Housing Crisis persist in Eldorado Park
The housing crisis in Eldorado Park increases each year as the population in the community increases.
The housing crisis in Eldorado Park increases each year as the population in the community increases. The Greater Eldorado Park Housing Task Team (GEPHTT) members can attest to the statement above as they have explained that many generations are living under one roof or within one yard.
Finley Watson who is part of GEPHTT said: “The main purpose of the task team is to get our people houses. There are a lot of backyard dwellers and we are the tool that is engaging with government to get our people houses.
According to the members who were present for the interview, the task team was democratically elected in 2018 by the community with councilors Fazel Jaffer and Peter Rafferty to speak for housing, land, and development on behalf of the greater Eldorado Park community which includes Kliptown.
GEPHTT consists of about eighteen members who are from the different extensions within the area. Gaynolina Mattera sits as the deputy chairperson on the team with Rabia Haet as deputy secretary. Phillip Ratson, Allister Fredericks, Billy Peterson, Zaida Krauser, Thembi Kublka, Neville Williams, Arlene Lapan, Trevor Fisher, Clifford Hlomane are all members of the housing task team.
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Ratson explained: “We take the mandate from the community and we represent them. People have been crying for many years for houses. People suffer during the rainy seasons, there are people in shacks living there for years, they also end up dying without getting their house.” When it comes to alliances, GEPHTT is in an alliance with the Gauteng Housing Criss Committee (GHCC). “When we operate as GEPHTT we are within the Eldorado Park boundaries, but when we step out of Eldorado Park, it is then when we are part of the GHCC,” added Ratson.
According to Haet, GEPHTT makes use of the democratic right to protest whether it is in the form of marches, rally’s, or sit-ins and they also abide by government policies, the law and also challenge some that violate human rights. “We are also aware that land grabs are happening and squatter camps are emerging rapidly and are being prioritised by the government, but law-abiding citizens living in backyards and sleeping on streets are not being considered for housing and land.”
“GEPHTT looks out for the needy majority to be housed whether by RDP or rapid land release serviced sites allocation. The process may be slow for now as communities and government try to forge a way ahead but it must be consistent and progressive and innovative.”
“The process is difficult and slow as the community and government don’t trust each other and also the negative setback experienced every time a new MEC for housing or a new Minister is appointed, there is a lack of continuity to the detriment of the citizens and communities. We are only housing activists we have no power or authority to give or gift anyone houses, or sell houses and land or promise anything and we do not speak on behalf of the government,” said Haet.
Ward Councillor Fazel Jaffer was also in the meeting and shared his opinion: “I think that the major housing issue is that the waiting list is not transparent. People don’t know where they are on the list, I think if people knew where they were on the list it would be better.” The housing task team expressed that the Covid-19 pandemic has slowed processes down for them but as soon as restrictions are lifted, they will be back to engaging with the government on the housing crisis in the Greater Eldorado Park area.
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