SOUTH AFRICA: THE SQUATTER SHANTIES BEGIN TO APPEAR IN THE EXCLUSIVE SUBURBS OF JOHANNESBURG

Record ID: 472954

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: THE SQUATTER SHANTIES BEGIN TO APPEAR IN THE EXCLUSIVE SUBURBS OF JOHANNESBURG
  • Date: 31st August 1994
  • Summary: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (AUGUST 31, 1994) (REUTERS TELEVISION-ACCESS ALL) 1. GV SQUATTER SHACK ERECTED NEXT TO WEALTHY HOUSE 0.12 2. GV SQUATTERS STANDING NEAR SHACKS 0.18 3. GV LITTLE BOY SITTING ON GROUND 0.22 4. GV SQUATTERS DRINKING COFFEE 0.29 5. SCU SQUATTER OSIEL NOSI SPEAKING (ENGLISH) 0.49 6. GV SQUATT
  • Embargoed: 15th September 1994 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
  • City:
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics:
  • Reuters ID: LVA7S20LSYZ0TXW5HRNTH56P8UX2
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: The squatter shanties which proliferated in settlements like Soweto during South Africa's apartheid regime have begun to appear in the exclusive suburbs of Johannesburg.

    The shacks have sprung up following a moratorium by the city's council which prevents evictions from existing sites until new accommodation is available.

    Osiel Nosi is one of about 30 black squatters who have pitched their shacks on empty ground alongside the million rand mansions of Johannesburg's Houghton discrict.

    The area around the shacks is strewn with refuse, but the squatters say they live in harmony with their rich neighbours.

    Nosi said the white people living in the suburb had been very good to them, but some of the wealthy have said privately they are vehemently opposed to the invasion.

    President Nelson Mandela's African National Congress (ANC) promised to provide housing for the hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged blacks. But many people have decided that fulfilling the promises will take too long, and have taken things into their own hands.

    The Johannesburg ANC branch has a constant reminder of the housing problem; some of the squatters have taken up residence in the park opposite the ANC headquarters.

    Squatter Elias Mekwena said many people find places to pitch their shacks in company grounds, as managers turn a blind eye to their presence.


  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register