George Lea Park dwellers
SANDTON – A look at how squatters live in George Lea North Park.
George Lea North Park has become well known for its hoards of illegal dwellers.
Kate Wardle, deputy chairperson of the Parkmore Community Association said, “It is not dignified to live the way that these squatters live and nobody should live like this.”
In order to better understand the way in which the George Lea Park dwellers live, a Sandton Chronicle journalist walked around the park and spoke to numerous squatters. This park is home to many builders and waste collectors.
One of the squatters, who has chosen to remain anonymous, estimated that there are about 300 people living there.
The journalist was welcomed by piles of rubbish sorted into cans, milk cartons and plastic bottles, as well as the smell of breakfast being cooked on fires.
Read: George Lea Park becomes a dumping ground
The murky, dirty river that flows through the park, as well as the informal homes covered in dustbin bags, make this area the most powerful juxtaposition to the Sandton City skyline.
Many of the dwellers did not speak English as they are originally from Lesotho. Sifiso Msibi of the Parkmore Community Association, assisted the Sandton Chronicle journalist by translating.
Bonang Klakafo lives with his wife Maretabele and baby Retabele in the park. He capitalised on the fact that there is no electricity in the park and charges the squatters for the use of a solar panel. He added, “I also make money by collecting waste, sorting it and then delivering it to the depot in Wynberg. I get R2 per kilogram of plastic bottles and tinned food cans, R4 per kilogram of milk cartons and R3 per kilogram of soda cans.”
Klakafo elaborated on the issue of sanitation, “The toilet is everywhere and anywhere in George Lea.
“The river is full of sewage so we cannot use the river for drinking or to wash ourselves. We go and get water for washing from the petrol station, but they often turn us away.”
Read: A problem bigger than just George Lea
Another dweller, who only wished to be referred to as Dita to protect her privacy said, “I make about R250 per week by selling food such as vetkoek and pap. I also make my own alcohol and sell that to the squatters. I have an FNB account so I do not need to worry about the safety of my cash.”
Dita is originally from Lesotho and explained that her husband and children still live there. She said that she has been living in George Lea North Park for 15 years and says the park is her home.
Ward 102 councillor David Potter, commented on the issue in general and said, “Displaced persons across the city remain a concern. The issue is much larger than what is seen at face value. There is a deeper economic and social aspect that needs to be resolved.”
Read more:
Illegal dumping hits George Lea
