Unemployment and poverty go hand-in-hand with informal settlements in the north
Living conditions are dire in informal settlements and unhygienic conditions that impact residents’ health are always an issue. Also, basic services such as waste removal and water supply in informal settlements cannot be rendered.
Saki Stohlo, councillor of ward 37, has concerns about unemployment and poverty in the area, as well as informal settlements.
“The ward consists of extensions 4, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 19 of Soshanguve, and Nkwe Estate, Rosslyn Gardens, as well as the whole of Rosslyn’s industrial area.
“My main concern is unemployment and the alleviation of poverty. I believe the planned world-class industrial hub in Rosslyn will address this issue to a great extent. We are always looking at possibilities that encourage local economic growth that will stimulate job creation in an area.”
He said another huge problem all over his ward, that goes hand-in-hand with unemployment and poverty, is that of people living in informal settlements.
“To formalise informal settlements is my main focus in the ward, as I wish to assist those living in unbearable conditions.
“We are currently in the process of trying to get people who live in informal settlements, to relocate to The Orchards ext. 110.”
Rekord reported earlier according to Tshwane metro there is no use in relocating the residents of informal settlements elsewhere by just moving them to yet another location.
Informal settlements are a reality, not only in Pretoria, but in the entire country, and can be viewed as a humanitarian crisis.
ALSO READ: Hundreds to be relocated from north informal settlement
There are many problems that informal settlements pose for other residents in an area. Problems always include complaints about the smoke and pollution caused by the settlers as they usually have to burn wood and waste to make fires for heat to cook.
Living conditions are dire in informal settlements and unhygienic conditions that impact residents’ health are always an issue. Also, basic services such as waste removal and water supply in informal settlements cannot be rendered.
As part of looking for suitable alternative accommodation, the Tshwane metro thus needs to profile the residents of a settlement before relocation.
The only way to make sensible decisions is by profiling the settlers because not all of them would necessarily be able to be moved to the same location. One needs to know their ages, gender, family structures and conditions they live in.
Stohlo said children living in informal settlements always upset him, as they should attend school, but do not always have the opportunity to do so.
“Neither should children suffer living in such challenging conditions. We need to restore dignity.”
Stohlo said he would also like to see more roads and stormwater canals built in the ward in future.
“There are still some areas in the ward that are in dire need of basic infrastructure in respect of roads and stormwater canals. Residents living in those areas have a hard time during the rainy season when the entire area turns muddy.
“People have to get to work, and children need to get to schools. Getting around in general, and also reaching traditional means of transport, then becomes very challenging.”
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
