First, I'm sorry to say that the wireless here doesn't work. So I must apologize. I really do have some great photos to share, but at the moment have no way to upload them. As soon as I can post them, they'll be up.
Today was my second day in Cape Town. I started my day by watching the local news. This was a first, because the flat the volunteers share had no cable. The number of stories regarding the informal settlements struck me. These communities are the same as the townships, constructed of whatever comes to hand, but they seem to be on a smaller scale and in little pockets all over the place.
Much like the perception of the United States, South Africa is though of as a place of riches and success. People from all over the continent pour in, hoping for a better life. Unfortunately, they are met with few opportunities (the unemployment rates here are over 25%), and wind up in townships or informal communities scratching out the most meager of existences.
The Cape Flats, the area with the largest township settlements in the Western Cape, holds more than a million people. At night, the entire area is flooded with light from high, bright street lights as a measure to reduce crime. One of the saddest things I learned was that when families become indebted to local gangs, of which there are many, they will "lend" their children for whatever use the gangs might have need of. Generally, this involves sexual abuse or using children as drug mules or labourers.
Before leaving, I wanted to provide a little more information on townships, having spent a month volunteering in one.
There are standards of living in informal settlements that can be split into serviced and unserviced areas. Serviced areas have electricity, lamp-posts, refuse collections and sanitation. Toilets are available either via a bucket system or porta-loos dropped off by the government. Shacks are even numbered – so postmen can deliver letters. Residents can get landlines in the serviced areas, although cell phones are far more popular with South Africans. The non-serviced areas do not have any of the services available in the serviced areas. Capricorn Township is a serviced area, though not all homes and families have access to the services.
Hostels are another type of accommodation found in all townships, although in place of the migrant workers they used to house, are some of the poorest families.
According to South African law, the government must remove informal settlements within 48 hours of them appearing. If they don't remove them, they are not allowed to without finding inhabitants alternative accommodation. Given the small time scales involved, it's far easier for the council to eventually come in to the settlements to implement sanitation and other services.
Perhaps most misunderstood is that townships are real communities. While they suffer from high crime rates, gangs, violence, high incidences HIV/AIDS, and the highest rape statistics in the world, most of the people are just normal people, doing their best to survive and better themselves. People in townships have families and raise children. They will smile back if you smile first, and most people will look out for one another. Also, some of the best music is to be found in the townships.
I know when our group of volunteers were about in Capricorn, a local woman warned one girl to put her camera away, fearing for her safety. When volunteers walked the children home from surfing, the children stopped at the point they felt it wasn't safe anymore and sent the volunteers back. So while the realities are indeed heartbreaking, I didn't want to paint an unfair portrait.
Anyway, as I said, as soon as I am able I will post the last of my pictures, though at the rate it may have wait until I'm home, or at least at the airport with a wireless connection.
Today was my second day in Cape Town. I started my day by watching the local news. This was a first, because the flat the volunteers share had no cable. The number of stories regarding the informal settlements struck me. These communities are the same as the townships, constructed of whatever comes to hand, but they seem to be on a smaller scale and in little pockets all over the place.
Much like the perception of the United States, South Africa is though of as a place of riches and success. People from all over the continent pour in, hoping for a better life. Unfortunately, they are met with few opportunities (the unemployment rates here are over 25%), and wind up in townships or informal communities scratching out the most meager of existences.
The Cape Flats, the area with the largest township settlements in the Western Cape, holds more than a million people. At night, the entire area is flooded with light from high, bright street lights as a measure to reduce crime. One of the saddest things I learned was that when families become indebted to local gangs, of which there are many, they will "lend" their children for whatever use the gangs might have need of. Generally, this involves sexual abuse or using children as drug mules or labourers.
Before leaving, I wanted to provide a little more information on townships, having spent a month volunteering in one.
There are standards of living in informal settlements that can be split into serviced and unserviced areas. Serviced areas have electricity, lamp-posts, refuse collections and sanitation. Toilets are available either via a bucket system or porta-loos dropped off by the government. Shacks are even numbered – so postmen can deliver letters. Residents can get landlines in the serviced areas, although cell phones are far more popular with South Africans. The non-serviced areas do not have any of the services available in the serviced areas. Capricorn Township is a serviced area, though not all homes and families have access to the services.
Hostels are another type of accommodation found in all townships, although in place of the migrant workers they used to house, are some of the poorest families.
According to South African law, the government must remove informal settlements within 48 hours of them appearing. If they don't remove them, they are not allowed to without finding inhabitants alternative accommodation. Given the small time scales involved, it's far easier for the council to eventually come in to the settlements to implement sanitation and other services.
Perhaps most misunderstood is that townships are real communities. While they suffer from high crime rates, gangs, violence, high incidences HIV/AIDS, and the highest rape statistics in the world, most of the people are just normal people, doing their best to survive and better themselves. People in townships have families and raise children. They will smile back if you smile first, and most people will look out for one another. Also, some of the best music is to be found in the townships.
I know when our group of volunteers were about in Capricorn, a local woman warned one girl to put her camera away, fearing for her safety. When volunteers walked the children home from surfing, the children stopped at the point they felt it wasn't safe anymore and sent the volunteers back. So while the realities are indeed heartbreaking, I didn't want to paint an unfair portrait.
Anyway, as I said, as soon as I am able I will post the last of my pictures, though at the rate it may have wait until I'm home, or at least at the airport with a wireless connection.