‘We are a forgotten community’
Residents of the Vlak informal settlement at Goliath Estate in Kraaifontein fear for their well being as heavy rains and strong winds continue this week.
Some of their shacks were left flooded following overnight rainfall last Thursday, July 4.
Amanda Arendse said every winter their lives become a nightmare as the area is flooded during the rains. They are worried that more people will lose their homes and possessions over the next few days.
She said they feel like they are a forgotten community and the government has done nothing to help them.
“It looks like we are at the backside of everything, most of the people don't even know that there is a community staying in here, we are surrounded by new developments, but there is nothing positive out there for this community,” said Ms Arendse.
She said the community is still using portable toilets and wishes that the City of Cape Town can build proper toilets for them.
Lecille Poole, founder of Shirley’s Giving Hands, an NPO that feeds vulnerable communities across Kraaifontein, visited the Vlak together with Gift of the Givers, where they provided meals and blankets to residents.
She described the area as poverty stricken and neglected. She said some of the challenges are gangsterism, high levels of prostitution, alcohol abuse and children not attending school. She said some children have no birth certificates.
“We feed nearly 500 people here, twice a week. About 90% of people here are unemployed. Many people have criminal records which makes it hard for them to get jobs,” said Ms Poole.
