Meet the white squatters of Munsiville, Gauteng

It all started in December last year when about 300 illegal squatters were removed by Mogale City Local Municipality on the West Rand. About 200 squatters were given new homes, and the remaining squatters decided to move elsewhere, Krugersdorp News reported.

The remaining squatters went to live in Munsieville and started a project aimed at finding solutions to the crises of poverty and unemployment.

Irene and Hugo van Niekerk, leaders of the so called Pango Camp community, said they were quite happy living in Munsieville and did not understand why people were afraid to enter the township.

“When we moved in last year, our new neighbours helped us to move our belongings and offered us mattresses for those who did not have,” Irene explained.

When donations are made to the Pango Camp, Irene takes them and divides the food and other goods into groups.

“We always have more than enough to give, so other needy residents around Pango Camp sometimes also help themselves to some food,” Irene said.

“This is our home, but is also serves as a community centre and church,” Hugo explained.

One of the Pango Camp residents, Christene du Toit, and her partner Attie Erasmus laid down carpets to keep their home warm.

“We have to face the circumstances that brought us here. But we are thankful for Irene’s hospitality and the help she gives us. If you don’t have food, she will make a plan to feed your family,” Christene said.

With about one mobile toilet per two households and about six taps with running water, the Pango Camp community say they are “well off”.

“All we might need is gas stoves. Cooking your food with a fire is a difficult thing to do in the cold of winter,” Irene said.

– Caxton News Service