Rows of zinc structures at Blikkiesdorp, where residents say a temporary solution has stretched into years of waiting for permanent homes.
Nearly two decades after Blikkiesdorp was established, some of the residents who slept on the pavements in 2007 in the hope of securing homes for their families say the City of Cape Town has delivered nothing but empty promises.
Blikkiesdorp, meaning “Tin Can Village," in Afrikaans was a name given to the settlement by residents. It was established by then Mayor Helen Zille and the City of Cape Town for backyard dwellers who had occupied homes still under construction following a court order.
During its inception, it contained 1 600 one-bedroomed structures made out of zinc roofs and walls and were 18 square metres in size.
It was given the TRA title, meaning, a Temporary Relocation Area, which would see those awaiting homes to be accommodated.
