Take a walk with the SUN: Visiting the Sakhithemba construction site [Video]
Take a walk with the SUN as we explore Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter's ongoing construction project in Lower Illovo.
THIS week’s walk is a little different as I, Nikhil Gopichand, journalist for the South Coast Sun, explore the construction site of Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter, a project which has been ongoing since March of this year.
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Laura Taylor, an environmental science consultant and long-time resident of Lower Illovo, explained that the community at large has vehemently opposed the project since it began.
@sun.newspapers Laura Taylor, an environmental science consultant and long-time resident shows an updated look at the progress of the Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter construction site in Lower Illovo.
Central to its opposition is that the community was not consulted prior to the project being greenlighted. Since then, community meetings have taken place at the nearby school, the Lower Illovo sports ground and the Amanzimtoti Civic Centre, where deputy mayor, councillor Zandile Myeni, attended and heard the community’s concerns, and a 500-strong march was held along the R603.
Recently, a letter was handed to the mayor rejecting the proposed homeless shelter and requesting a meeting. This has fallen on deaf ears and the construction continues. Phase one is expected to be completed in November.
Following this, around 800 homeless people are expected to be brought in as residents for a six-month period. The shelter, according to plans shared on eThekwini Town Talk, comprises two sleeper rooms, an administration block, a kitchen, as well as a recreation, health and wellness centre.
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