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Building Houses Into Homes: Essential Networks and Informal Living in Cape Town, South Africa

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Building Houses Into Homes: Essential Networks and Informal Living in Cape Town, South Africa Building Houses into Homes: Essential Networks and Informal Living in Cape Town, South Africa SVF-3901 Caitlin E. Reiach Master’s Thesis in Peace and Conflict Transformation Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education University of Tromsø Spring 2013 Abstract This study explores the potential assets of informal living as a consequence of historical spatial planning and urbanization in Cape Town South Africa. Micro realities of informal living are illustrated against a backdrop of wider socio-political policies that effectively produce informal settlements through arguably flawed housing delivery systems. Qualitative interviews conducted across a small but varied sample depict a strong sense of community and partnership where residents can turn to family or community members to help strengthen their abilities and to build not just houses by homes. Informal townships are described as having unique elements, activities, successes and problems requiring distinct approaches and solutions. Each household has its own unique concerns, needs, and abilities that require a variety of approaches aside from what is provided through the housing subsidy. The common thread made evident throughout the historical literature and primary data collection is the determination and capacity for resiliency among even the most disadvantageous populations. It is this resiliency that may prove to be the critical factor in building sustainable communities with room to grow. i ii Acknowledgments My sincerest thanks go out to everyone who made this thesis possible. To my family, friends, and colleagues, thank you for your unwavering encouragement and for exemplifying the very phenomena discussed in this paper. To my supervisor Ingrid Kielland, I have so much gratitude for your guidance and investment in my growth as a researcher and writer. To Percy Oware, thank you for your support of my spontaneity and encouraging me to follow my intuitions. Most importantly, I would like to express my ultimate appreciation to my informants for their warmth and for educating me in the ways of Ubuntu, a lesson I will take with me throughout my lifetime. iii iv (Strategic Development Information and GIS. 2007. January 2007 Informal Settlements. Retrieved from http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/stats/Documents/Informal%20Settlements%20Map.pdf) v vi Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 1 2. BRIEF OVERVIEW OF SOUTH AFRICA IN HISTORY ................................................................ 5 2.1 THE RISE OF APARTHEID .................................................................................................................................. 5 2.1.1 Structural Violence ................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1.2 District Six ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORKS AND THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS ................................................. 7 2.2.1 The Power of Sport .................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2.2 Democratic Transition ............................................................................................................................ 9 2.2.3 The Constitution ......................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.4 The White Papers .................................................................................................................................... 10 2.2.5 The Prevention of Illegal Eviction Act ........................................................................................... 11 2.2.6 Millennium Development Goals ........................................................................................................ 12 2.2.7 State Subsidy ............................................................................................................................................. 12 2.3 CONTEMPORARY HOUSING IN SOUTH AFRICA ........................................................................................... 14 2.3.1 Individualization in State Subsidy ................................................................................................... 14 2.3.2 Informal Employment ........................................................................................................................... 15 2.3.3 Informal Housing Markets .................................................................................................................. 16 2.3.4 Gentrification and Commercial Development ............................................................................ 17 2.3.5 Roll Over Construction .......................................................................................................................... 18 2.4 EVICTIONS ........................................................................................................................................................ 18 2.4.1 Breaking New Ground and the N2 Gateway Project ............................................................... 19 2.4.2 Resident Action and the High Court ............................................................................................... 21 3. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................... 25 3.1 GROUNDED THEORY (GT) ............................................................................................................................. 25 3.2 QUALITATIVE INQUIRY ................................................................................................................................... 28 3.3 METHODS AS AN OUTSIDER .......................................................................................................................... 29 3.3.1 Problems for Outsiders ......................................................................................................................... 30 3.4 ESSENTIAL REFLEXIVITY ............................................................................................................................... 30 3.5 METHODS .......................................................................................................................................................... 32 3.5.1 Sampling ..................................................................................................................................................... 33 3.5.2 Demographics .......................................................................................................................................... 34 3.5.3 The Interview Process ........................................................................................................................... 35 3.5.4 Field Notes ................................................................................................................................................. 36 3.5.5 Coding .......................................................................................................................................................... 37 3.5.6 Theoretical Sampling ............................................................................................................................ 39 3.5.7 Setting .......................................................................................................................................................... 39 3.5.8 Safety ............................................................................................................................................................ 40 3.5.9 Transportation ........................................................................................................................................ 40 3.6 ETHICS ............................................................................................................................................................... 41 4. FINDINGS ............................................................................................................................................ 43 4.1 CHILDCARE ....................................................................................................................................................... 44 4.1.1 Paula ............................................................................................................................................................ 44 4.1.2 Absenteeism .............................................................................................................................................. 45 4.2 CRIME AND SECURITY .................................................................................................................................... 46 4.2.1 Recovery ...................................................................................................................................................... 46 vii 4.2.2 Rootedness and Security ...................................................................................................................... 47 4.3 EDUCATION .....................................................................................................................................................
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