by Kwanda Lande and Mariel Zimmermann (on behalf of CORC) We decided to do re-blocking because we were living in a very congested settlement, we wanted our settlement to be rearranged, we wanted services – we wanted to have roads, toilets, electricity and water. We also wanted this project because it is going to mitigate fire […]
By Yolande Hendler and Kwanda Lande (on behalf of CORC) “What’s the difference when we collect data on our own informal settlements?” – a question that Melanie and Nozuko asked to a packed room of 150 people, including the South African Minister of Human SettIements, Lindiwe Sisulu. As urban poor residents and coordinators of social […]
Compiled by Carmen Cancellari (on behalf of CORC) Through the Federation Income Generation Programme, FEDUP savers have an opportunity to establish small businesses to generate income through accessing and repaying loans. The financial aspect is crucial, but how can the Federation contribute to building solidarity and sharing among FEDUP business women? The experience of Patience, a […]
*By GxaGxa Community Members, Compiled by Shelby Lyons (on behalf of CORC) This blog contributes to a series called Community Voices; a blog space that shares the words of community members themselves. These stories— diverse yet unified – highlight aspects of the history, challenges and daily experiences associated with life in informal settlements. This blog draws […]
By Ava Rose Hoffman (on behalf of CORC) In this blog, Mzwanele Zulu—National Informal Settlement Network (ISN) Coordinator—discusses the process of identifying community priorities and engaging with local government to construct the Midrand Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) Facility, which will become operational in the coming weeks. Midrand is an informal settlement located in northwestern Port Elizabeth, situated […]
By Ava Rose Hoffman and Yolande Hendler (on behalf of CORC) A variety of methodologies exist for gathering data on informal settlements. The SA SDI Alliance follows the practice of community administered enumerations and community-led settlement mapping using GIS technology. An enumeration refers to a detailed household level surveys that engages community members on socio-economic […]
By Ava Rose Hoffman (on behalf of CORC) In this blog, the SA SDI Alliance speaks with Nkokheli Ncambele—ISN Coordinator of the Western Cape—to learn about how the participation process functions on the ground during informal settlement upgrading, and in particular, reblocking initiatives . Reflecting upon the Alliance’s early experiences with re-blocking in Sheffield Road (2010-2011) and […]
By Yolande Hendler (on behalf of CORC) While the value of in-situ informal settlement upgrading is increasingly recognised by national and global actors, its implementation as a co-productive approach rooted in meaningful community participation is inadequate. An exception, however, is the Community Organisations Development Institute (CODI), a finance facility of the Thai government that has […]
By Dan Silver, Diana Mitlin and Sophie King (crossposted from the Global Development Institute at the University of Manchester) “We are poor, but we are not hopeless. We know what we are doing”. This is Alinah Mofokeng, one of three activists from the South African alliance of community organizations and support NGOs affiliated to Shack […]
by Ava Rose Hoffman (on behalf of CORC) In 2016, the SA SDI Alliance began a new series of participatory learning spaces intended for FEDUP and ISN community leaders and CORC staff to collaboratively strengthen understandings of government structures, processes, laws, and principles. These sessions serve to equip professionals and community leaders alike with information […]
