RUO EMOH FROM HOUSING STRUGGLES TO HOPE IN NEW HOMES OUR HOME OUR STORY

RUO EMOH OUR HOME OUR STORY

FROM HOUSING STRUGGLES TO HOPE IN NEW HOMES RESEARCH PROCESS The research project was designed and coordinated by Noah Schermbrucker of PEP, Mariel Zimmermann and Yolande Hendler of CORC, SA SDI Alliance and Sophie Oldfield from African Centre for Cities at the University of Cape Town and Urban Studies at the University of Basel. The project drew together leaders and residents in Ruo Emoh with students studying at the University of Cape Town (Masters of Southern Urbanism) and at the University of Basel (Masters in Critical Urbanisms).

The project work involved interviews with 19 Ruo Emoh families documenting their stories prior to moving into formal housing in Ruo Emoh in December 2017. The interviews focused on three themes: household and housing histories, perspectives on the process of accessing houses in Ruo Emoh, and expectations and hopes for living in Ruo Emoh. The research was undertaken in two sessions in Ruo Emoh on March 7 and March 17 with a final braai in Ruo Emoh on April 14 where the stories developed from the narratives were checked by families interviewed.

SOCIAL FACILITATION Melanie Johnson

OLD RUO EMOH PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE Fazline Abrahams, Naeem Adrianse, Moerieda Bernard, Fagwa Jacobs, Archie Olkers

NEW RUO EMOH PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE Asheka Ely, Adnaan Hendricks, Adeep Johannes, Terence Johnson, Fazlin Samsodien

RESEARCH TEAM Ruo Emoh: Adnaan Hendricks, Melanie Johnson, Adeeb Johannes and all the residents who were interviewed and assisted Ruo Emoh Catering: Tasneem Hendricks Peoples Environmental Planning: Noah Schermbrucker and Shawn Cuff South African SDI Alliance: Melanie Johnson (FEDUP/ISN), Na-eema Schwartz (ISN), Mariel Zimmermann (CORC), Yolande Hendler (CORC) University of Cape Town, African Centre for Cities: Sophie Oldfield, Ademola Omoegun

STUDENT PARTICIPANTS University of Cape Town: Geetika Anand, Majaha Dlamini, Kaylin Harrison, Abdullahi Ali Hassan, Goabamang Lethugile, Oliver Manjengwa, Joseph Ngben, Israel Ogundare, Sayak Roy, Rosca Warries; University of Basel: Adesola Adelowo, James Clacherty, Janine Eberle, Evan Escamilla, Lea Nienhoff, Florence Siegenthaler, Sebastian Steiner, Basil Studer.

Thank you to University of Basel and African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town for funding that supported student participation in this project and publishing of this booklet.

Book design: Alma Viviers, African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town Copyright © The Authors

CONTENTS

Introduction 04 List of acronyms 05 The project First steps towards Ruo Emoh 06 Planning, neighbourhood, and organising obstacles 07 Project timeline 08 The journey to Ruo Emoh 12 Narratives 14 Challenging as a chairman, joyful as a homeowner 15 Ascend to dignity 20 Oh to my family...FREEDOM 23 Everyone deserves a home 26 A place to rest after a long journey: The Benjamin Family 29 The 'iron' lady 33 'Together we can achieve more': Solidarity as a key to community building 36 The long-anticipated home and community 39 Improvements, security, community 42 A journey of a thousand miles finally coming to an end 45 The love of family 48 My dreams for my children are falling in place 51 It’s a safe environment 54 Freedom from sharing - a house with private rooms at last! 57 Everything fell in place 60 History of activism 63 My house, my community, my life 66 This is a place where my children can grow: The Brandt Family 69 ‘Houses, dignity, new life!’ 73 Conclusion 76 INTRODUCTION

Living in a backyard, an overcrowded nity’s persistence paid off. The housing the South African Homeless People’s home, or making do in an informal project was completed and Ruo Emoh’s Federation) have walked alongside Ruo settlement is a reality for many families 49 families moved into their new homes Emoh community since they first started in South Africa. Unstable and insufficient on December 22nd, 2017. organising in 1997. housing leaves everyday life a challenge. This booklet documents the project’s This research project on Ruo Emoh Access to essential basic services such long history. It shares the housing histo- has brought together residents with as water and sanitation and electricity ries and experiences of nineteen of the masters-level urban studies students is difficult. Alternative, secure forms of forty-nine families who self organised to in the Masters of Southern Urbanism housing are costly and insecure. Families change their living conditions and to based at the African Centre for Cities often face the threat of evictions, finding become homeowners in Ruo Emoh. It at the University of Cape Town and the themselves on the street or looking narrates their stories and experiences, Masters of Critical Urbanisms based at for another place to stay. Government the hardships of their housing struggles, the University of Cape Town and at the efforts at improving living standards and the challenges of organising to access University of Basel. attempts to provide basic services have secure housing, and the emotions and A product of the research project this fallen short. Living in such vulnerable experiences of moving into new homes booklet records Ruo Emoh’s history. The situations marks the struggle of many in this development. These stories are Ruo Emoh story sheds light on broader families for a life of dignity. In these the heart of this booklet, narrating struggles in South African cities for hard contexts, families and communities the hardships of living without decent shelter and homemaking. In producing across South Africa have to organise to and secure housing and the hopes that this booklet we hope that the (hi)stories access and build housing, mobilising to accompany the move to home ownership and lessons recorded here can be an improve living conditions. in Ruo Emoh. inspiration and a tool for other commu- This booklet shares the story of On the one hand, this booklet is a nities, who find themselves in similarly Ruo Emoh (Our Home, spelt backwards) reminder of the challenges and achieve- harsh living conditions and housing a housing project through which ments of a struggle spanning more than struggles. Through sharing the 49 families have moved into homes 20-years. On the other hand, in this challenges and strategic breakthroughs, on a well-located piece of infill land in project and in the residents' stories are the everyday experiences of struggle Colorado Park in Mitchells Plain, Cape lessons that highlight persistence and and hope, Ruo Emoh's stories might Town. Community organising and dedication, the commitment developed encourage and assist other communities planning for Ruo Emoh started in 1997 in the collaboration required to bring the to seek alternatives to or identify upgra- and continued over twenty years. Ad- Ruo Emoh housing project to fruition. ding opportunities in backyards, ministrative and political regulations and In particular, PEP and uTshani Fund informal settlements, and overcrowded obstacles, as well as neighbouring rate- (part of the South African SDI Alliance1) housing. payers’ interventions repeatedly delayed as well as the Federation of the Urban At the heart of the booklet are stories the project. Nevertheless, the commu- and Rural Poor (formerly known as of what is possible when a group of

04 people are willing and able to organise, to build strategic alliances and to negotiate pragmatically over the long term. At the heart of the booklet are family hopes and visions for the future as they continue to build their lives as homeowners in Ruo Emoh. This booklet celebrates Ruo Emoh families who know best the realities of housing struggle and the hopes of home ownership.

LIST OF ACRONYMS

CORC Community Organisation Resource Centre CRA Colorado Ratepayers Association FEDUP Federation of the Urban Poor ISN Informal Settlement Network NGO Non-governmental Organisation 1 The South African SDI Alliance supports urban poor communities PEP People’s Environmental Planning to find solutions to homelessness, landlessness and poverty. Through building organised communities and collaborative partnerships PHP People’s Housing Programme urban poor communities seek to make cities more inclusive and pro-poor. The Alliance consists of two community-based partners RDP Reconstruction and Development Programme - the Federation of the Urban and Rural Poor (FEDUP) and the Informal Settlement Network (ISN) – and two support NGOs – the SANCO South African National Civics Organisation Community Organisation Resource Centre (CORC) and uTshani Fund. Through FEDUP the Alliance is affiliated to Shack Dwellers SA SDI Alliance South African Shack Dwellers International Alliance International (SDI). See sasdialliance.org.za for more. SPELUM Spatial Planning, Environment and Land Use Management THE PROJECT

Work to bring the Ruo Emoh housing as the Federation of the Urban and Rural similar hardships began building project to completion spanned over two Poor (FEDUP). The solidarity. In addition to daily savings, decades. Its success was celebrated Federation is a women’s-led, Ruo Emoh group members saved on December 22nd, 2017, when 49 member-based social movement that towards land, infrastructure and housing families moved into new homes, built organises through savings collectives and deposits. Saving together and building on a well-located piece of infill land practices associated with Shack Dwellers solidarity was not a smooth or uncon- on the corner of Weltevreden Parkway International (SDI). tested process as, over the many years & Caesars Drive in Colorado Park, In order to initiate a savings scheme that followed, there was a high flux of Mitchells Plain. The houses are located under the Federation, a group needs to members in the Ruo Emoh group. adjacent to public transport and nearby identify collectors and treasurers. Nevertheless, the Ruo Emoh savings schools, a community hall, shops and a Collectors mobilise savers through group, as part of the broader Federation, hospital. The process to bring the project collecting and recording savings, ideally identified strategies to access to completion was, however, complex on a daily basis. This enables savers to land and later housing through the and contested, marked by the commu- build trust, share personal challenges People’s Housing Process (PHP), a nity’s persistent battle with government’s with each other and identify collective programme initiated by the then administrative and political hurdles, priorities. Treasurers are responsible for national Department of Housing. and contestation from the neighbouring managing deposits and withdrawals in The Ruo Emoh group was convinced ratepayer groups. a joint bank account and overseeing the that they could build more appropriate general finances of the group. To become houses than the contractor and First steps towards Ruo Emoh a member of the Federation a saver is government led Reconstruction and To trace the struggle and success of Ruo asked to contribute a once off sum of Development Programme (RDP) ap- Emoh we need to look back to 1997, R750 to the Federation’s National Urban proach and in June 1999 demonstrated when Janap Oosthuizen and Lee-Ann Poor Fund (UPF). Over the years the what a people’s housing approach could Fredericks were part of creating a savings Federation has used these regional and entail. In only 3 days, they built an illegal, scheme. Over time, backyarders and nation-wide contributions (whether to formal “show house” on vacant land in tenants strained by poor living condi- the UPF or other collective Federation Mitchells Plain. Neighbouring residents tions in Manenberg and Mitchells Plain funds) to negotiate with the state and (who were skeptical of the Ruo Emoh joined the savings scheme. Dissatisfied other actors around leveraging addition- group) approached the Federation about by waiting for government subsidised al resources for development priorities. the show house and saw that it offered housing, the collective initiated the Ruo Within a group, saving is primari- a real, and perhaps more beneficial, Emoh Housing Savings Scheme. The ly about building trust, solidarity and alternative to contractor supplied hous- savings scheme was established under strong organising capacity. Through ing. The next day, however, a bulldozer the South African Homeless People’s coming together in the Ruo Emoh demolished the show house in 3 hours. Federation, which later became known savings group, individuals faced with What remained, was a foot in the door:

06 the show house resulted in negotiations and regulations necessary to obtain sub- by neighbours and ratepayers. This delay for open land in the immediate vicinity. division clearance so that the land could had serious ramifications. Towards the be used for residential purposes. end of 2010 the community and support “We built the house as a organisations panicked with the realisa- practical statement. Of course Neighbourhood planning, and tion that the rezoning and subdivision organising obstacles clearance would lapse in mid 2011. we knew that it was illegal. We Once the Ruo Emoh savings group Through negotiations the city committed knew that we would have to had applied for subdivision clearance, to an in-principle agreement that assured suffer the consequences…. We approval from the surrounding middle- the continuation of the project even after did not try to interrupt negoti- class neighbourhood, Colorado Park, the official lapse of the rezoning and ations – at every time we were was required. At this stage, however, the sub-division clearance. ready to talk. All we wanted… Colorado Ratepayers Association (CRA) After 12 years of multiple setbacks, and other neighbours raised numerous groundwork infrastructure was installed was to ask them to come and objections. The objections were based on the Ruo Emoh site on 8 June 2011. look at the house… to see that on the assumption that the Ruo Emoh The community’s fresh hope and drive the people’s process is better.” development would lower property for the project was however, short lived. Janap Oosthuizen2 values and strain basic service infrastruc- Shortly after the contractor initiated ture for water, electricity and sewage. the groundwork infrastructure installa- In 1999 the Ruo Emoh group, supported There was also a perception that linked tion, ratepayers supported by the local by the South African Homeless People’s backyard dwellers with criminal activity councilor attempted to disrupt construc- Federation and uTshani Fund purchased and the introducttion of drugs and other tion. In some cases, physical conflict was a piece of undeveloped land in Colora- vices into the area. Ironically, many who narrowly avoided as ratepayers stood in do Park. At approximately 10,000m2 in objected had erected informal structures front of bulldozers to stop the ground- size, the purchase of the plot enabled the in their own back yards to accommodate work. Under political pressure the city community to begin designing, plan- children and relatives. Finally, after five reneged on the in-principle agreement ning, coordinating and managing their years of back and forth, the subdivision and in July 2011 uTshani Fund (as the own housing development. This peo- was approved on 26 June 2006. From developer) received a “cease works order” ple-led approach resulted in a nuanced this date, the rezoning and sub-division from the city. The project was stopped and locally appropriate plan. Once clearance was valid for five years. at significant cost (and penalties) to the the land was bought, applications for Within this time frame, the Ruo Emoh developer with half the infrastructure left rezoning and subdivision were submitted group needed to meet certain legal incomplete in the ground. Needless to to the city council and to the provincial requirements. say, the patience, fortitude and planning government of the Western Cape. This From 2006 to 2010 the project was of an organised community, who wanted initiated a slow engagement with statutes put on hold due to ongoing objections to build their families a safe home, was

07 TOP: The Ruo Emoh plot with infrastructure such as road, sidewalks and power boxes already installed. RIGHT: Community members discuss plans for the houses.

08

TOP: Work underway for the installation of infrastructure at Ruo Home. BOTTOM: Houses under construction. left shattered. Despite repeated attempts Environment and Land Use Management Alliance. Critically, the cost of many to engage amicably and to explain the Committee approved the extension of of the requirements was born by the details of the development, the ratepayers subdivision in November 2012. community (e.g. constructing the and the local councilor would not agree Subsequent to the extension of sub- boundary wall and ensuring site secu- to the project’s continuation. division (which was valid for a period of rity). Therefore Ruo Emoh experienced As a result of these objections, and to 5 years) the project was once again numerous hurdles such as friction and continue the projet, the developer and stalled. Put simply the finances no division between community members, Ruo Emoh community reluctantly ceded longer made sense – given the amount of which lead to conflict around approved to a lower density for the project. Where- available state subsidies and the amount beneficiaries and plot allocations. These as the land was originally slated for already lost due to the incomplete complexities were ably negotiated by the 100 two-storey houses, the project was infrastructure installation and associated SA SDI Alliance social facilitator. Despite reduced to 49 single-storey houses. This penalties. A series of drawn-out internal a number of setbacks and many sleepless compromise meant that fewer housing negotiations between the Ruo Emoh nights, subdivision clearance was granted beneficiaries would receive a house as residents and support NGOs followed in December 2016. This was a significant part of the project, and those who did which resulted in a financial agreement breakthrough for all involved and testa- would need to pay more. It also meant to submit a new application to the ment to the hard work and dedication of that at a time when there was a cry for Provincial government for an increased Ruo Emoh community and its support medium to high-density housing across subsidy quantum. This amount was NGOs. At the end of 2016 all that South Africa (which would incorporate approved at the end of 2015. This left remained was to construct the houses. cross-subsidisation and innovate build- just one year to meet the conditions of Due to delays in releasing the subsidy ing methods when using state subsidies) subdivision that lapsed in early 2017. and a number of onerous administrative an opportunity was lost to create a The most vital of these conditions were: tasks, housing construction only began people-centred project and process. • An approved beneficiary list submitted in August 2017. Given the nature of the and accepted by Province project, short time-frames and restric- Restarting and regaining momentum • The installation of all infrastructure tion on state finance, a “sweat equity” FEDUP and uTshani Fund, assisted by (civil and electrical) or PHP self-build option was not feasi- Peoples Environmental Planning (PEP), • The construction of a boundary wall ble. Community input in the design and worked tirelessly to find funding, at the cost of the developer layout was extensive however. Mellon re-unite the community and overcome • The submission of a homeowner’s Housing was appointed as contrac- the institutional and administrative constitution with the local land use tor and all houses were completed by hurdles needed to restart Ruo Emoh. management department December 22nd, 2017. On the same day, Despite the financial and emotion- families received their title deeds and al setback, the community decided to PEP was appointed to oversee and moved into their new homes. The Ruo continue with an application to extend manage this process with the support Emoh residents paid the R6 500 per title subdivision for a further 5 years. After 18 of Ruo Emoh residents and Melanie deed, through a loan provided by he months and numerous meetings with the Johnson, who acted as social facilitator People’s led fund, which will be paid back sub-council, the city's Spatial Planning, on behalf of FEDUP and the SA SDI in full within a year.

10 ANTI-CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Ruo Emoh site; Residents discuss layout of the houses on the plot; The layout of each house was individually designed; Houses near completion; A big day: Title deeds are signed by homeowners; One of the many consultation meetings underway

2 Cited in People's Dialogue on Land and Shelter (1999). Negotiating for land: The construction and demolishing of Ruo Emoh's showhouse in Cape Town, August 1999.

11 THE JOURNEY TO RUO EMOH

Prior to the move to Ruo Emoh, families In the struggle to secure housing, lived in many different locations from most families moved numerous times various regions in the Western Cape with across the city or within a neighbour- some migrating from other provinces. hood. Moving to Ruo Emoh marks Most residents were backyarders or lived the end of these housing struggles in some form of overcrowded home and the start of a process of home and in the greater Mitchells Plain area (39 community building. families) or in Manenberg (10 families) The illustration on the right provides before moving to Colorado Park. a sense of these housing geographies.

TOP LEFT: Noah Schermbrucker briefs students during the research project. TOP RIGHT: Ruo Emoh residents join students for a braai during the research. BOTTOM: Archie Olkers shares some of his experience of the process with students. 88 BELOW: Before the move to Ruo Emoh, residents lived across the greater Cape Town metropole and beyond. The illustration shows the locations of families' past residences. ILLUSTRATION BY Marial Zimmermann

13 ADNAAN HENRICKS AND HIS WIFE TASNEEM IN THEIR KITCHEN. CHALLENGING AS A CHAIRMAN, JOYFUL AS A HOMEOWNER! Interviewee: Adnaan Hendricks Interviewers: Geetika Anand & Basil Studer

“You won’t believe it when my first child the process, however, Adnaan could not gangsterism, drugs and all those normal was born, we used to live in my father’s do his matric. Tasneem is the same age social problems that goes with it [here], house at that time, and I used to tell him, as Adnaan, went to college and is trained but in Manenberg, it’s like hundred times don’t worry son, we are going to have a in secretarial works, but she also lost her worse.” He spent most of his life in his house soon. Because that was the idea at job last year. They met when they were in father’s house in Rocklands. When he got that time, that we would get house in the 9th or 10th grade and have been married married, his wife also moved in with him next couple of years. Now I look back, he for 24 years now. in his room. Even though they had a is now 21 years old.” The eldest son is 21, studies math and separate entrance to their room, the Adnaan Hendricks’ extended family science at University of Western Cape, space was very cramped with other thought they were never going to move and he wants to go for a graduate siblings and their spouses also living in into their house, but the dream finally programme after finishing his undergrad. the same house. “I would advise every- came true. It was indeed a long, emotion- Their daughter is 16 and the two younger one who gets married to move in to your al and challenging journey for Adnaan sons are 11 and 7. All of them go to own place, even if it’s a one room, so that and his family, but now they are just school. The eleven year old is soon going you start off on your own feet.” This is very happy having moved into their own to go for Islamic studies for two to three what Adnaan had to say looking back. house. It’s a much better area for children years. Adnaan sends all his children to After that, they rented their own to grow up and commute to other parts do these studies, even though they fall place, close to his father’s house in of the city. back in school through this, because for Rocklands. He does not know why, but Adnaan is the current chairman of the him it is important to keep the heritage he says, that people in his community Ruo Emoh executive, he is 43 years old in the family, to keep the religion close. always want to buy or rent a house close and lives with his wife Tasneem and their He says that they can make up for this to mommy and daddy. It was slightly four children in their new house. They loss by doing double grades in one year bigger than this new house, but Adnaan got the house plan a little changed, so in college. says that you still live more comfortably that one room is slightly bigger than the Adnaan was born in Manenberg, when it really is your house. That way other. Adnaan and Tasneem have taken his parents were relocated there from there is no landlord coming over once a the smaller room, so that children can fit District Six when the Group Areas Act month to check if you’re breaking some- more comfortably in the bigger one. came in. There they lived until Adnaan thing or not. They lived twelve years in Adnaan is a certified rigger, but he was in grade one or two and then they that house, a former RDP house, owners struggles finding a long lasting job, most- moved to Rocklands in Mitchells Plain. of which had moved out into a bigger ly because uncertified workers can be The reason to move was the high bond house using the rent to cover the hired on lower rates. He started working crime rate in Manenberg due to acute costs of the loan. Adnaan thinks that at a young age when his uncle, a qualified impoverishment. Calling Manenberg this is a smart idea, but nowadays RDP mechanic, took him under his wing. In a slum, Adnaan tells, “we do have our houses do not have the same quality

15 because the plot size has reduced so was also part of the group, but her Adnaan is sure that if everybody was much. Over 12 years, rent increased from husband managed to get a bond to more empowered with what to do and R1 500 to R3 700. Adnaan preferred this buy his own house, and that’s when how to do it, the project could have house over his father’s; one, because it she left the group. Adnaan and his gone much faster, but he says that there was his own house (even though rented) mother, however, stayed on and would is also a positive side to this with all the and he was paying for it; and two, always go to the community meetings new and very nice people joining in the because it was located in a circle (like his and save money when they could. From project later. When he became chair- current house), where kids were safe to that time, Adnaan says there are about man two and a half years back now, a lot play, unlike his father’s house where one ten people who stuck to the process happened, with Melanie coming on the had to check on them all the time. and have managed to secure a board integrating the project from the When asked, which of the places he house now. For his mother it was Manenberg side, and also coming to- lived was the best located one, he clearly also important, as she still lived with gether with the technical team. They also says that it is the new one. He states: Adnaan’s father even though they were wanted to have a new approach, so that “There’s a smart thing about this house. divorced, but she could not move out, they would be part of everything, every Although it’s RDP house, when you not having a job. There was a lot of design choice they wanted to partake. drive past, you won’t say it. Anybody pressure to leave the group, as many “The laziness we had to cut out of would just think it’s an enclosed secure thought it will always stay a dream ourselves. In other words, if Noah then complex.” and one could not see much progress says, certain things happening today, Adnaan joined Ruo Emoh 20 years happening on the ground. somewhere, we gotta be part of that. So ago in 1998 on his mother’s sugges- you gotta stay out of work. That’s why I tion, who is also a member. The project “Imagine, you keep on telling am saying, being a chairman took a lot was about 2 years old when he joined. your children, daddy is busy out of me.” Adnaan described the project as RDP There were many fights to overcome: housing with bottom-up approach, but with this project and you are “Even in our committee meetings, we he said that people who started the going to get house soon. And would fight. And that is how you get project also lacked knowledge on how you bring them here, to the things done, you fight with each other. to approach this whole process. Even area, and remember, at that When you see people not fighting, then though he had his doubts, Adnaan says it time it was only bush and trees you must know something is not right. was out of desperation that he joined and and sand. And they look at this […] When you see people fighting, you stuck to the project for so long. He did know there’s passion, they are doing not see the possibility to get a house in place, like seriously! And then things.” any other way, because the banks would nothing is done. You don’t see Adnaan learned in the process to be never give him a loan, since he did not bulldozers coming.” more thorough, following up on people have a secure, well-paid job. His sister when he needed them to do something,

16 but also to be stricter with himself. Also not that safe to send your children there son that he can take to college. He hopes they found that it was important that you alone. So Adnaan drives them every day, that he won’t be too late for that. He is would bring everybody at the same table, and because they are all in a different thinking about starting his own business, so that nobody can blame the other grade he needs to drive a lot. At the but he has to think about what he is without having to engage directly with moment they live off the child support good in and one that does not need them. The most difficult part of the they get, which is enough for food and capital to start. project was that it was held back through the gas for the car. Adnaan also does odd As a chairman, he wants to leave a the ratepayers association for almost jobs whenever he gets a chance. Adnaan legacy, for the next chairman to have big eight years. Adnaan wishes that people has full faith in God: shoes to fill. There is an election every in South Africa would start caring for “My religion tells me His plans are two years, the next one is in one year. each other, that way a lot of time could better than your plans. When you have Until then the committee is busy man- have been saved. During this time there R10, He will put what we call (Arabic aging the place, taking care of the ‘snags’ were still costs for the group, and people term for a gift). That R10, God will put coming out, the construction faults due would ask what happens to their money His blessing and make it worth R1000. I to poor workmanship or bad quality when they could not see any progress in told you we keep our religion close to us. equipment. Also they need to get parks the project because of the different set- So we ask for God’s help. Looks like it’s and forestry into the neighbourhood, as backs. Adnaan however does not want to working, I am surviving. You must have they want to transform the place in front hold grudges, but he will always mention faith.” of the gate that is allocated as a park area the struggles he had with them, telling Adnaan’s plan is to eventually expand into an open gym. the story. Now the tone has completely the house with a second storey. He does Adnaan would describe his experience changed and the residents of Ruo Emoh not want to build outwards as now he has as a chairman as challenging, because are seen as a part of the neighbourhood. a nice space in front of his house to eat he would always be the one that would Another difficult phase of the project with the family and visitors. Elaborating have to carry the blame for anything was when the infrastructure was in place, on future plans for the house, Tasneem the committee does. Asked to remove but the houses weren’t. This meant that said that they would build five bedrooms the chairman hat, he describes it very everyone either had to pay for the securi- on top (one for themselves and four for different: ty or come and guard the place them- the four children), move the kitchen to “It was the most awesome feeling, the selves so that there is no vandalism. This current kids’ room, convert their current most awesome feeling. I mean, when just added to the long list of expenses bedroom into a dining room and make we were told that you must come and that people had to incur before they even the current living room into a big lounge. collect your key, I came with my… I had saw the sign of their houses being built. He also has a cactus garden, which he a trailer. I took the last pennies I had... I In the new neighbourhood, they feel wants to further develop. But all of these couldn’t afford a truck. I just had a trailer. safe, as the gangsterism is out complete- plans require money and when he has It was a smart thing, because I just paid ly. However the schools are far and it’s some he first wants to fix a car for his 200 bucks for whole 24 hours. So, I came

17 up and down with it. All I needed was fuel in my car. And I came with every- thing I had. […] You must ask the people here, this space was full of all my stuff outside, because I want to move into my house. And a lot of people did the same thing. It was epic. That was really epic. I mean a dream finally coming true. […] It’s a very unique place. Even our visitors who come here, when they visit, they don’t wanna leave [when] kids come here, they don’t want to leave”. Echoing the feelings, Tasneem said that they were the first ones to move in. When they got the keys, they did not want to wait even one more day. The day they moved in, they (and another family) stayed up the whole night. They lit the fire. It was like a camp. Everybody was up talking about their journey to get the house. Nobody wanted to sleep, for them it was still a dream, and they were afraid the house might not be there when they woke up the next day. Tasneem is just happy that they don’t have to pay rent anymore, and they don’t have to make sacrifices to save money for rent and other expenses that they incurred to access this house- including lawyer’s fees, security, mobile toilets, and so on.

18 EBRAHIM AND FATIMA ABRAHMS IN THEIR LOUNGE. ASCEND TO DIGNITY Interviewee: Ebrahim and Fatima Abrahms Interviewers: Abdullahi Ali Hassan & Adesola Adelowo

Zaakiah, the energetic five-year old girl she arrived in Ruo Emoh. Ebrahim much and they started to feel power- comes running into the house and yells was born in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town in less like they couldn’t help bring about at the top of her lungs, “Mama, mama, 1968 and he grew up in Hanover Park positive change for their community so mama. I’m going to Layla’s house to play.” and Belhar. From Belhar he moved to the Abrahams resigned some years back Her mother responds calmly, “Ok. Ok. Manenberg where he and Fatima lived from the police service. But the desire to Please, close the door,” as Zaakiah – until they moved to Ruo Emoh. In bring that sense of safety and security to who is barely tall enough to reach the addition to their daughter, Zaakiah, and where they live is what has driven Fatima door knob – slams the door shut. Her the Abrahms household also includes and Ebrahim to be patient and persevere parents watched her exit with a serene Fatima’s uncle, Adil. while they were waiting for Ruo Emoh to calmness knowing their daughter is Now you might be wondering, how become a reality. safe wherever she makes a friend in the Fatima and Ebrahim met? Both of them But was saving money and moving to neighbourhood. were committed to keeping their neigh- Ruo Emoh worth the wait? The simple This exchange describes Ebrahim and bourhoods safe. They had formal jobs as answer is YES! Fatima Abrahms new normal when they constables in the South African They explain: "It’s worth it to feel settled became newly-minted homeowners at Provincial Police through which they so you can have aspirations and set goals Ruo Emoh. Instead of gunshots, teenag- first met. for the future. I have my own house, I ers fighting, or drivers beeping their car Ebrahim explains: "I always care about own a roof over my head and I'm going horn, life in their new neighbourhood our communities because of the gang- to be more free to do things in life, by is peaceful and quiet – it’s so quiet it sterism, the drugs and the violence in setting goals from here onwards." feels eerie. But before January 2018, the our community. So, I first started off with "It’s worth it to fondly look forward to Abrahms were living at a backyard in a neighbourhood watch. I had my own going home after a long day of work. Manenberg. Like many backyarders, they neighbourhood watch for twenty years. Every day I go to work. Sometimes when had been on the journey to create a life And then afterwards, I told myself, let's you’re backyarder, you don’t feel like that would be safe and secure enough to go a step further in life by asking the going home. You can feel [the stress] have a family and raise children. police to join them. I had to make sure coming down the road. Yeah, more Fatima was born in Woodstock, I knew how things really worked within money, more money and every time. Cape Town in 1970 and she grew up in the South African police. When you’re When I started living there seven years Belgravia in Athlone, in the Cape Flats. on the inside, then you understand how ago I paid R400 per month. When we left She became a backyarder in around 1999 the system works. Since then, I’m still it, it was up to R900 per month and that’s when she moved to her mother’s back- trying to work within the community as without electricity and water. Now, when yard for seven years. For another eleven a community worker." I’m done with work at twelve, I can go years, she would move from As with many government organiz- home. And it’s so very good to open your different backyards in Manenberg until sations, the bureaucracy became too door, just to say, “Hi, I’m back. I’m done

20 working, make me some tea, some coffee, a sandwich.” But before, sometimes, we didn’t even feel like going home. Mama, mama, mama. I’m going to Layla’s It’s worth it to belong to a community. “house to play.” Her mother responds calmly, The people here, we greet one another, we talk to one another. Sometimes the “Ok. Ok. Please, close the door,” as Zaakiah – doors are open like weekends to twelve who is barely tall enough to reach the door o'clock. The kids are playing [outside] knob – slams the door shut. Her parents here. I don’t think they would have watched her exit with a serene calm knowing“ played in other areas like that. Our their daughter is safe wherever she makes a neighbour brought us food to eat. We friend in the neighbourhood. didn’t expect it. And we baked some cake, we shared with our neighbour. It’s worth it to have the dignity of living under your own roof. There’s nobody to shout at you and tell you what to do, you know. You don’t have to look outside and say, oh yeah, the landlord is coming, she’s coming again. To live like that, it's like living in hell. Because you have to eat up everything that people do to you, say to you because you just wanted a place under a roof. And my staying here now, it's a bigger relief and it's an honour to have your own roof over your head. I can go to my own tap to get a little water. I feel free to go to my own toilet [and] not worry about what [the landlord] is going to say when I ask them, if it’s possible to use their toilet. Everything was upstairs for us. Even water was away, we have to go fetch water upstairs. SUMAYA HENRICKS AND HER SON AMEER IN HER RUO EMOH HOME. OH TO MY FAMILY…FREEDOM Interviewee: Sumaya Hendricks Interviewers: Lea Nienhoff, Kaylin Harrison, Israel Ogundare

Mother of three, Sumaya Hendricks Sumaya was born in District Six Sumaya and her husband joined the resides in Ruo Emoh with her husband and lived there until she was 12. "It was Ruo Emoh committee 12 years ago and Ismail Hendricks and their two sons, different there", she says, "we were three were very involved in the meetings and Imtiyaaz and Ameer. For the Hen- families in one house and everyone had workshops held. Previously, her hus- dricks’s getting a house in Ruo Emoh lots of kids in District Six." Looking band Ismail served on the committee has changed the family’s life: A blessing back she thinks "District Six was like a as a treasurer, but had to leave in order as Sumaya describes it. Living in Ruo big camping site," the kids were run- to pursue job opportunities. Thereafter, Emoh is a much different experience to ning around barefoot, and when they Sumaya replaced him to remain involved having lived in her mother’s home for 14 didn’t have something to eat at home, in the project. She did however find it years. For Sumaya, this place that she has they would go to the neighbours and challenging as there was much to learn. now made her Home is her “Heaven”. It’s get some potatoes. Sumaya has a lively When she looks back to the process now Freedom. memory of this time and she says "I can sometimes she would have liked to have still remember the riot of 1976, I was in more voice in the discussions. "Each one “Freedom, yeah. For my kids, grade 1 at the time and I can still remem- of us, each individual has a different…a for myself – oh freedom to ber how we ran amok." When people own agenda," Sumaya finds. She gives an were forcibly removed Sumaya and her example: whatever,” she says and smiles. family moved to Mitchells Plain, where "Like for instance, in the case of the her mother lives to this day. Moving to geysers. The committee had to decide if Sumaya lived in her mother’s home Mitchells Plain, she says, "was actually a the houses will get the high or the low with her husband and two kids in a blessing, because we had our own house, pressure ones. We expected to get it for single room. They’ve never known what we could turn off the lights at night, we free but then the government said they it is to have a space of their own. She says had hot and cold water." don’t subsidize the geysers anymore. about her children: “They never had a When Sumaya got married, her family The committee decided to take the high place before. It means more than a lot, it moved around Mitchells Plain until pressure ones. But those are much more means the world. Honestly.” they had to move back into her mother’s expensive and that was impossible for Her family struggled and could not house. Previously, they rented to have us to cope with. If you don’t have a fixed afford a house. Sumaya has also been on their own space, but when her husband amount that comes in, you can’t budget a waiting list for a house for many years Ismail lost his job the couple, by then around that." –since 1990. Reflecting on her experi- having two sons, had to move into the It is these things that the members of ence, she said: “Financially you are not house of Sumaya’s mother. Moving into the community had to navigate around able to buy a house even if you are above Ruo Emoh was an emotional experience and find solutions for. Everyone wanted a bracket of R10 000 a month, you can’t, for not only Sumaya, but her mother as to become a homeowner and people in it’s just impossible...it’s impossible to get well. the community were very driven and a bond even if you have a little salary”.

23 motivated with this goal in mind. This electricity, food or water will come from. kept everyone together despite the chal- The financial burden on her family is lenges. Sumaya described the experience now much less. as a risk, which was worth taking and “I am pretty comfortable with my own said that they had to persevere and have space... Since we moved here I could patience throughout the process in order open the door, my kids are playing out- to finally become homeowners. Sumaya side... Everything is just perfect for me.” said: The place is what the Hendricks have constructed and made home for them- “The meetings were quite nice, selves. Sumaya has owned her space, you know, we inspired each speaking of how she has made changes to make this house her home, she says: other, because everybody want- “I couldn’t see myself living with ed a house, so that really kept yellow walls. When I changed the walls, us going.” I thought this is mine.”

Sumaya describes what it was like for the community and her family to move into Ruo Emoh: "We moved in just before Christmas. It was so exciting. Around Christmas time it was really calm. I am Muslim, so I don’t celebrate Christmas. But for my Christian neighbours it was special. For New Years we organized a street party to celebrate all together. Unfortunately, it was raining." Sumaya is happy with her new house. It gives her peace of mind knowing that she has this space and that her children are safe in the community. Having this home means that the Hendricks have less worry or fear. Fear about where the next meal will come from or where the

24 ARCHIE OLKERS IN FRONT OF HIS HOUSE BUSY WITH LANDSCAPING. EVERYONE DESERVES A HOME Interviewee: Archie Olkers Interviewers: Rosca Warries & Florence Siegenthaler

“Everyone deserves a home. We built it on a Wednesday, it was about two of us are going forward, and not one The Ruo Emoh community four days to be built, and on Monday it will turn on the other one’s back. And was opened, and Tuesday, the army, the up till today, I’m still working with him. finally moved into theirs. Now police, everyone, was out there to tell us It’s now 20 years, and he helped get the it is our mission to put other to demolish that house”. project going”. homeless people in housing”. Yet, the group was not ready to give And keeping the project going, that up that easily. They went to town and meant challenging each and every It’s a hot day in Mitchells Plain. Archie asked the council for ground to build one’s perseverance. One of the found- Olkers, Uncle Archie we call him, sits their houses. Being told that there was ing members died only little time after on a red plastic chair in one of the newly no ground available, they then went having started the project. And then built houses on a piece of land that had around themselves and, indeed, would there were all the struggles that life kept been ready for them already twenty years soon find the very piece of land we are ready for Archie beyond the project. Yet ago. And as we sit with him today, on a standing on right now, on that sunny even those, he managed to turn into fuel, worn-out flower-patterned sofa that he Wednesday in March. rather than inhibitions for his goal. covered with white cloth for us, he looks Back then it was commercial business “I can remember when my wife, that back on over two decades of fighting ground, bought for R230 000, pre- was on a Sunday, said I must see that I for these 49 neatly aligned houses that financed by the uTshani Fund, which put our children into a house. The Mon- are just about to be turned into homes. the group was working with. day morning after I had to leave early Uncle Archie is no less than one of the As fast as the ground was provided, and by the time I was back she’d passed founder members of the Ruo Emoh as hard and long was the struggle that away. So, I made sure I get the project community and part of its committee for followed. Uncle Archie saw it all: From finished”. 22 years. re-zoning to building fences and adher- His kids, in the meantime, grew up. Flashback. 1996. A group of people, ing to the government’s requirements His son, 30 years old, lives in Beacon amongst them Uncle Archie, comes to- and regulatory processes. Valley, where Uncle Archie stays as well. gether over a common goal: Solving their “After the first five years, no housing His daughter, who works as a part-time housing problems. was built. When the approval of the nurse, is about to move into one of the “You see, all these people get stuck re-zoning was there, there was no money. Ruo Emoh houses with her son. on the housing project, waiting 30 or No money was there because the funders “You know, the boy stays at the neigh- 40 years for a house and you know you got out, five years is long. So, I took that bours next door when she is not here, end up never ever getting a house. That paper to the director of PEP and I asked when she is at work on Mondays”. is how we progressed. So, what we did “Do you help me?”. I got approval, every- Their housing struggle isn’t fully was we built an illegal house in Wood- thing. But now I need help. And he said resolved. Neither Archie nor his daugh- lands that was on council ground (...) okay, he will help me, he will help me the ter has received the keys for the house

26 yet. It’s a last piece of waiting and it is walls in off-white that are finally put nerve-straining. Uncle Archie explains where they belong. What we need to he does not feel any malevolence for the acknowledge is the effort and trust put people, who might have had an easier or into the community over all these years shorter way to their houses, at least with- to keep it together, to ensure that to the Lets go forward and build in Ruo Emoh, says Uncle Archie. Some outside, they could stand up as one and “this community. Lets make “ people have waited longer than others, speak with one strong voice. since many dropped out on the way. And that voice, after all, is what this the place we want and “You see some of us have been back created the village-like atmosphere we need it to be. struggling 20 years... It just took too long encounter here today. Parents letting to build these houses.” their kids play outside. Neighbours Talking to him, we need to watching out for others. People coming acknowledge the challenging community together for braais late at night. And dynamics that have arisen despite, or amidst all of them, Uncle Archie, buzzing maybe even because, they were standing around, paving backyards and moving up for one common goal. furniture. Archie’s friend Naeemah, joined our “Here is still plenty of work for me conversation with her little daughter. She to do...not only to do...but also to see listened to Uncle Archie’s story. For her it that things go on. We as Ruo Emoh must raises the issue of community. not stop. Because we got our houses and “Amidst all this beautiful stuff that is a responsibility to put other happening, there’s also something to be people into housing as well. And we are sorted in order for us to say this is a close not rich people, but we can be knit community. From the outside every- clean people. And that is the main part. thing might seem hunky-dory, but when You can see where there is love from you talk to someone like Uncle Archie a family to the house. You need to you see the other difficulties that we were appreciate it. What was build up over facing all the time.” the years, that must not be destroyed. The story of Ruo Emoh, then, is not Whatever you can do, help the next only about speaking with one strong person” voice to the government and fighting for This is Uncle Archie’s message: Lets housing. It is fighting for the community go forward and build this community. itself as well. What we need to acknow- Lets make this the place we want and ledge is not only the perfectly plastered need it to be. MARILDIA BENJAMIN AT HER FRONT DOOR THIS IS A CAPTION WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE PHOTO’S NAMES, THE PLACE AND THE DATE A PLACE TO REST AFTER A LONG JOURNEY: THE BENJAMIN FAMILY Interviewee: Marildia Benjamin Interviewers: Joseph Ngben & James Clacherty

Marildia Benjamin (75) was born in moved to Cape Town alone and started a the idea of owning our own home, and Uitenhage, thirty minutes outside of Port four-year apprenticeship programme at so we decided to join.” In 2012, Mrs. Elisabeth. She grew up in Uitenhage and the pharmacy to become a pharmacy as- Jacobs attended their first Ruo Emoh attended her first few years of primary sistant. “The owner there was a very nice savings scheme meeting. Every month school there before leaving school. “In man. He helped me to study and I en- each household had to contribute R1000 those days we didn’t stay in school long. joyed the work.” While working in Cape to the savings scheme. If a household You learned the basics and then you Town she met her husband and the two couldn’t afford to pay the whole R1000 went to find work or stayed at home.” of them moved into a house in Lentegeur at every meeting then they could pay Mrs. Benjamin met her husband Galiem together. At this stage both Mr. and Mrs. the amount in installments between one Benjamin (85) in Uitenhage where he Benjamin were retired and Nasreen was meeting and the next. These meetings was working as a painter for an interior the primary earner in the family. To help were held about once every two months, decorating firm. All three of the Nasreen to support them more easily usually in Lentegeur near to the site of Benjamin’s children were born in and to keep her company in the new city, Ruo Emoh. Uitenhage. Nasreen, Gadija and their son where she was living alone with her new After the first year of waiting for their Aabied. Because of Mr. Benjamin’s work husband, the family decided to move home in Ruo Emoh, Mr. and Mrs. with the interior decorating company to Cape Town. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin, Benjamin moved from Lentegeur to a the family moved a number of times along with Gadija moved to Cape Town house down the road from Gadija in within South Africa. “We're like hippies,” in 2004 to join Nasreen and her husband Strandfontein for a short while before says Nasreen, “we grew up in Uitenhage in the house they were moving to Colorado Park to rent a and then we stayed in Paarl for about renting in Lentegeur. During this time house with Nasreen and her husband. three years, the whole family, and then Gadija met her Capetonian husband and Colorado Park is right next to the Ruo we went back to Uitenhage and then they moved to Strandfontein together. Emoh site and the house they lived in we stayed in Jo’burg for about another It was after a few years in Lentegeur was just down the road from their new two years. So we've been all over.” While that Mr and Mrs. Jacobs first heard about house in Ruo Emoh. “The house in living in Johannesburg Nasreen was the Ruo Emoh project. Nasreen’s sister Colorado had a big yard for the children introduced to the pharmacy industry, in law Fagwa Jacobs has been part of the to play in and there was a nice garden working at a pharmacy in Crown Mines project from the very beginning in 1998 and it was a little bit bigger [than the for the two years that the family lived in and is on the Ruo Emoh committee. She Ruo Emoh house] but not that much there. told the family about the project and bigger. It was a freestanding house, two In 2003 Nasreen got an internship at a about the savings scheme. “We were bedrooms with a big lounge and a small pharmacy in Claremont, Cape Town. She impressed by what she told us, about kitchen and a bathroom, with the toilet

29 and the bathroom separate. The space for their money back the committee very impressed by how well it had been was enough for us. It was much better told them that they wouldn’t be able to finished. They had not expected it to than living in Lentegeur. The environ- pay them out yet and instead encour- have already been plastered and for the ment there is not that nice, especially for aged them to wait just a little bit longer. bathroom to have already been fitted and children. There are a lot of drugs and that They had waited for a long time and so the plumbing installed. They had also ex- kind of thing. In Colorado there is much they ended up staying in spite of their pected the house to have a tin roof rather less of that.” concerns. “It was because of Fagwa that than the tiles that had been used. The During the time they were waiting for we ended up staying. She was part of only thing they did to the house before something to happen with the Ruo Emoh the committee and she would always say moving in was to lay the tiles. site they were participating in the savings ‘no things are happening’. And she had “You know the timing was actual- scheme and attending the community been waiting for twenty years already! So ly unbelievable” says Nasreen. Only a meetings. There were times during this she helped us to trust the project. And month after the family got the deed for process, however, when they were wor- then when we saw that they had started their house Nasreen and her husband got ried that the project wouldn’t get off the to build, we realised that this was really a divorce and she had to leave the house ground. Mrs. Benjamin felt a bit removed going to happen” says Mrs. Jacobs. they had shared in Colorado Park. from the whole process at times saying, “We definitely learned patience and “The same time the house became avail- “the committee members were the ones trust from all of this” adds Gadija. able I went through the most terrible doing all the work and so I wasn’t much Once the first work on the infrastruc- time of my life and there was a house involved. I paid into the scheme and ture was started it became necessary to available for my parents and myself to went to some of the meetings but that guard the site so that people couldn’t move in here. So the timing was like, was about all I did at that time.” Gadija come and steal any of the infrastructure really, it helped a lot, really a lot. And had also attended some of the meetings already installed or the materials stored the environment here also. I was under on her mother’s behalf while Mrs. on site. Every night for almost a year one psychiatrists and everything you know Benjamin looked after her husband member of the community would stand for all the things that I've been through. who had developed very bad arthritis. guard at the site. Because Mrs. Jacobs It's just, you know all the different people “At some stage we thought that maybe and her husband were too old to do the staying here, they are very nice people it was some sort of scheme, you know,” guard duty themselves they paid R360 and it keeps my mind busy because you Gadija says, “we were quite worried.” for someone else to take their place when will always see someone coming past and At one point about two years ago it was their turn. Eventually when the saying ‘hello, how are you?’ or the chil- the family even considered leaving the infrastructure was completed and the top dren go play so it's really a big help for project and getting the money they had structures built the deed for the house me to move on now again.” Mrs. Jacobs invested in the savings scheme paid was transferred to Mrs. Jacobs who is says that more than anything else she is back to them. This was a critical stage in the sole owner of the house. When the relieved to know that she now owns her the project and when the family asked family came to see the house they were house.

30 “It is much more comfortable animosity between the Colorado Park “The favourite house I have lived in knowing that I own the house. residents and the new Ruo Emoh resi- is in Port Elizabeth” says Nasreen “Just dents. The family said that the Colorado because of the family and friends. But I I can relax now.” Park residents thought that the people wouldn't like to move away from Cape moving into Ruo Emoh would bring Town though because Cape Town is There are still things that the family problems with drugs and crime with nice and it's different from PE. People would like to change about their house them. There was an impression that all are friendlier here in Cape Town. They though. Mrs. Jacobs feels that there is the Ruo Emoh residents were poor back- always say that PE is a friendly city but not that much space between their house yarders from Lentegeur which is seen as Cape Town is, people get more involved. and their neighbour’s and so the family being a bit of a rough neighbourhood. And now we have this house. My chil- wants to build a vibacrete boundary wall: But when the Colorado Park residents dren like it because there are so many “You go out your door and everyone saw the kind of people that they were, children here. And they go to a good else is just there”. “Everyone is very kind they realised that they are people just like Islamic school here and I wouldn’t want and helpful and so we don’t mind being anybody else and that there was no real to mess with that.” so close” says Mrs. Jacobs “but it would need for concern. be nice to have a bit of space”. “And the The Jacobs family has only been living sand! There is always sand everywhere!” in the house for three months and they Gadija adds. The yards of all the houses have already started to plan the exten- are still just bare sand as no one has had sions to their house. Apart from the wall time to cover them. The Jacobs family and laying concrete in the yard, the first wants to lay concrete down in their yard plan is to build an extra wing onto the to keep it cleaner. “I would also like it if house to make Nasreen’s room bigger they put something there in front, by the and extend the kitchen. They also want gate. People are all friendly here, they to replace the bath with a shower to are well-mannered people. So I feel very make Mr. Jacobs’ life easier. Many other safe. I can go and sleep a little bit and people in Ruo Emoh are considering the child can go play outside and I don't building an extra storey onto their hous- need to worry about anything going on. es but for now Mrs. Jacobs says that just But it would be nice to have something making the rooms bigger will be enough. so it's not so easy for the children to walk They want to do this before the end of out or for someone to come in.” the year and have already got the original In spite of the fact that the neighbours plans for their house from Adnaan, the to Ruo Emoh in Colorado Park fought chairperson of the committee. the Ruo Emoh project, there is no

31 SHIRLEY FORTUIN (MIDDLE) ALONG WITH INTERVIEWERS SAYAK ROY (RIGHT) & ADEMOLA OMOEGUN (LEFT) THE “IRON” LADY Interviewee: Shirley Fortuin Interviewers: Sayak Roy & Ademola Omoegun

Shirley Fortuin lives alone in Ruo Emoh, metal badges. My portion of work is in strates her commitment to the cause: and works in a metal badge making processing. I really like my job. Many “Hahaha …. Something funny company in Salt River where she has schools have come to our company to happened once ... a meeting got worked for about 15 years. She has been make badges, even from your school, the cancelled. Because everybody wants through some challenging times in life UCT student society has also come to us government housing and more than 100 but like fine iron processed through fire to make badges.” people signed up for this meeting. As a she has come out strong. She had hoped Shirley also has a strong sense of com- result, we changed the venue to a local to move into her new house with her munity and hope. Born in Kensington school … I still remembered then we family but unfortunately she lost her two she moved to Manenberg with her family used to have consecutive meetings on sons in the last 3 years whilst waiting when she was 13. They lived in a brick Saturday afternoon and Sunday after- to get the house, but her grandchildren house, which belongs to her mother and noon … I mean if you don’t have a house visit from time to time so she has plans she still visits often as it is not far away. of your own and you can get the oppor- to decorate one of the two rooms in the Growing up for her in Manenberg was tunity to own a house, won’t you take it? house for them so they can sleep there very challenging as it was not safe, there … if you have a wedding to attend this when they are around. She is 57 years old were often gang fights, with gun shots afternoon (Saturday) and there’s a meet- but does not look it and it is obvious she and many deaths. Over there, it is not ing about the houses, what is more im- gets questioned about this often as she is very safe to walk around freely unlike in portant, attending the wedding or going quick to say she has her ID card with her Ruo Emoh she says. However she insists to the meeting about the houses because to prove her age. that Manenberg also had its good sides, you want to know what’s going on … Shirley was educated up to grade 11 for example in some areas people also there will always be other weddings …” but she insists that life has taught her play street soccer, street net ball or do She describes her relationship with a lot, which a formal education cannot street parties at night. So, it depends on other residents of Ruo Emoh as being provide. She is very committed to her who you are and where you are and on very cordial because they had met during work and everything she is involved what people choose. So she insists that it meetings in their struggle for a common in, and is proud to talk about her work is important not to stereotype. objective, and they knew each other well and display some of the products from She got involved in Ruo Emoh about and were basically like family. Further- her company, showing some pictures of 12 years ago through a friend who hosted more they were all fully involved in the their products on her phone as well as one of the meetings, which Melanie (the course of the project and she was also a key ring which she made completely social facilitator) organised. Her friend quite active herself. by herself describing how the raw iron subsequently asked her to join and after “See in this process we people were was transformed into finished products joining she never relented. She recalls a also part of the project. If there is man- through hard work. funny episode early on when she joined agement, management is made of us. For “ … Our company has made many and provides a description that demon- example, at a point all 49 housing units

33 were divided into five small groups and I likes our housing. So, the perceptions are housing conditions, such as the toilets, was the treasurer of one group … we did changing slowly, slowly …” and the best part is the flexibility in the daily savings, sometimes 2 rand or 3 rand On what the main lessons learned and interior structure. per day to manage all the emergency what it means to move into Ruo Emoh, “You know Ruo Emoh is very issues …. The entire process was good. Shirley explains: different from other housing societies, From the facilitator to the NGO, every- because: They are very flexible regarding one is very positive and frankly without “… first things first, never the interior housing structure. You can them, this project will be a distant dream. underestimate yourself, never find that most of the household utilize Like if Melanie says that she will do the fixed space according to their own something by Wednesday, by Wednesday lose hope, something good will needs. That’s the most beautiful part that thing is done … she’s sharp...” happen. You have to believe of this project. You know in African Nevertheless, Shirley highlights that this; otherwise you become housing, people make the foundations there were challenges along the way, both impatient and lose everything. higher than ground level. That creates amongst themselves and also externally Please hold on to what you a problem for disabled and old people. with the opposition to the project from want … persevere …. [Mov- So, they are free to choose what people the neighbourhood ratepayers. But they want. So, you can find some have a good tackled the challenges collectively as they ing into Ruo Emoh] was very foundation height (inaccessible for are very democratic and everyone is giv- emotional because I mean you people who uses wheelchair) and most en the opportunity to express their views get a house of your own, I think of the people kept it normal”. and all opinions are considered. She everybody wants that eventual- further explains that this unity has also ly … Ruo Emoh stands for; contributed to the gradual changing of Our Home! … It’s not my perceptions by the ratepayers who earlier opposed their presence in the neigh- home. The term “my” is in- bourhood due to fears over safety and dividual but “our” carries the potential depreciation of property values notion of community … in in the area because of their presence. the end you got that blessing “Let me share a story with you. There so your door must be open for is a market outside on the left. One day everyone to come …” a lady shop owner was chatting with me and asked me where I came from, I told She also described that the Ruo Emoh her I am from Ruo Emoh. Then she came housing complex is very different from with me and saw everything. After that other subsidized housing areas. The main she said that she is very satisfied and difference she observed is in terms of 34 Not waiting for others to help you out, but working together for a common goal, that is the key to Ruo Emoh’s success. Farida Gester 'TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE MORE': SOLIDARITY AS A KEY TO COMMUNITY BUILDING Interviewee: Farida Gester Interviewers: Majaha Dlamini & Janine Eberle

Farida Gester grew up in Wynberg where dren were still little. Farida was working A community that might become a her parents rented a place. She was as a machinist in a factory at that time, family living with her happy big family. Farida but after the accident she was forced to In December 2017, when Farida could chuckles when thinking back to that time live off a disability grant from the state. It finally move into her house in Ruo staying with her parents, four brothers was very difficult for her to get by with- Emoh, she decided to take her younger and three sisters. out her regular income, but her parents son and his family with her. Farida is In about 1980 - Farida was around always supported her, like they did with very happy to finally have her own house 21 years old - her family was pushed to all their children. and her family is excited to live here. It live further outside the city. “The owners With the years, her parents got ill and will still take a while for her to see how of the house in Wynberg claimed it for after her mother’s death, Farida did the that changed her life in the long run, she themselves. My parents only rented cooking for everyone who visited their says. For her, the move from Portland to it and that time it was still apartheid.” house or came by to play football. When Ruo Emoh was not such a big change, Farida explains. The whole family moved also her father died, Farida decided to since she was already living in a house to Lentegeur in Mitchells Plain, where move out. The house in Lentegeur had before, also there she was sharing a room they lived together for 30 years. When only 3 rooms and was very crowded. with her other grandchildren. The living Farida talks about that time, she speaks With her siblings, nieces, nephews and situation did not significantly change of her father as a very sociable person, in-laws living there all together, she had her everyday life. For her younger son’s who welcomed all people into their wanted to find a more spacious place for family it is different, since their former home, regardless of their skin colour. a long time already, but she stayed for place was not as spacious and they had There would always be visitors around the sake of her parents, which she cared to pay a high rent to be able to stay in the house, especially when her brothers for and looked after. It was important to Lentegeur. Their move from the backyard scouted teammates to play football with them that the family stayed together. So to Ruo Emoh marked a significant shift them. When Farida’s two sons were old after they passed away, Farida’s oldest in their lives. Certainly, everyone is more enough, they would also play football son who was living in a two-room house comfortable here than where we lived in her father’s team, with people from in Portland, asked her to move in with before, Farida says. different townships. Her mother used to his family. That is now 8 years ago. In It was 6 or 7 years ago when cook for all the people and everybody Portland Farida shared a room with the Farida joined the Ruo Emoh commu- would have a good time. 3 grandchildren, two girls and one boy. nity. She heard about the project from Her parents also supported her after Meanwhile, her younger son and his the beginning when her neighbours in she had a bad accident on her way to family were staying in the backyard of Lentegeur were talking about it. But as work. That is now 20 years ago, her chil- other people in Lentegeur. she was still living in her parent’s house

36 with her whole family, she rather stayed another wall outside the house and add there. She looked after her parents when another room. It is even possible that they weren’t as fit anymore and need- they will add a second floor at some ed someone to look after them. It was point. Time will show, for now they like only when she moved to Portland with it as it is. her oldest son, she decided to join the She hopes that this project will spread community. It wasn’t easy but her family so that more places like Ruo Emoh will supported her so that she could contrib- exist in the future. ute to the saving scheme. When there were functions, and meetings, she would Social cohesion and the always be there and help to push forward the project. She appreciates all the hard feeling of solidarity are very work everyone in the community has put important for Farida. This into its success. The biggest obstacle in is how she grew up living the process in her view was the city not with her family and also cooperating with them. It is hard to see how she explains the success why they just didn’t let them build their of Ruo Emoh. Everyone is own houses, why they had to make it such a long and hard struggle. The neigh- like family here, looks after bourhood ratepayers also added to the one another and this is how problem, they did not want Ruo Emoh to Ruo Emoh has been able to be built. Farida says that they thought the achieve so much. new houses would be low-class houses and this would be bad for the area. Their Not waiting for others to help you out, resentment was nothing personal and but working together for a common goal, Farida is positive that the relationship that is the key to Ruo Emoh’s success, will improve over time, now that they Farida says. can get to know each other. “It has to.” she chuckles. Farida has visions for her house, but it will take time to really decide on what to build. For now, she is very happy with how everything looks. At some point she would like to extend a veranda, build HOMEOWNER OF NUMBER 67 AUNTIE ABEDA JOSEPH THE LONG ANTICIPATED HOME AND COMMUNITY Interviewee: Auntie Abeda Joseph Interviewers: Goabamang Lethugile & Evan Escamilla

The Joseph family has finally found a She stayed at the backyards of family of owning a house one day, brought her place that they can now call home in Ruo members and friends' houses. At some back to the savings group and with the Emoh, after many years of moving from point she had to rent houses, and squat support from her husband they contin- one neighbourhood to the next the fam- before she could have a house she could ued to save towards their house through ily is now able to live a peaceful relaxed call her own. the savings group from Manenberg. lifestyle. In her own words describing the When asked how she thinks her There is a delight in her face when she period of waiting and the struggle the children are feeling about living in Ruo starts to speak about the plans she has family has faced, Auntie Abeda Joseph Emoh and this house she said, “They for her house and her life. She points out said: “It’s just so a relief with everything. would feel what I feel now. But even one that her struggle has taught her to ap- I’ve been through a lot with the kids all of the eldest in the community said here, preciate the little things in life – to have the years, man. Even though they’re big he said to us, if we had been given houses faith. You can see that she is a woman now and out of the house, they’re not 15 years ago we wouldn’t have appreci- of faith as you enter her house there are really enjoying what was supposed to be ated like we do today. The struggle, what pictures hanging on her wall. The first for them also.” we’ve been through to get here wouldn’t thing they did when they moved into the Auntie Adeba story’s for getting be so much in appreciation. So that’s house, with her husband they tiled the her house has been a trial of moving what I think, I’m so blessed.” house and hung up these pictures. She is from one place to the other filled with Auntie Abeda Joseph is happily mar- happy with the inside of the house, but frustrations of backyarding and rent- ried to Mr. Rafiek Joseph and they have like any family security is important. The ing houses. She was born in Sherwood two children Firdoros and Farouk. Aun- family has started putting up burglars Park as middle child to a family of 7 tie Abeda’s children are now grown up bars on the windows and doors. The next siblings. They stayed with their uncle, and are no longer under her wing, with move is to construct a property fence her mother’s brother. Her childhood life a sad face she said her children will not and a carport. was spent in Sherwood Park up until she enjoy the house as they have now moved “First this year I just wanna enjoy was 10 years. Her mother got a house out. Farouk is staying in Pretoria study- the house and do what must be done in in Manenberg and the family moved to ing and Firdoros is living in Manenberg the house. I was talking to my sister the Manenberg Avenue. Upon the passing with her husband. other day about the kitchen is not big of her mother, her brother was given the Like the other families in the Ruo enough to my flavour.” family’s house because he was married. Emoh, Auntie Abeda, has seen more Finally, the Joseph family has found Auntie Abeda story of moving from one than 15 years passing by waiting to a place that they can now call home in neighbourhood to the next began, when acquire a house. There was a point in her Ruo Emoh, after many years of moving her mother passed away. By then she life when she lost hope and patience and from one neighbourhood to the other, was a single mother and she had to take she left the savings group for a period of the family is now able to live a peace- care and provide shelter for her children. 5 years. Eventually, the determination ful relaxed lifestyle. In her own words

39 describing her adjustment to the new community she said,

“We are good, everyday we greet each other and we know each others names and faces. So if you are going out and you have left your washing out you tell us. It’s perfect here. Like my brother was saying the other time, it is a retirement place. It is peaceful here better than the THE CHURCH CHOIR PERFORMING area I was coming from.” PHOTO BY TERI ROBBERTS

40 ADEEB JOHANNES PROUDLY AT HIS FRONT DOOR AT NUMBER 45. IMPROVEMENTS, SECURITY, COMMUNITY Interviewee: Adeeb Johannes Interviewers: Oliver Manjengwa & Sebastian Steiner

As you enter Adeeb’s house you cannot to Mitchells Plain to Lentegeur at the age the ‘Almighty peace be upon his name’ he help but notice how he has already begun of twelve where his mother had bought says as he continues to share Ruo Emoh to make it a home for himself and his a house. It is there where he stayed in a hopes and vision. As a committee mem- three children, Taaybah, Abdul-Alim backyard wendy house, which had its ber he describes how money is collected and Muazz. He is brimming with ideas, own entrance, when he was older. He weekly from each family to maintain and designing a lounge suit, epoxy flooring, then moved out of his mother’s yard improve the community area. It includes a remodelled ceiling with down lighters, when he got married and stayed in sever- the funding of projects like the park or 3D wallpaper, a gas fireplace for those al other backyard dwellings in Mitchells higher boundary walls, installing burglar cold Cape winters and a kitchen island, Plain, some of the suburbs he moved bars and the maintenance of a night where his family can eat their meals. to were, Crawford in a friends yard and watch. This even though the lights in the Adeeb is not all talk though, he is now later a flat, Surrey estate in another back- street are bright enough to see anyone in working for an upholstery and craft yard, Eastridge where he later separated the dark, which was a good investment company, a field in which he has excelled from his wife and moved back to his he reflects. after attending school until standard 9 mother's Lentegeur home before moving The community is happy about the and later completing a course in frame into his Ruo Emoh house. recently installed grey water-system, building and upholstery. He had spent 15 years on the wait- despite the water having low pressure. What is striking about the whole Ruo ing list for a RDP house until in 2016 Adeeb, like Tariq uses grey water to sup- Emoh community is how each house is a he got in touch with Ruo Emoh for the press the sand on the front porch, so the hive of activity, Adeeb is the epitome of first time and later joined the steering wind does not blow it into the house. He a father determined to succeed, he has committee. There are 39 families from is not planning any structural changes already got to work on the ceiling project Mitchells Plain and 10 families from on the outside of the house for now, he is and it is quiet arguably turning out better Manenberg in Ruo Emoh. happy as it is. If he needs more space he than a contractors work. Many of the can expand to the front or the backyard. residents are constructing or plan to con- “Ruo Emoh is enclosed In the backyard he has an additional 3 struct individual walls between proper- providing security for children metre wide space, as a result of being on ties, with inspectors ensuring these walls a corner house, until it is limited by a are constructed to the correct standard. as they play. Everyone knows boundary wall. Additionally every house There is a true sense of pride in conver- each other, so you can even has an attic for storage, which he plans sations with the residents, particularly leave your door open during to translate into even more space to store Adeeb, as they narrate their histories, the day” materials for his upholstery work. challenges and hopes for the future. When asked for his thoughts on sell- Adeeb is originally from Athlone, Adeeb tells us this as he punctuates each ing his house in the future, he says “just where he lived as a child and later moved thought with his acknowledgement of look at the type of roof tiles that were

42 used. It uplifts the place and the houses look like expensive houses, on a par with the neighbouring Watergate houses in an up market part of Mitchells Plain. I wouldn’t sell.” In his opinion a steering committee is essential. They are leading the way: “Ok we have to do that and that next”. There need to be rules and regulations in the community, otherwise it would not work this well”, he says. Hopefully, in 5 years the boundary wall will be sorted out (increasing the height), there will be letter boxes in the front of the area of Ruo Emoh, numbers on the houses, an elegant Ruo Emoh sign at the entrance and a play area with a jungle gym and sand pit. These are the main aims for the steering committee. It is his view that for any project to be successful it needs a strong steering com- mittee where members can go to, if they have any problems. With such a sense of community, commitment and determi- nation all these years it has truly become Ruo Emoh.

NASIR FOUCHE IN HIS HOME AT RUO EMOH A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES FINALLY COMING TO AN END Interviewee: Nasir Fouche Interviewers: Majaha Dlamini & Janine Eberle

Nasir Fouche was born in 1966 in Elsies for a printing company, then called De Nasir was retrenched from his work at River, Cape Town. He grew up with both Nationale Pers Beperkt, which is part of De Nationale Pers Beperkt. This forced his parents and 6 other siblings. He had 2 today’s group called Media24. Instead him to sell his house before it was repos- brothers and 4 sisters. His parents owned of continuing with his schooling, Nasir sessed. Nasir took the transaction pro- a house in Elsies River. In 1976, Nasir told his dad that he wanted to quit school ceeds into his savings account where he and his family were forcefully removed so he could help him in supporting the kept the money for maintaining his wife from Elsies River to Macassar because of family as his sisters were still young. His and himself. Instead of buying another the Apartheid’s Group Areas Act. He was first job was at Groote Schuur Hospi- house, Nasir’s wife Nadeema suggested only about 10 years when this happened tal, where he earned R200 per month. that they can move into her parents’ and did not really understand what was Nasir felt that this was too little for him place in Lentegeur while they are saving happening and just that he had to move and his family. In 1984, he changed his up to buy another house. At this time, with his parents and siblings. job to work at the same company as his Nadeema’s father had passed away. In Macassar, the family was renting a dad, where he earned R75 per week. Nasir and Nadeema have two chil- dwelling in a backyard and Nasir attend- This made a positive difference by then, dren, a son (22) and a daughter (20). ed school there with his siblings. They he reckons. Talking about challenges of The son has a diploma in business stayed for 3 years in Macassar. When moving to Lentegeur, he said his father management and is currently working Nasir was 13, in 1979, his father bought a was working night shifts and that meant as a dispatch supervisor. The daughter is house for the family in Lentegeur, Mitch- transport was limited late at night. This doing her 2nd year at the Cape Peninsula ells Plain, and the house physical address forced him to walk long distances to the University of Technology, where she is was 84 Dahlia Street. This is where Nasir Nyanga train station to catch a train to training to be a teacher. spent most of his young adulthood and town. Another challenge was that it was Since 2000, Nasir is working as a attended school. The father and his older far from town and far from convenient marine painter at the Waterfront in Cape brother were the only bread winners for shopping centres, he narrates that his Town. This year is his 18th anniversary. the family. His mother was unemployed. mom had to travel long distances to do Nadeema and Nasir got divorced in When Nasir passed grade 11 to progress groceries as compared to when they were 2010 but they are still on good terms and for matric, his older brother got sick with in Elsies River. This was a burden, as she have been co-parenting well in raising a tuberculosis diagnosis, which meant was not in good health. their children. The house in Ruo Emoh is he could no longer work. From this In 1990, Nasir bought a house of his registered on Nadeema’s name and Nasir point on, it was the father’s responsibil- own in Lentegeur. Two years later, Nasir is keeping it for her until she moves in ity to generate an income for the whole got married with his wife (now ex-wife) with her son and daughter. Nadeema is family. At the time his father worked Nadeema, who moved in. The same year, still at her parents' place in Lentegeur,

45 No. 5 Duinebessie Street. As she is cur- However, over the years she would just preventing break-ins before the residents rently unemployed, Nasir supports her keep an ear to what is happening around moved in. and the children wherever he can. Like the project. At this time, Nasir says he In terms of improving the house, Nasir, Nadeema’s family was also force- would just help financially whenever Nasir said he has a few ideas to beautify fully evicted through the Group Areas money or anything was needed. Nadee- the house, but has to get the permission Act. Her family was moved from District ma continued to be part of the project from Nadeema. Six to where they stay today. nonetheless up to getting her house On the lessons learned from this under her name. Nasir said that a lot of project, Nasir said he learnt that perse- Their involvement in the Ruo Emoh the people that started with them at the verance and working together could take project beginning pulled out of the project. He communities forward. He also wishes Nasir tells us that Ruo Emoh started can only think of Nadeema who was in that many other communities could take around 1995 with a few members, many the project from the beginning. a leaf out of Ruo Emoh’s journey. which are no longer part of the project. The name Ruo Emoh has always been When finally receiving the there since day one. The project started house, Nasir said it was a good out as a practical demonstration to the government, that given a piece of land, and proud moment for the they can build their own houses. To family. Everyone was happy. do that the group of backyard dwellers Nasir mentions that his daugh- invaded the council land and built a ter and son are already using house structure within a day. Shortly the Ruo Emoh address before after, this house was demolished by the they even move in. council. The project continued with the group meeting on a regular basis, Nasir Nasir said he loves Ruo Emoh, be- admits that he was not fully commit- cause it is a safe neighbourhood, there ted to the meetings of Ruo Emoh, but is no gang violence. Moreover, he likes Nadeema was the one who attended. At the fact that neighbours get along and the beginning, he said they would make check-up on each other. As much as 50 cents contribution for administration Nasir was not involved in the early stages purposes for the organisation. There was of the project, he believes he stepped in some point where Nadeema was also not at a crucial stage of the project. Nasir was attending the meetings when the project part of the first residents to move into his was taking forever to get concluded and house in Ruo Emoh. He was guarding his it felt like they were not moving forward. family house and the other houses and 46 FAZLIN SAMSODIEN (MIDDLE) ALONG WITH INTERVIEWER SAYAK ROY (RIGHT) & ADEMOLA OMOEGUN (LEFT) THE LOVE OF FAMILY Interviewee: Fazlin Samsodien Interviewers: Sayak Roy & Ademola Omoegun

Fazlin Samsodien is a family oriented 42 is really no rush. It is just something they improve on the house. year old single mother, who lives in Ruo are contemplating, as the safety of their “ … my children were extremely hap- Emoh with her four children, 3 girls and children is a priority for them. py and excited about the house because a boy. Three of her children are in school, Her cousin, who was involved in Ruo when we used live with my parents they the girls are aged 16, 13, and 2 months, Emoh from the start (20 years ago), in- didn’t feel like bringing friends home with the older two in grade 10 and 8 troduced her to the project around 2012, because the house was always full … respectively, whilst the boy is 4 years as she knew Fazlin was looking for a safe but now they can bring their friends old and is in pre-primary school. The place for her children and herself. After … they were very, very excited … My children’s father who does not live with this, she applied for a subsidy through lounge area used to be bigger, but I had them, provides some support for the the committee and after a while she was the wall between it and my children’s children and the two older girls also get contacted and informed that the subsidy room knocked down to make their room child support from the government. But had been approved. Thereafter, she was bigger … I prefer to make their room Fazlin, who was educated up to grade invited to the regular meetings. She has bigger so the children can have more 11 and runs a cake and pastry business had a very pleasant relationship with space in their room … We are allowed to from home, is mainly responsible for her other residents and the committee. And make some modifications to the building children. in December 2017 she became the secre- in order to make it more comfortable for Fazlin was born in Mitchells Plain, tary of the committee as they were look- our personal situations … so I decided Cape Town, where she and her children ing for a secretary and she volunteered to I didn’t need a big lounge area but the lived with her parents and extended help. The chairman, the technical team children need space in their room … In family before they moved to Ruo Emoh. and the whole committee have been the future I would consider building an She describes Mitchells Plain as being very helpful. “If you need anything they upper floor to create even more space … very big and with a number of dangerous always assist and they also work hard to When we moved my family, my sisters … areas unlike Ruo Emoh, which is com- keep the area orderly and safe.” Fazlin all bought me something to decorate the pletely safe. She and her three immediate states. She says there have had differ- house, tiles etc. … I had the support of neighbours have actually been thinking ence of opinions along the way, but they my family … they were very excited …” of making their block even safer for their always came together to negotiate and at From her experience on the proj- children when they go out to play by put- the end they always found a conclusion ect, Fazlin has learnt the importance ting up a fence around their buildings so together. of perseverance, patience and faith in that their young children can play safely Fazlin has made considerable effort achieving a vision as after their wait the in the courtyard. However, they are not to make the house comfortable for her outcome surpassed their expectation. in any hurry, as they have to save up and children and explains that the project has She explains that compared to other get approval from the committee. More- had a major impact on her family. She low cost housing estates, which she had over, Ruo Emoh is safe anyway so there also got support from her own family to visited previously, some of which they

48 visited with their facilitator in the pro- cess of waiting and planning, Ruo Emoh was much better, as some projects have very small bathrooms. She attributes the success of Ruo Emoh to the support of uTshani Fund, the Federation, SDI and other affiliate organisations that helped to make their project better than other low cost housing areas. Ruo Emoh means a lot to Fazlin, even more than words can convey, as she puts it: “… Ruo Emoh is our home written back- wards, it means our home … our lovely homes … I can’t tell you what it means to me because sometimes I still can’t believe it, it’s overwhelm- ing … is it really true … Is it really my home?? I think I must still get used to the fact that it is my house …Everything took time, they said they were going to pull the plug on the project at a point but here we are … t’s hard to believe … that’s what the neighbours also say, are we really in our own homes? … It’s going to take time to realise that it’s our house, our home … You can’t really explain to the next person how you feel …” NAAZEEN SALIE WITH HER DAUGHTER SUMAYA MY DREAMS FOR MY CHILDREN ARE FALLING IN PLACE Interviewee: Naazeen Salie Interviewers: Adesola Adelowo & Abdullahi Ali Hassan

“It was like we never ever born in Walmer Estate in Cape Town, easy. Naazeen and Ahmed included their thought that our house would Naazeen has lived in different neighbour- children in the hard work and sacrifices hoods in Cape Town, including Mitchells to get their home. look like this. Mommy, is this Plain, Vanguard Drive, Grassy Park, "You know we used to come here on really our house? They still Manenberg, and Ottery – where she this ground when it was nothing – couldn't believe it. Mommy, is met her husband at a local school. But nothing but bush. They had to clean the it really? It's too beautiful.” because of unstable housing, Naazeen bush, we used our bare hands to clean attended thirteen schools through grade the bush. You know we use saws and stuff All the sacrifices and hard work were eleven. Her parents divorced when she like that. Then we had to secure it. We worth it for this very moment when was seven years old, which also contri- stood together and we said we need to Naazeen Salie watched her children walk buted to the lack of permanent housing. take care of our ground. Then we made into their new home. “I needed to do this "I've been to hell and I've been back. up security [schedule]. Our [family] shift for [my children]. They say, ‘Mommy we You know what I'm giving my family was every Saturday night from seven need to do a project.’ But they don’t bring now is what I’ve never had. I am so pro- o'clock in the evening until seven o'clock their friend’s home because they knew tective over my kids. God should really Sunday morning. our condition.” Naazeen was determined forgive me if somebody should hurt my That was every Saturday for about to keep going to get her house in Ruo children. I come out of a broken home eight to nine months – if not longer. Emoh because of her desires for the well- from a very young age. It was just me and Now, the land was clean right. The roads being of her children and securing stable my brother. We lived for years with my started to be laid. The electricity people housing for her family. father and he was a good father; he’s still came and it was dark, and it was winter. But, what experiences shape a a good father. He did what he could do It was cold there was nothing here, it was mother's determination and drive? How but there are just things that a father can’t dark. You had to stand here and take care does a family arrive at such a moment? do that a mother does." of your place, not just the section I'm And, what decisions and sacrifices did The challenging relationship with living in, the complete section we had to they make to triumph over moving from her mother, loving relationship with her take care of (and secure). backyard to backyard or house to house? father, and being moved around with her I used to bring my children with me Naazeen and Ahmed Salie have been brother as her constant support nurtured every Saturday evening. I would bring married for sixteen years. They have two her commitment to someday have her them even if it rain. It wasn't raining all children, including fourteen years old, own family, and to love them with all her the time but…it was winter as well. They Mohamed, and eleven years old, Suma- heart – which meant giving them safety would ride the bike around the circle and ya. They also have a third child Nuuh, and making sacrifices to have a better I would tell them this is where our home a three old now who is the daughter of life. is gonna be. That brought so much joy to Naazeen’s brother. Although she was Getting a house in Ruo Emoh wasn’t the children to think well here is a land

51 so surely somehow or the other we're all “I'm looking forward for my gonna be here someday. children. I know they're gon- We had to sleep in a vehicle or if there was no vehicle we used to make us a na grow out to be very good bonfire. You couldn't sleep because you young men and young women need to take care of the place. Because because that is what I implant anybody could come and invade [the on them every day. Life is what land]. We wouldn't want anybody to you're gonna make out of it. My come on this ground and just put their expectations are very high for things on the place down. But now somebody else come and they take it them and always pray and ask away from you. So, we had to fight hard God to help me. My dream is for that not to happen. Because there in five years I want to [build] were many people who were ready that up for the sake of my children. came and there were rumours going In five years’ time my son can around that the electricity cables were in come to me and tell me mom- the ground. If somebody steals it, who’s going to do it again? The government is my I want to get married, what not going to do it again so we had to take am I gonna do then? Where care of what was ours." will they live? Those are all Even though the Salie’s were going to things playing in my mind. get a house in Ruo Emoh, the entire fam- ily participated in cleaning and securing "We…sit in our family time and we… land. Like many families, they also gave- speak and we…laugh and we…gag about up favourite foods and activities to make stuff. It was like we never ever thought financial contributions towards expenses that our house would look like this. like the community fence. [They still ask] mommy, ‘Is this really our Now that they have a house, what house?’ They still can't believe it… God does the move to Ruo Emoh mean to the willing my expectations for them are Salie family? very high”.

52 THE SASMAN FAMILY IT’S A SAFE ENVIRONMENT Interviewee: Nabeal Sasman Interviewers: Florence Seigenthaler & Rosca Warries

“Sorry for the mess, we have just had with his wife “ever since”, he says. Ever engagement from everyone involved. breakfast”, says Nabeal as we enter a per- since, that is since they were teenagers. This meant learning to communicate and fectly tidy, newly arranged living room. He then moved to Lentegeur, Mitchells deal with disagreements as well as with We have a seat on the couch as Plain, where she stayed. But Lentegeur structures and administrative processes. Nabeal’s kids curiously poke their heads was a constant distress, especially since However, through all the meetings and through the door. It’s a calm and sunny the couple got kids. disagreements, Nabeal recalls, in the first Saturday morning, perfect for them to “People got shot in front of our home, few weeks after moving in, the whole play outside. Nabeal speaks with a silent, at best, things were quiet for a month or community would stay outside until late humble voice while, in the background two and then it literally rained gang wars. at night and just sit, eat and chat with the TV shows a Nigerian series. His wife The kids get traumatised. Every time each other. and her mother have been part of the something goes off, like the car backfires, “There were challenges all the time. Ruo Emoh community for over ten years, my son will ask was that a gun shot?" But, as a whole, people got along. I know and that is how he got to know it as well. Moving into Ruo Emoh, then, also there was a lot of exchange of words like “We waited very long, but this project meant gaining peace of mind. A reward disagreements based on certain promises gave us some form of hope, that we can for the stony path they have crossed that transpired that didn’t happen for move out of a particular area, especial- to get here. But also, it required com- people. But, nothing can be completed ly for the kids. Underprivileged areas mitment and perseverance. Attending on negativity so then something was increase the amount of violence. That is regular meetings, becoming part of the done right to make this possible. There where we’re from. It’s like two different neighbourhood watch, while working can’t be disagreements all the time.” worlds, even though we haven’t moved full-time at a call-centre. Before, the whole family had to stay that far. You can see, kids come out after “We had to juggle a lot of things and in one small room, the Ruo Emoh house lunch, start playing, it’s a safe environ- give up a lot of hobbies in between. Ev- allows for a little more privacy and space. ment.” erybody put in a lot of energy and effort”. Two rooms add onto the living room and Nabeal’s two-year-old daughter comes Many sacrifices were to be made in Nabeal plans to expand the house little in with a bunch of flowers. He chuckles the process of waiting and saving money by little in the coming years. as she leaves again with her older sister, for the prospect of a better future in “It’s not that our living condition to pursue her self-ascribed task at the getting a home. However, what they got before was only bad, it kept the family small patch of yellow flowers in the in return was not just their own little together. But it’s just better now, ev- sandy front-yard of the house. house, but also, a place in a close-knit, erything. We’ve been assisted with the Nabeal’s wife is not feeling very well supportive community. Both of them, grey-water system, there’s infrastructure on the day of our interview. Their new- the community and Nabeal’s family, still, installed. That are things we didn’t have born had kept her up all night. Nabeal, are in constant development. Being a where we come from. I want to add originally from Grassy Park, has been community requires an effort and active another room to the property, but we are

54 restricted. So possibly, we going to try is that they can play outside. They are not watch. It is difficult to get to the destina- and extend hopefully in the near future worried about anything. My children are tion of receiving a home but to make it so that we can add another room because traumatised because of the gang violence, a safe and comfortable one takes time as with so many kids you need extra space. they also don’t want to see fighting be- well and Nabeal has the heart and pas- I have to be realistic and see what I can cause they know it will lead to gang wars. sion to see that through in Ruo Emoh. achieve.” One night we were all up, I will never Not only is Nabeal planning to forget that evening. I called the cops His hope for the future is that renovate and add another room for once, because we could see something as the community grows in his children to sleep in but he ialso is happening. Right in front of our home considering creating a bigger kitchen for and the man got shot and they were still strength that they will always his wife to feel comfortable cooking for awake. You know, when we grew up I come together to make it the family. His decision making process never experienced anything like that so beautiful and safe for his of renovating reflects an inspirational they grow up within that, what if they family and other families in aspect of his heart in providing and become accustomed to that? Does that Ruo Emoh. creating a safe and comfortable life for mess with their life? And, those were the his family. Nabeal, jokingly, told us that kind of things they went through every through the whole process of minor ren- single day of their lives. Lots of questions ovations of painting the walls and tiling go through my mind. But since we have the floors he allowed his children to help been here, you can see they have changed him, so that family memories could be and they are more at ease. Those things made. His children experienced so many affected the kids. But, living here, now, traumatic moments of gang violence that we make them play outside.” to be able to create a space of harmony For Nabeal his future looks safe and through tiling floors or painting walls, comfortable. He knows it takes a lot to together they can create a better and get somewhere in life. He knows he has safer home environment. to make sacrifices and save constantly “That first week that we moved in. We to provide for his family. But, living in had to do many things like tile the floors the Ruo Emoh community he can do because there wasn’t tiles on the floor. these things in a secure and close-knit So they would come along and help me community where his children have the paint the walls. For fun they would paint. freedom to pick flowers and play in the So everything that still needs to be done streets. Where he has the freedom to we try and do it together. So it’s all a fun speak with other men in the community experience for them. And the good thing and become part of the neighbourhood

55 ESA EDEERIEA AND HER DAUGTHER NORA FREEDOM FROM SHARING – A HOUSE WITH PRIVATE ROOMS AT LAST! Interviewee: Esa Edeeriea Interviewers: Basil Studer & Geetika Anand

Esa Edeeriea, her husband, and their in-law’s house (also in Mitchells Plain) ipating in the meetings. She would save two daughters moved into their house where they had a private room, and a R100 a month, but sometimes she would in Ruo Emoh on 27 January 2018. This shared kitchen and bathroom. Their first have no savings. In the end, she had a was a really important day for this family. daughter was also born in that house. shortfall of about R4 000 that she paid The two-bedroom house gave the family Since the house was small and they were last year. the much-needed privacy as they have a sharing it with parents and the family of Having lived in shared and small separate bedroom for children now. her husband’s brother, they decided to houses all her life, Esa really appreciates Esa still spends almost 4-5 hours move out. her current house here in Ruo Emoh. She daily in commuting. She works as a They rented a wendy (backyard is most happy about the fact that there cleaning lady in a pharmacy at Sea Point. house) from a friend, very close to the are two bedrooms – one for her (and Her husband is a painter, but has been mother-in-law’s house. The rent was her husband) and one for children. She unemployed for more than four years R500 and accessing water was another also has her own kitchen and bathroom now. Both the daughters are in school, R350. Spread over an area of 18 sq m, now. Esa has partially carpeted the raw the younger one in grade 4 and older one there were two rooms – one was convert- flooring that came with the house, and in grade 10. The older daughter, Nora, ed into a kitchen and the other was used her first priority is to finish that as soon wants to be a lawyer. Esa herself has gone for sleeping by the couple and two chil- as possible. Using tiles, the family has to school until seventh grade. The family dren. There were no water and sanitation also paved the passage to the entry of the relies on Esa’s salary and child support services inside that house. For almost house. The plan is now to tile the floors grants received from the government. 18 years, the family lived in that wendy inside, get cupboards for the bedrooms, Esa had lived in three neighbour- house, before they moved into this new and put a shower in the bathroom. Esa hoods and five houses in Cape Town house in Ruo Emoh. loves gardening and wants to develop before she moved into her own house Five year ago, one of Esa’s friends the frontyard into a garden. Since the in Ruo Emoh in Colorado Park. Born asked her if she wanted her name on the backyard is not too big, she would rather in Wynberg, Esa grew up with her six list of thebRuo Emoh project. Since she use that for washing purposes. siblings and parents. The family moved wanted her own house, she said yes, and Esa’s association with the Ruo Emoh to Grassy Park from Wynberg. They then that marked her beginning in the project community has been a good one. She shifted to Mitchells Plain when Esa was and a process at the end of which she knows everyone in the community and 18, and she lived in that house until she owns a house. Esa had her initial doubts does not miss anyone from her last got married, at the age of 35 (in 1998). about whether the houses would really neighbourhood. Since the meetings have For the first two years of her marriage, see light of the day but on her friend’s been going on for so many years, every- she and her husband lived in her mother- assurance, she started saving and partic- one has developed a good relationship

57 with each other. Esa likes the quietness of the neigh- bourhood; her older daughter, Nora, on the other hand, feels it’s too quiet here. She also misses her friends from Mitch- ells Plain. She needs to take a taxi to school now, while she could walk from the earlier house. However, she likes the fact that they have their own space now, and the sisters don’t have to share the bedroom with their parents anymore.

58 ISMAAEEL & MYMOENA JACOBS EVERYTHING FELL IN PLACE Interviewee: Ismaaeel & Mymoena Jacobs Interviewers: Kaylin Harrison, Lea Nienhoff, Israel Ogundare

Recently married Mymoena and Is- couple”. the running guy for her; whenever they maaeel Jacobs are expecting their first Mymoena was born in Johannes- were meeting and other things, I would child together this year – a baby girl. burg and lived there for most of her life. go. Sometimes, I was working, but then Having the home in Ruo Emoh therefore Ismaaeel is from Cape Town and grew you hear at 3 o’ clock is a meeting and came at the time it meant a lot to the up in Lentegeur, where his family still you have to be there, we had no choice, Jacobs Family. For Mymoena it is simply resides. The place is what the Jacobs has we just had to move. When I came a case of “Everything fell in place”. For constructed and made home for them- back home from the meetings I told Ismaaeel, as the first son to get married selves. With Ismaaeel’s expertise lying my mother what was happening, what he felt he needed this space; a place of in that of renovating, tiling and so forth. the next steps are, and I also picked up his own and it so happened that through He took the structure and renovated it who is trying to run the show. We had all the uncertainty and ups and downs of into a beautiful home. The beneficiary so many challenges and everyone of the Ruo Emoh project, the place became of the house in Ruo Emoh is Ismaaeel’s us had their ticks. But nothing major. available to the growing Jacobs family mother, Jasmine Jacobs. This home plays I remember when I went to the first tree. a significant role in not only the Jacobs meeting for my mother. Some of the currently residing there, but also for other members were from around the Ismaaeel: “Never mind how any other Jacobs family member. In the area and I had known them by face, but small the place is, we got our future, the house may be a home to the not on a personal level. But after going children and the children’s children for to the meetings more and more, I was own space, it’s a home, we can generations to come. This is the story of befriending people. Obviously, we were make a home out of this, so, the struggle and the steps taken to finally going to live together soon. At the time that for me is more important get the house, in the words of Ismaaeel we were hoping to be neighbours soon, than living in a mansion, or like Jacobs. but eventually it just went on for a little not appreciating what we have while. In the recent years there were no h e re .” It was almost like a movie fundraisers or these things any more, but "It is 20 years ago, when the project start- when we met we were discussing how The Jacobs know the burden and ed, and my mother was there right from things progressed and how we could expense which renting someone else’s the beginning. She was on the board for secure our property, since it was already property entails having previously rented housing. I was a little boy, when all of our land. The challenge was to handle the in Rylands. They also know what it this started. Every rand they had toget- delays. Sometimes we needed to put in means to share a house with many family her made a difference at the time. They large sums of money and the committee members. In Ruo Emoh they have a were raising money with little food fairs. would promise certain things on certain space of their own and Mymoena says: My mother was preparing cakes and days, but it just wouldn’t be possible. The “It’s a nice stepping stone for any new boerewors rolls to sell. Later, I became issues would linger for a few days, but

60 the committee would sort them out in forward to having the house. To both of the end. I respect them a lot for that." them it was an aspiration and now it has become another home, and at the same We stood security ourselves time a financial security. "We had to put up a fence around the Looking towards the future, Ismaaeel land. But it didn’t take long until parts of hopes to build up the security for the the fence were stolen. We had to take it community and can imagine a complex off again. I played a part in that as well. typology. Mymoena has a plan in mind We came in on a Saturday and we just that when the baby arrives and things took it off. At some point it was just the have settled, she will try to petition for two of us, myself and Archie. Then the better measures to reduce speed, for infrastructure came in and we knew we example getting a speed limit. have to start to stand security ourselves. When asked about lessons learned in We came after work, on the weekends, the process the Jacobs respond: to stand security at our grounds – day and night. I think this was when people "I think to stand more together got a more positive mind-set towards the as a community. Don’t, because project again. In the beginning this was an issue, but over time we had the feeling you are disappointed by one of 'this is our ground', we claimed it. If person, not help the commu- we want to stand security we will stand nity. That whatever challenges security because we own this now. Once you get, let’s face it together. people heard, once they got the go-ahead Don’t leave it to one." that things are happening now, things are going to happen, people had enough of the empty promises. Once things started…I can tell you people were really positive towards everything." The hope and aspiration that comes with owning a house, especially after a long period of waiting is unquantifi- able. This house has a great significance for Ismaaeel’s whole family. Ismaaeel expresses, how he and his brother looked

61 TARIQ SILJEUR WITH WIFE ZAIDA AND DAUGTHER LESLEY HISTORY OF ACTIVISM Interviewee: Tariq Siljeur Interviewers: Oliver Manjengwa & Sebastian Steiner

Like all the stories in this booklet Tariq’s in Vryground. got burnt. Tracy had plastic surgery until story is captivating, extraordinary and Vrygrond was a shanty town in the the age of 16. inspiring. It is full of challenges and sus- early 90’s, the original landowner was After the fire all of the family mem- pense, it makes you want to love, cry or very wealthy. When he died he left his bers warned Trevor not to go back. But both, it makes you want to meet this per- land in his will go to the people who he wouldn’t listen. He set up a shack a son and discover more about him and his were are living on the land, but the second time. His work continued and family. Many would be surprised by what apartheid government stole the land. To they burned the shack down again. Tracy Tariq says when asked what it was like to contest this, his uncle moved out of the and he both got out this time. Again, wait 20 years to get a house. His response brick home (with electricity and run- he set up a shack for the third time. The was: “It could have been worse, It was not ning water) to set up a shack amongst buildingproject continued and in the that long.” He knows a lot of people who these people. Trevor was a community night on the date when he handed over are on waiting lists a great deal longer leader there. For 10 years he fought to get the first set of keys to the people to move than that. He and his wife, Zaida, are just back the stolen land from the apartheid out of shacks into the new houses, that happy that they have a house now. This government. But when he got the land night he got shot and killed in front of house is all they have ever dreamed off. back he was not content with just having Tracy. Tracy is the mother of Tariq’s Zaida, his 5 year old adopted daughter the land, but he also wanted people to adopted daughter. It is an immensely in- and himself are living in this new house. live in decent housing. He started the tense story. (If you have the time to read Their other children have over the years Vrygrond Trust. The trust got 27 million the story it can be found on the Internet. moved away in their pursuit for decent rand from the government for a project There are tremendous struggles and chal- housing. Ruo Emoh and the whole with 1600 houses planned. In Vrygrond lenges in securing housing. organisation behind it gives him hope the dissident group was controlled by Tariq's surname is a very political that it could become a model for other three officials of the SA National Civics ANC surname. Not only because of housing projects. That it will be better in Organisation (SANCO). They were also Trevor, but also because of Tariq`s father the future and that his children may not founders of the Trust but that was not who used to be part of the ANC. What have that struggle anymore. Tariq told us enough for them. They wanted to have saddens Tariq is how his family was some of these struggles, most poignantly total control over the project. Trevor said moved from Claremont to Steenberg his family story. This is a story of activ- no to that and said that they are welcome during apartheid and how the white ism and crucial housing problems, em- to come on board but that he is not giv- people who moved into those houses in bodied by his personal story, his father’s ing them the project. They didn’t want to Claremont would say what the apartheid and his uncle, Trevor`s. It is important come on board. A first attempt on his life government was doing was wrong but that Tariq’s uncle, Trevor’s, housing story was made. His shack was set on fire with they still accepted the dispossesion of and struggle is shared as it has moulded him and his 5 year old daughter Tracy people from their houses. Tariq narrates, his passion for a decent and respectable inside. Whilst, his uncle managed to get quite bluntly, that if you did not want to society. Here is his uncle's, which starts out unharmed, one side of Tracy’s body move willingly you were forced, thrown

63 out of your homes. The apartheid system disturb people living in the house. something with. In Tariq’s and Zaida’s made people become political: “they opinion Ruo Emoh will look more de- forced people to stand up against them”. Tariq emphasised how you veloped in 5 years or 10 years. They have With that history of activism, Tariq have to give people their space, projects in mind like a paved front porch, found himself also in housing struggles. a carport and a stunning garden. It is just He grew up in Cape Town and moved to and he is quite happy that in a matter of money and commitment that Johannesburg for economic reasons and Ruo Emoh people have their determines how many changes can be to work there as a chef. When the hotels space, though it is not much, it made. They are going to make changes were outsourcing staff, he came back is secure. whenever they have spare money. The to Cape Town to Steenberg originally. people in Ruo Emoh are allowed to sell His wife was still living in Manenberg The building contractor has ‘stolen’ the houses after 8 years, but Tariq and his with her parents until they could put up some of the land. He was uncomfortable wife do not have any intention of selling. a wendy house in the yard. This is the with the word stolen but used it for lack Tariq sees that the future will be brighter. cheapest and most affordable way to get a of a better word. The issue was that when And that it will be an even better place ‘house’ for many families. the wall was constructed. The contractor over the years. In his words: Tariq told us how unsustainable small did not use the designated pegs and went houses are. Overcrowding becomes a real a meter into the property on both ends “I think in the future this issue, families don’t remain static, things of the wall, and this is noticeable as his is happen, a family which moves into a a corner house. The peg that was meant place will be amazing as long house may initially think it is just them, to be used is still visible as one looks as the community is working relatives move in, parents pass away and over the wall and he hopes that this will together.” their children also move in so the struc- be corrected. As an eternal optimist, he ture of the household is always changing. cheerfully said that there is still space Commitment is very important for The backyard structure got sold when and that Zaida, his wife, can still have the project to work as he said. Not just they moved to Ruo Emoh. Some back- her ‘little garden’ despite the issue with in the past but also in the future of Ruo yards get loans that they have to pay off the boundary wall. Gardening is really Emoh. In his own point of view, Ruo on a weekly basis after having provided important to her as she was raised on a Emoh could become a model for on- a wage slip or three month bank state- wine farm. They plan to come up with going projects or projects in the future as ment to show they can pay off the wendy innovative ways to maximise the space one compare this housing to the others house. It cost him and his wife a fortune they have in their yard, by hanging 2-litre they don't come close. This has to be the for their wendy house where they stayed plastic bottles with basil, thyme and best. before. Sometimes living in a backyard rosemary along the wall. Tariq says he was really embarrassing. For example if strongly believes that people should have you had to go to the toilet, one would their little piece of land that they can do

64 AUNTIE ZAINAP WHISGARY IN HER KITCHEN. MY HOUSE, MY COMMUNITY, MY LIFE Interviewee: Auntie Zainap Whisgary Interviewers: Evan Escamilla & Goabamang Lethugile

Upon entering Ruo Emoh, one house is paragraphs will be a sketch of her life’s Zainap, newly wed, left her grandparent’s bound to catch a stranger’s eye as being movements from birth until the present. house in Crawford and relocated to her unlike the rest. There is constant move- After Salt River, the first housing husband’s family home in Manenberg. ment around Auntie Zainap’s property memory young Zainap has is of 62 Corn- Manenberg was where she gave birth to and it seems that every time you glance flower St, Bridgetown. The developmen- the first of her 6 beautiful children, and away and look back a window has shifted tal years of her life were spent here taking the other 5 followed shortly thereafter position or a door has disappeared and care of her working father and younger in quick succession. She gave birth to reappeared somewhere else – not to siblings. She has very little contact with the children in the span of a decade and mention the mass alterations happening her mother, who is still alive but chose to ended up moving around with them on the inside of the house. Auntie Zainap remove herself from the family and pur- more times than she cares to count. has waited twenty years for this day and sue other interests, so, at the age of 13, it From Manenberg, her growing family has wasted no time in testing her archi- was necessary for her to stop attending moved to Bridgetown, the home of her tectural capabilities. (It turns out she has classes to tend to the domestic affairs of brother-in-law. This stop lasted about quite an eye for it!) her father’s household. This independent 5 years before Auntie and her children For twenty years the original appli- 13 year old girl was responsible for tak- went back to her grandparent’s home in cants and buyers of the private plot of ing a 10 rand note to the shops to buy the Crawford. Finally, she once again left her land, now known as Ruo Emoh, fought week's groceries and 2 rand to the offices grandparent’s house and moved into a and waited and fought again to realize to pay the Bridgetown rent. In her own slightly larger place in Mitchells Plain, a their plans of building and moving into words, “This is why I say my childhood new home owned by her father. The next their own homes in Weltevreden Valley. was stolen from me, because I had to be a 36 years of Auntie’s life would be spent in Auntie Zainap, one of the original appli- mom at 13. I was like a big girl, man”. She and around Rocklands, Mitchells Plain. cants, was drawn into the project by one remained at home caring for children Despite choosing, and sometimes of her daughters, who later pulled out not much younger than herself, to ensure having, to relocate her family various and took a house with a small mortgage that the household ran smoothly and times in their childhood and young adult in Mitchells Plain. Although the story that her siblings and father always had a life, her children were provided for and of Ruo Emoh began circa twenty years warm meal and a lighted kitchen to come have gone on to fight their own housing ago, this story actually commenced home to. struggles, often being victorious in their more than sixty years ago, when Zainap Although young Zainap’s respon- endeavours to secure long-term ten- Whisgary was first taken into her father’s sibilities cropped up distinctly earlier ure. Her eldest, Abdul-Majiet has since house in Salt River. Interestingly, ‘life’ can than marriage age, many of her starkest passed but her second child, Adenaan, is sometimes be thought to start with mar- housing memories stem from the time the chairman of the Ruo Emoh Commit- riage and children because this is often after she was married, when she was tee and has his new house just down the when independent life begins for women focused on giving the best possible life street from his mother. Shawaal, Rezaah, like Auntie Zainap. But the following to her babies. At the age of 16 Auntie Fatgeiah and Sumaya are her younger 66 children who are spread through the that she could finally emancipate herself. kitchen will soon have real counter space area but not so far out of reach that She is now receiving a pension and with and plenty of room for her to do all of they cannot call on their mother to her savings she is making her dream her mixing and baking. Currently, she watch their little ones, and in doing so house. has tiled over the side door, added a win- indoctrinate a bit of her fighters spirit Each Ruo Emoh house started as an dow and actually had the original doors into each of them. In fact, the daughters open kitchen and living room with a and windows replaced with different currently living in Rocklands, expressed toilet and two back bedrooms. There was models. She is an industrious entrepre- some disappointment that Ruo Emoh a front door facing the street and a side neur who bakes all manner of sweets to has finally been realized and their mum door off of the kitchen. Auntie Zain- satisfy any possible craving. Her baking will be moving out. (Luckily, she has not ap has already expanded her kitchen, is her art and her kitchen will soon be yet moved out because of the extensive causing her to also push back her toilet her very own sanctuary. renovations taking place on her house, and turn the two small back rooms into Auntie Zainap was able to begin all we will come back to this.) Auntie one back room with a sliding glass door. of these renovations now because she Zainap said, When the Ruo Emoh project first began has been diligent with her saving and it was not only grandbabies that she was has also managed to search out the best “For me, 20 years I didn’t have watching, some of her children were still deals, haggle down prices and generally the luxury of living with my with her. Between the Ruo Emoh project push on with all of her creative designs. initiation and its completion her depen- One huge project that is not yet under- daughters, we were living there dents have grown and been replaced by way is that of her ‘outdoor entertainment and that one there. So to wait newer and fewer dependents, allowing area’ where she will be able to shade for this house was very import- her to freely turn her two bedroom into herself from the beating sun and Cape ant to me at the time. So, after a one bedroom with no worries for the wind to entertain friends for braais and my daughters got married and future. She assured us that in time a tea. The woman is a visionary who is all the children got married I second level can be built onto the house, determined to have her house in pristine although there is no rush to do this at condition in record time so that she can lived with them but it was still the moment. She now has one dependent finally take up permanent residence important to have my OWN grandson in Varsity who stays with her in her last ever home, Ruo Emoh. Our h ou s e .” occasionally but it is likely that he will Home. not yet start his own family so for now Auntie was not prepared to be forever she is free to pursue her dreams – reliant on her family or on her family’s designing the perfect kitchen for baking spouses. She had been patiently waiting and fully enjoying her newfound life as a and simultaneously fighting tooth and pensioner/homeowner. nail to get this project moving again so Speaking of the kitchen, Auntie’s

67 WASIELA BRANDT THIS IS A PLACE WHERE MY CHILDREN CAN GROW: THE BRANDT FAMILY Interviewee: Wasiela Brandt Interviewers: Joseph Ngben & James Clacherty

Wasiela Brandt was born in Claremont and two of her older brothers were living man! Is this thing really going to happen in 1974. She is the youngest of eight sib- in the house with their families. Wasiela’s or what?’ Are these people taking us for a lings all born in Claremont. In 1978 her nephew moved in with his family shortly fool or something like that?” Randal also family was forced to relocated because after their mother passed away bringing had his doubts: “My wife mostly went of the Group Areas Act and at the age of the number of people living in the house to the meetings. I didn’t go because if it three Wasiela moved to Woodlands in up to 18. “Yoh! it was difficult living with feels like I'm wasting my time then I get Mitchells Plain. Wasiela started school at all those people. If you want to go to the frustrated. Over the years a lot of people Woodville Primary, which was opened toilet, everyone is in the toilet. And the got frustrated and thought they were the same year she arrived in Woodlands electricity, you must buy electricity and wasting their time.” Randal had con- and was only the second primary school ooh, we skell about who must buy elec- sidered buying the two bedroom flat in to be opened in Mitchells Plain. Her four tricity now and stuff like that.” Woodlands that he had grown up in but youngest children still go to school at While still living in Woodlands Wasi- he and Wasiela decided to move to Ruo Woodville Primary. Wasiela would go ela was working at a handbag manufac- Emoh instead when they realised that the on to do her matric at Woodlands high, turing company in Woodstock called project was actually going to happen. the same high school that her husband Cape Cobra. It was here that she found Randal Brandt went to. In Woodlands, out about Ruo Emoh. One of her col- “Even though we had to wait Wasiela’s whole family lived together in a leagues, Moerida Bernard, had been part a long time for the house it was three bedroom council house in a block of the housing scheme from the begin- of flats surrounding a courtyard. Soon af- ning in 1997 and she convinced Wasiela worth the wait” says Wasiela. ter they moved her older siblings started to join her. “You know the other people “Really it was worth waiting for. When getting married and moving out of the that is working with us are saying ‘Ja, but we had the meeting last year and they family home to start households of their Moerida is waiting so long already, who said that you people are moving into own. Randal was born in Steenberg and says its going to happen and you want your houses in December. And then they also moved to Mitchells Plain when he to go join them?” Wasiela wasn’t sure at called us in again and said you people was very young. His family moved into first but after some convincing she went are mos getting your keys. And we were a house on the same court as Wasiela to her first meeting in 2003. “The things like 'Oh my god!' That is like heaven, it is where he stayed for forty years. This is that people said at the meetings actually really like heaven when we could come where the two met. motivated you” she says “So I paid the and fetch our keys and when we could Wasiela’s mother managed to buy the R750 membership fee and I joined." At move in. We moved in as soon as we house that her family was living in from the beginning the meetings were not could.” It wasn’t an easy process to get the government and so when she passed always that regular. “There would be this point. Even when building on the away a few years ago the title for the some meetings but then it's quiet a bit houses had started many people thought house was transferred to a trust held by and there's no more meetings, you don't it would still take some time before they all of the children. At this stage Wasiela hear nothing. And then you think ‘Ag 69 could move in: “Actually when they start- On one occasion, just after construction also plays for a football club and is very ed building in October, Yoh! we thought on the houses had started, a group of involved with the running of the club. are these people really going to finish by men from Samora - a neighbourhood “There are teams all over Mitchells Plain December? That's quick! We thought no nearby, came to the site and threatened but I still have to go back that side often”. man it will maybe be later this year.” In to attack the builders if the contract for Even though they are still getting used to addition to the uncertainty about how the building wasn’t transferred to them. the new surroundings, Wasiela says that long the process would take the commu- The committee had to mobilise the they are very happy in Ruo Emoh and nity also struggled to understand and members of the scheme and get them she is particularly pleased that it is much meet all the requirements of the city. “We to come and protect the site and the safer for her children here. “You see my were only a small group on our own, that builders. “It was raining that day and we son, the ten-year-old, it is much better is why. We never had help you know. had to come out, we had to stand ground here. The gangsterism, and drugs and all We tried to create things for ourselves” because this is our project. You can’t just that is gone. The children, they look at Wasiela explains. come and think you can take over here. that person with the pair of Jordans, that In June 2010 People’s Environmental So there was a whole skelling outside one has a pair of Adidas. They ask ‘where Planning (PEP), an NGO that offers the gate here. And then this guy who did you get them?' 'Nah that gangster, technical support for communities was working with the project had to call drug lord, he gave it. You must just do engaged in housing struggles, started the police. There were already builders something for him and you can also wear working with the Ruo Emoh community. here so these other people can't just take a pair of that. And the children they go This, Wasiela explains, really helped to bread out of other people's mouths. Then in for it. Because you can't afford it. I am get things going: “And you know when we just stood ground and said ‘no you glad that my children aren't now into PEP joined, the project actually started. are not gonna come here’.” that. I want this area, this community, it's When they joined everything started Because both Wasiela and Randal had quite safe for my children.” happening.” Four years later new mem- grown up in Woodlands they both said Another thing they have had to adjust bers were also elected onto the commit- that moving away was a bit strange and to is living in the quiet area of Colorado tee and this helped to bring some energy that it would take time to adjust to the Park after the noise of Woodlands: to the process. “The new people that new surroundings. Many of their friends joined pushed where our old committee still lived in Woodlands and they had to "Here it's very quiet. It's like we were lackadaisical. The new people said travel to visit them. “There you could just 'No! We don't want to have this and that walk out the door and just greet some- are adapting to this. You know and that. We want this! And we want one. So often I still go there, I go quite there was gunshots and you that!' They were pushing.” Wasiela ex- often” says Randal. “Our friends at the hear the police sirens any time plains that it was the committee that was old place will make jokes now and say and stuff like that. It's too quiet doing most of the work. The members 'ooh you guys are posh now?' since we here. It is a bit strange. But we of the scheme helped where they could. have moved to Colorado Park”. Randal are getting used to it." 70 The house they are living in now is also smaller than the one they were shar- ing in Woodlands. “The house we had there had bigger ground and it was a three-bedroom house, it was actually quite big. But now I'm in my own house so I don't care.” The family are already making plans to expand the house. Wasiela and Randal have been discussing the possibility of adding an extra storey onto their house to make more rooms for the children. Before they do this, WASIELA BRANDT IN FRONT however, there are a few smaller things OF HER HOUSE that they need to do. Randal has already made a kitchen counter and kitchen unit but he plans to make a better one out of hardwood when he has the time. He also plans to put oak flooring into his and Wasiela’s bedroom. “It'll take time but we've got plans. It's nice to have your own house and you can work towards it” says Randal.

MELANIE AND TERENCE JOHNSON IN THEIR GARDEN. 88 ‘HOUSES, DIGNITY, NEW LIFE!’ Interviewee: Melanie Johnson Interviewer: Sophie Oldfield

The first sight of Melanie’s and Terence’s the houses have been built, dignity can because I didn’t take up a career home is the garden. Even though they be restored and people can live.’ because I chose to work with have only recently moved into their Melanie’s own background inspired home, the garden is already beautiful. her housing activism. She honed her poor people. They couldn’t un- Stone paved steps lead to the front door, activism skills in the hard knocks and derstand it but today they have with carefully placed pot plants accen- streets of township life. She grew up the upmost respect for what I tuating the path. A splash of colour in in Rylands with her father and grand- do. They understand today. The a blooming flower, growing chilly and mother, moving to Manenberg to live choice that I made was to work pepper plants, Terence explains that this with her mother and sister after her and make change. I believe is their first garden ever and ‘the garden granny’s passing. In Manenberg, living gives life, it’s all about our new family. It’s in her mother’s house, she and her in adding value and making about building a home.’ ex-husband raised her five children. change." The move to Ruo Emoh is a new On the housing list in Manenberg for start for this couple, two years into their 21 years, she emphasizes that moving to Her work demands wisdom, savvy, married life. This home is a foundation and then living as an adult in Manenberg creativity, and most of all, hard work and on which they plan to build their family, shaped her commitment to become a commitment. Its demands are unrelent- a place in which they can secure and community leader. ing. She explains that strength is the ca- nurture their children. Two of Melanie’s pacity to change oneself, and the capacity to help others see a better future, to help three sons and her two daughters live "[I became] a communi- them work together. with them and Terrence’s five children ty leader because of the two come to visit in the holidays. Like the This is a huge achievement. Life has new garden, their family is the heart different types of cultures and been hard for her and for everybody else of this home. They hope to live here in homes I come from. It helped in Ruo Emoh. She explains: peace, leaving past insecurities and hard- me see that there is a bigger "I’ve been there. It’s very difficult … ships behind them. need. [Activism] really is my You get evicted any day. Your water gets The success of Ruo Emoh is not only passion. I studied for many switched off. You can’t even use the toilet if the landlord doesn’t want you to use personal for Melanie. It is a collective things, but I chose none of achievement, a product of her work as it. Your children sometimes can’t even the project’s social facilitator, part of them. I chose to do community make a noise…" her job with the South African Shack work. I still enjoy it. I volun- These experiences shaped her per- Dwellers International Alliance. In this teered for many years without sistence and her commitment to seeing role, Melanie expresses best what moving getting paid a cent. I became the Ruo Emoh project to its finish. to Ruo Emoh means for everybody. ‘Now the black sheep in my family She knows first hand the difference a secure home brings, ‘this sigh of relief.

73 Of saying ok, you know you are in your She has helped manage and build a explains how crucial this was: ‘You can’t own space. It’s yours. Nobody is going to legitimate list of beneficiaries. This piece fight if you have nobody behind you. come tomorrow and kick you out.’ In this of the project was essential. She had to My strategic plan was to make sure that context, she can build a new foundation ensure that everybody’s documenta- I had the buy-in of the members in the for her family, embracing the dignity that tion was complete. She describes how process. Once they had a buy-in, I could is possible in this new home. Province would ‘throw out applications.’ work confidently with PEP, SDI, the Befriending a lady in the Province’s Alliance and uTshani.’ For Melanie this We had to make this project work office, she could ask her ‘what do you work is the most important. It is ‘people Making the Ruo Emoh Project work need now? And this official would say ‘do building’. She emphasizes that ‘we need was no easy feat. Melanie stresses that this and that and I would do it and come to build people to build a community. ‘We had to literally prove people wrong.’ back.’ It took a lot of time, driving up and That is exactly what we have done in this The Ruo Emoh project was stuck when down, late nights, going back to Province process.’ she joined it in 2011. At the first meeting and submitting the forms. Critical to the The success of the project demanded her colleague said ‘are you guys bloody process, Melanie explains that ‘I could patience and commitment, attending mad? Melanie – Seriously!’ That is how breathe once I had all 49 approved ben- endless numbers of meetings over the ‘stuck, totally, and utterly STUCK!’ the eficiaries. Going to the families, going years. It required ensuring a free flow Ruo Emoh project was at that stage. back to Province, getting the approved of information and the opening of fi- Drawing on her experience work- documents, it was a challenge. That’s why nances, the writing of a Constitution ing with backyarders on other housing I say when we had the approved project for the community, the formation of a projects, like in Manenberg, she brought beneficiaries then I said now I can start new Committee and now a Ruo Emoh this experience to the Ruo Emoh project, dealing with the members because we Executive. Her philosophy is that ‘know- working extensively with the community. have the biggest part out of the way.’ ledge is power. When you share informa- She explains that this was very tricky. None of this work was straight- tion with people they get to understand Everybody had different opinions. Every- forward. It required a back and forth, and then they can support. Slowly I had body had different stories, different opin- to town and home, to this office and to nurture them to open up the project.’ ions of what’s good and bad, what went that office, to friends and colleagues. This challenging task required her skill wrong and why. She explains that ‘When It was built on networks, negotiating and diplomacy. ‘I had to speak that same it’s an old project, people often gate keep. how things work by building bridges language every time.’ They keep the project very close to them. and linkages. Melanie drew on all her Now she is confident in the project You can’t blame them really because networks, all the relationships she has and in the new Executive. ‘They under- some of them have been working very developed over the years working in the stood it, the good part of it you can see hard.’ She saw her role in this process as Western Cape Backyarders Network. now. I’m not running the show. They protecting the community interest, and ‘The first thing you learn as a leader is to are running their own show. And, that, voice, and primarily ‘building people. We maintain your relationships because you for me, was building the capacity within need to build people to build a commu- never know when you’re going to need this project. People could come together. nity. That is exactly what we have done in them.’ They didn’t wait for me.’ People taking this process.’ A key part of her work has focused on responsibility is key to the success for the Melanie’s work has been extensive. strengthening the new Committee. She project, it is key to home ownership and

74 to the neighbourhood’s longer-term of one thing and accepting another.' ‘We’re not finished, we haven’t put in development. She is especially proud It is a challenge especially to find a built in cupboards…We would love to that Ruo Emoh is one of the first projects balance between her own new life in extend, to go out and to go up to have in which people moved in with title Ruo Emoh and her work and its endless enough space for the children’. Ruo deeds. Each family on the day of handing demands. ‘You have to find a balance Emoh offers other families this founda- over their key received a copy of the title because your work can swallow you up tion too. They take pleasure in the ways deed, with the original securely stored in very easily.’ She recalls all the commu- in which they and their neighbours are the lawyer’s offices. nity meetings and late nights over the making their houses homes, making Her hope and expectation is that the decades. How ‘you’re never at home’. She them comfortable, establishing front Ruo Emoh community will continue to hopes that now she has a choice: ‘I can yards, building the dignity that comes take responsibility for driving their own go or I can stay. I try to prioritise what is with owning this home and living here process. “At the end of the day, they will important now. I try to balance every- together. For Melanie building, extend- be home owners, they need to drive their thing out. Sometimes I am home nice ing and gardening are ‘ownership kicking process.” She sees this happening day and early. I can still cook and do what I in’. Ruo Emoh families have been given by day as Ruo Emoh families settle into need to do. I can make sure that I plan. and have taken the responsibility. their new homes, figuring out new ways You need to plan ahead.’ to live together and to plan for the future. While these changes are not easy – ‘That’s great, that’s what you they require discipline and discussion want to see: Now that I am We are happy to start a new life here - Melanie and Terence are clear that ‘we This is a new beginning most im- actually are moving forward as a family here, it’s not only seeing the portantly for her own family. She can now altogether.’ This house and new change within my own fami- see the difference in her family. Her home in Ruo Emoh offers them a new ly...I can see a change in other children’s environment has changed so foundation. While they have already families too’. In moving to Ruo much through this move. In Manenberg done the tiling and painting, adding on a Emoh this family is building a shootings happened every given day. She carport, she and Terence have additional home, a ‘home that will work.’ emphasizes that ‘Here [in Ruo Emoh] plans for their home. they are safe, they can play; they can breathe. I also think now their attitudes change because they are in this environ- ment where they are fully safe.’ They are all happy to start a new life here. It is not simple or easy to make these changes. She explains that she is ‘also trying to embrace this new place because it’s your new life. How do you really make it work for you? How do you really accept it as part of you? It was very diffi- cult for me on a personal level, letting go CONCLUSION

The stories shared in this book inspire. the many challenges, as well as from the for partner organisations and the com- They put into words dreams and hopes, collaborations, which have sustained the munity over the decades. There is lots of the dream of owning a home that allows project. learning in this work. Some is internal for a life of dignity, a home where there to the project. In order for a project to is running water, access to electricity, a Learning in and from Ruo Emoh come together all partners ideally need toilet, a home where children can play The organising and mobilising at the to be consistently involved and included. outside, a home that provides security heart of the project have been demand- There is a need to be clear and to have set and a space to live an independent life. ing for residents and for PEP, and the accountability around roles and respon- The stories vividly communicate too the SA SDI Alliance. On an individual level, sibilities with guidelines on the processes hardships, the challenges and the finan- residents have had to be patient, to have required by the project. This is especially cial, social and emotional costs, which faith, and to hang on to their optimism important when there are various actors are such a large part of each family’s in order to withstand the setbacks that and committees involved (such as the struggle for a secure place to live. The arose throughout the project’s history. project steering committee, consultants success of Ruo Emoh is embodied in For community leaders – those on the (PEP), as well as the project technical these stories, in residents’ long struggles project steering committee and the social committee in this case). for recognition, dignity and for freedom, facilitator – there were constant pres- Thorough communication and under- and in the hopes families now nurture, sures to balance community expectations standing processes is important so that settled in their own homes. and navigate bureaucratic and organisa- seemingly minor miscommunications do Yet, to think of Ruo Emoh as simply a tional, as well as political challenges. To not cause unnecessary delays. This clarity story about the completion of a housing maintain unity and a sense of communi- was not always possible in Ruo Emoh. project also overlooks what it has taken ty, transparent and continuous com- Sometimes NGO’s stepped into the roles to organise and negotiate this project, as munication has been vital. The ability of social facilitator and community well as the struggle and the compromis- to compromise on different levels has leadership and vice-versa. Sometimes es required to complete the building of made solving disagreements and bring- inconsistency or separate (and often homes. This work has been collaborative, ing together ideas and beliefs possible. contradictory) interactions led to con- involving residents, the Committee and Their commitment, determination and fusion and conflict, tensions which are its leaders, as well as PEP and members trustworthiness has kept the dream of perhaps inevitable in a project of such a of the SA SDI Alliance, particularly Ruo Emoh alive. This organising work complex nature. CORC and FEDUP. This has been hard is on going as Ruo Emoh now establish- Some issues have been external. A work, engagement that required patience es itself, negotiating the ways in which key tension in this project, for instance, and commitment, as well as technical families wish to build this community was when to resist and when to compro- expertise, and political and organisa- together. mise, to give in to political or regulatory tional savvy. In the Ruo Emoh story and The completion of Ruo Emoh has also requirements that seemed ‘anti poor’. experience are lessons, wrought from demanded intensive collaborative work This is challenging turf in a collaborative 76 project. Key political decisions need to be made to help decide on the best approach in tackling the myriad regula- tions (and their financial implications) required by the city. Do NGO’s acquiesce and follow the rules? Do they look for ways to work around these rules through negotiations with sympathetic officials? Or do they choose to make a political statement and challenge regulations, which they deem anti-poor? These types of decisions can stall or halt a project. In Ruo Emoh significant compromises were made throughout, some of which in retrospect should have been challenged. However this type of challenge may have completely de-railed the project. In the end the primary motivation of putting people into safe homes was foreground- ed. But project decisions do need to consider the wider impact and politics of making a stand against anti-poor regulations. This type of support can reshape the regulations that control low-income developments. Collaboratively producing this research and booklet The process of completing this research also has been collaborative, MELANIE JOHNSON drawing into the project the African DISCUSSES THE RUO EMOH Centre for Cities at University of Cape PROJECT WITH STUDENTS Town and its affiliated masters-level DURING A RESEARCH students. Students have learnt so much SESSION. 79 engaging with residents and leaders and reflects your story in the Emoh's struggle and success, the right and Ruo Emoh’s partner organisations. way you told it to them – you to be proud of their new homes and this The project has opened their eyes to the neighbourhood. It highlights what is hardship and struggle, the resilience and feel respected and appreciated. most important and meaningful, in the patience, the agency that families have These narratives are a recogni- words of a community leader, ‘we fought constructed in their lives despite chal- tion for the work that we have for this project.’ We hope this booklet lenging circumstances. The project has been doing”. can be used in the future as a tool for given students first hand exposure to how advocacy going forward and that its NGOs and communities can partner, and In small ways the research process has stories can inspire communities under what communities can achieve working also built better communication among similar circumstances that an alternative together. Ruo Emoh residents. Many people in Ruo is possible. Students were challenged by and ap- Emoh interacted with the students, which preciated the project and the opportunity gave them a chance to explain the project to learn academic research skills and to in their own way and to share their own produce the narratives for this book- story. let and for Ruo Emoh. As one student The collaborative approach to the re- reflected: ‘To go back to the people that search has also made it possible to reflect you interviewed and to share something more varied voices and experiences in the of your experience, the lessons you’ve documentation of the Ruo Emoh story. learned, or the surprises you’ve had, and, By collaborating we achieved something to bring them this work, in writing, was together that we would not have been a beautiful experience.” This sharing, its able to achieve alone. rigour, built mutual respect. A Ruo Emoh Collaborating with the ACC team, made resident explains: it possible to get an in-depth varied reflection of “community voices”, to “When the students came gather stories of residents who normally they actually heard what peo- didn’t speak in community gatherings ple -were saying. We saw this and to produce this booklet. Through this process, students engaged in a context when the students brought our where their learning how to do research stories back to us and we read contributed to this project and its docu- through them. When you can mentation and celebration. see that someone has listened In sum, this booklet is a record of Ruo

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