Housing and Socio-Spatial Integration in the Post-Apartheid Urban Communities, in South Africa: a Case Study of Shaka’S Head, Kwadukuza Municipality
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
HOUSING AND SOCIO-SPATIAL INTEGRATION IN THE POST-APARTHEID URBAN COMMUNITIES, IN SOUTH AFRICA: A CASE STUDY OF SHAKA’S HEAD, KWADUKUZA MUNICIPALITY SANELE B. MBAMBO Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for admittance to the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Town and Regional Planning in the School of Built Environment and Development Studies, College of Humanities, University of KwaZulu-Natal December 2018 The financial assistance of the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, in collaboration with the South African Humanities Deans Association towards this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the NIHSS and SAHUDA. DECLARATION I, Sanele Brian Mbambo hereby declare that unless otherwise acknowledged in text, this thesis is my own original work and has not been submitted previously to the School of Built Environment and Development Studies or any other body for any purposes AUTHOR: Sanele Mbambo _______________________ SUPERVISOR Dr. K. Mchunu _____________________ Page | i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to acknowledge the following people for their invaluable contribution towards the completion of this thesis: ___________________________________________________________________________ I give thanks to God Almighty who has always been a source of my strength for success throughout all the struggles I have encountered. I gratefully acknowledge my parents Mr. N.S Mbambo and Mrs. A.T Mbambo and my entire family for blessing my journey through prayers. My most precious daughter Lusanele Qhawekazi was a source of love which provided me with comfort throughout the PhD journey. I am deeply indebted to my late aunt, Mrs. Regina Fikile Mathunjwa for the encouragement she gave me and all the pride she took in me. May her soul rest in eternal peace and find comfort in God’s loving hands. My thanks also go to the Shammah Full Gospel Church, my second home that has raised me spiritually and continuously prayed for my success in education under the stewardship of Pastor J.W Mbambo and Mrs. E.T Mbambo. I acknowledge the invaluable assistance I received from my supervisor Dr. K. Mchunu for all the academic and administrative support and guidance, Dr. Sithembiso Myeni and Mr. Vincent Myeni for their endless support and academic advice, my regional mentor Dr. P. Zulu for his guidance, my research assistant Miss Thenjiwe Mngadi for organising interviews and helping in data collection and, my sincere gratitude to my friend Khanyisani Xulu for assisting with GIS services. I am indebted to all respondents who availed themselves and offered their time for interviews. These include, Mr. Mlamuli Ndlela the Ward Councillor of Ward 04 under KwaDukuza Municipality, the residents of Shaka’s Head, Mr. Pierre Welgemoed from management of Caledon Estates, the officials from KwaDukuza Municipality in the Planning and Housing Units, Mr. Mava Ntanta, Director for Development Planning, Mr. Chimene Pereira Chief Planner and Ms. Nqobile Kawula Human Settlements Manager, Miss Thobile Dlamini, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements and finally, Mr. Richard Mkhungo, Provincial Secretary of SANCO in KwaZulu-Natal. Page | ii ABSTRACT This study assesses the potential for housing to attain socio-spatial integration in the post-1994 urban communities. Urban communities in South Africa have a history of segregation enforced through policy and legislation during the apartheid rule. Housing was used effectively as a tool to enforce urban spatial segregation through separate locations, urban restrictions, dispossessions and so forth. In the post-1994 period, housing continued to be utilised in driving further urban residential segregations through private housing developments promoting gated enclaves. Post-apartheid urban communities continue to reflect patterns of segregation. The study argues that class inequalities have maintained urban fragmentation and suppressed the role of housing in achieving socio-spatial integration. Neoliberal urbanism is used to understand class domination and the maintenance of hegemony which has appeared to be a fundamental root cause for persistent urban exclusion. Neoliberal urbanism seeks to enlarge the role of market forces in the housing sector, to privatise the provision of urban and social services, and to increase the role of elites in shaping the urban landscapes. The neoliberal urbanism ideology asserts that the city is envisaged as a playing field for the elites, whereby growing socioeconomic inequalities are managed by creating privatised, customised and networked spaces for consumption by urban elites. The study uses a case of Shaka’s Head, a socially mixed urban neighbourhood in Ballito, KwaDukuza Municipality. A qualitative approach was used for research methodology and design. In-depth interviews were conducted with government officials, the civic movement, low and high-income sections of the study area. Research findings show that in Shaka’s Head, there has been a noticeable but limited role of housing to achieve socio-spatial integration. Through housing location, it was possible to attain a multi-class urban neighbourhood, which is strategically located closer to economic opportunities. However, there has been an inability of social groups to create social relations and share in the local economy. The study concludes Page | iii that, while housing has a potential to attain spatial integration, socially mixed neighbourhoods have remained socially fragmented. In achieving socio-spatial integration, the study recommends for institutional integration, effective participation, development of quality infrastructure and improved security. Page | iv Table of Contents DECLARATION....................................................................................................................... i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................... ii ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................ iii List of Acronyms .................................................................................................................. viii List of Figures .......................................................................................................................... ix List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ x List of Information Boxes ....................................................................................................... xi 1. Chapter One: Background of the Study ......................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Statement of the Research Problem ............................................................................ 4 1.3 Research Questions ..................................................................................................... 9 1.3.1 Main research question ........................................................................................ 9 1.3.2 Subsidiary questions ............................................................................................ 9 1.4 Aim of the study .......................................................................................................... 9 1.5 Objectives .................................................................................................................. 10 1.6 Structure of the Dissertation ...................................................................................... 10 1.7 Description of the Study Area ................................................................................... 12 1.7.1 History of Shaka’s Head .................................................................................... 12 1.7.2 Location of the area ........................................................................................... 14 1.7.3 Shaka’s Head Demographic profile ................................................................... 19 1.7.4 Socio-economic status ....................................................................................... 19 1.7.5 Housing typologies ............................................................................................ 25 1.7.6 Summary ............................................................................................................ 28 2. Chapter Two: Conceptual /Theoretical Framework and Literature Review ........... 29 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 29 2.2 Housing ..................................................................................................................... 30 2.3 Geography of Opportunity ........................................................................................ 33 2.4 Integration ................................................................................................................. 36 2.5 Neoliberal Urbanism ................................................................................................. 40 2.5.1 Spatial Assimilation Theory .............................................................................. 43 2.5.2 Place Stratification Theory ...............................................................................