Taking a stand against homelessness

Many residents in the south of Johannesburg started receiving notices.

Flat owners and the agencies did this knowing that many people were unable to work or were retrenched because of lockdown.

One of the residents, Ayesha Rajah, said they tried to explain they were not unwilling but are currently unable to pay rent.

“We had a choice, either feed our families or pay rent. Many households where we live are women-headed. Our options were to be made homeless or to organise ourselves. That was the beginning of the Tenants Association of Robertsham,” she said.

They have since gained members from other areas in the South.

“We are also working with other Gauteng-based organisations. We were part of the movement to make August 1 the launchpad of a national day of action.”

These protests were most often coordinated and led by women, and by workers who were essential to making the lives of everyone easier and better.