‘No one’s dream is to live in a shack’
More than 200 houses, some made out of wood, tin and some early low cost houses with crumbling foundations, dot the sloping landscape of Briardene Informal Settlement, with North Coast Road acting as the backdrop.
ALL Briardene Informal Settlement resident Jo Giyane has ever known about the concept of home, is the four wooden walls of his shack, the circumference of which is no bigger than a car.
Resourceful, resilient and hopeful, Giyane says he firmly believes his vote in Wednesday’s national elections is about changing his circumstances.
More than 200 houses, some made out of wood, tin and some early low cost houses with crumbling foundations, dot the sloping landscape of Briardene Informal Settlement, with North Coast Road acting as the backdrop.
A spaza shop perches in front of a newly built playground. Hungry dogs roam around looking for a morsel of food and residents go about their business like in any normal suburb.
“No one’s dream is to live in a shack. There are no words to describe what it’s like to live in a home that leaks every time it rains, a home that is baking hot during the summer.
“I’ve grown up in an informal settlement and yes there’s been progress, but change is tangible and I haven’t felt that yet. We don’t have a lot but we make do,” said Giyani.
Another resident, Innocent Mthembu first came to Briardene in 1992 and currently lives in a low cost house which is slowly sinking.
“There are many downsides to living in an informal settlement. The crime rate is high and any call to the Greenwood Park police takes an hour before there is a response. I don’t expect a handout from anyone but a helping hand is needed. We haven’t been given a fair start in life,” Mthembu said.
Unlike many informal settlements countrywide who have been ablaze with disenchantment, residents of Briardene have shown resilience and resourcefulness. Thami Mabina explains why.
“For me, I consider the conditions won’t change during my lifetime, but I hope they will for the children who live here. I can’t hope for more, the future is about them,” he said.
Both Thami and Jo recently helped in the formation of the Briardene Youth Centre with sport as the main focus for change.
“We have more than 40 children who come everyday and play soccer, volleyball, netball. We’ve even got a basketball net. Sport is not enough to change their lives on its own but alongside every opportunity to play the game they also learn how to work together and how to make decisions,” Jo said.
All three of the men say they will vote this coming Wednesday with the hope that things will change for the better.
