The spread of the coronavirus has once again brought into sharp focus the unequal access to basic services across race, class and income lines in many countries. Informal settlements have now become potential death traps, writes Qhamani Tshazi
In the height of the Covid-19 coronavirus spread, government has gone to extreme measures to curb the infrastructure deficits in informal settlements as a means to limit the impacts of this virus in these areas.
The current ratio of people per tap or toilet is far off from the national norms and standards in many municipalities including Buffalo City Metro. In light of the apparent lack of basic services, communities have not just sat by idly waiting for government to provide basic services to them; many have taken initiative and have connected themselves to some of the basic services.Access to television, refrigeration, lights, sanitation and drinking water are all basic needs irrespective of whether one lives in an informal settlement or not.
The DIY urbanism approach is a direct opposite to the top down bureaucratically sanctioned and funded urban change that is largely associated with urban planning. There is only so much waiting that people can do until they decide to take matters into their own hands. He joked that every time when municipal officials disconnect illegal connections, he simply makes more money, often doubling his monthly income.
Most of the artisanal services provided through DIY urbanism are often unsafe and carry unprecedented risks for firstly the “service providers” who at times have no formal training or protective gear and to the recipients of the service who move from a transaction in waiting to victim in waiting with each illegal connection.
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