abel Tau, said his department is working towards finding a lasting solution. “We are fully committed to ensure that all affected residents are relocated once land has been acquired and properly prepared for allocation.
“After my oversight visits this week, I reached an agreement with community leaders to meet next week Tuesday to discuss and map a way forward and the unfortunate reality is that the land acquisition process is highly complex with budgetary constraints.
“However, I am working to unlock and expedite this process. I believe we need to think outside the box and consider all the pieces of land the City owns,” said Tau.
He said this matter is a human settlements emergency and he intends to engage his colleagues in the City’s leadership to collectively deal with the relocation matter with the urgency it requires.
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