Press Release (re-issue of statement 4 September 2023) 21 September 2023 Do the People have a right to access information on Public Land? The People’s Land Map Launch takes place Friday 22 September In 2016 NU asked the question, how much vacant and underutilised public land is really available in the City of Cape Town…
Joint Statement – 23 August 2023 National Campaign Demands State Land Disposal of President Ramaphosa On 23 August 2023, land and housing movements in Cape Town will march towards the President’s house in Rondebosch while those in Johannesburg will march the Sandton Convention Centre demanding urgent action in the form of State Land Disposal, to…
Press Release 23 August President, Ministers challenged to act on land reform and redistribution Today, 8 social movements from across South Africa will submit requests to President Cyril Ramaphosa to donate 32 pieces of vacant and underutilised public land to communities living with insecure tenure by making use of the State Land Disposal Act. There…
Press Release 18 July 2023 City changes tune toward well-located affordable housing but doesn’t change progress On 18 July 2017 the City of Cape Town announced the proposed development of social housing on 11 parcels of public land in Woodstock, Salt River and the inner city. Since then, Ndifuna Ukwazi and Reclaim the…
SUBMISSION ON THE RELEASE OF WELL-LOCATED STATE OWNED LAND IN THE CAPE TOWN METROPOLITAN AREA FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSING AND MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT- RESPONSE TO COVID-19 AND LONGER TERM URBAN TRANSFORMATION.
Press Release 13 June 2023 On behalf of a Woodstock family, Ndifuna Ukwazi Law Centre has launched a constitutional challenge* to the issuing of emergency housing kits by the City of Cape Town. The family face eviction from their home of 25 years by the Woodstock Hub (Pty) Ltd, who seeks to develop the building.…
This is a short-term limited appointment to start immediately, ending 31 December 2023 We are looking for a passionate, committed individual with strong organising, mobilising and community campaign skills to join Ndifuna Ukwazi’s team as a “Community Organiser Intern” with immediate effect. Key responsibilities include the following: Building meaningful relationships of trust with partners and…
Press Statement 22 May 2023 On Friday morning, 19 May, Magistrate Reaz Khan granted an eviction against the Willow Arts Collective (WAC), a community living on the former site of the South African National Circus since 2016. The property is located in Observatory, a well located and sought-after area of Cape Town. In 2019, the…
Press Statement 4 May 2023 NU Welcomes the Release of City Land along the Buitengracht Corridor for Affordable Housing On 6 April 2023, the City of Cape Town applied for the rezoning, consolidation and subdivision of one site along the Buitengracht Corridor (Cape Town CBD) for the future release and development of mixed-income housing.…
Press Release: 2 May 2023 NU and SERI call for the abandonment of the PIE amendment proposals by the DA Democratic Alliance MP, Ms Emma Powell, submitted the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from Unlawful Occupation of Land Amendment Bill 2023 to Parliament. The Bill has been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements by…
Ndifuna Ukwazi invites any member of the public to join its free 3-month Advice Assembly programme at the Bertha House in Mowbray. Advice Assembly is a weekly community education programme designed to help participants understand the laws that govern eviction in South Africa, equipping them with the legal and political knowledge to tackle unfair practices…
The NU Housing Clinic works on a first-come first-serve basis to accommodate walk-ins, but encourages interested parties to make an appointment through political organiser and paralegal Ntombi Sambu. Call or Whatsapp: 0623529372 Email: ntombi@nu.org.za Address: 18 Roland Street, Cape Town The Clinic operates on Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s only, excluding public holidays. It does not charge for…
READ PDF PRESS STATEMENT HERE: 29 Mar 2023 Military Land Press statement Military land for homes not weapons! Weak intergovernmental collaboration and a lack of urgency are entrenching the housing crisis. The national government owns enough vacant and underutilised land in Cape Town to deliver hundreds of thousands of homes and materially reduce the housing…
The City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement acts in contempt of court order-2 The City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement acts in contempt of court order IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 29 March 2023 This morning Law Enforcement harassed & burned the money that belonged to the unhoused community in District 6, this is contempt of a court…
The Ndifuna Ukwazi Housing Clinic will not be open for Walk-in Consults on Tuesday 14 March and Wednesday 15 March as we are working on our annual strategy. Please contact Ntombi Sambu to make an appointment or to send an enquiry related to a housing or eviction matter you are facing, in Cape Town: Whatsapp:+27…
Earlier today, the Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town have gone to the Supreme Court of Appeal to overturn the High Court judgment on the Tafelberg housing site matter. Our next guest says that the officials have not acted with urgency after the feasibility studies showed that social housing can be developed…
Press Release 20 February 2023 (Press Statement by the City of Cape Town ) We are relieved that the City of Cape Town has finally accepted its constitutional duty not to illegally evict unlawful occupiers of public land. It took several high court cases for it to realise that there is indignity in shamelessly depriving…
Press Release 16 February 2023 On Monday 20 February 2023, the Tafelberg matter will be heard at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. In 2017, the case made headlines when it reversed the sale of public land in Sea Point, formerly the Tafelberg Remedial School, to a private company for R135 million. Activist groups…
The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) handed down judgment in the Bromwell Matter, and orders City of Cape Town to provide Bromwell families with emergency accommodation in a location as close as possible by May 2023, and upholds their Appeal. Lead attorney in the matter Disha Govender speaks to HeartFM.
Cape Town is proving to be an extremely popular destination for fellow South Africans to be resettling in, and Lester Kiewit discusses whether there is a risk that the population growth will be too rapid. His guests are urban policy researcher Nick Budlender and City of Cape Town Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for…
Press Release 8 February 2023 The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) handed down judgment in the Bromwell Matter on 6 February 2023. The matter was heard on 14 November 2022. Judge Mabindla-Boqwana of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), with the full bench concurring, set aside the High Court order in the Bromwell Street Matter…
“Housing advocacy group Ndifuna Ukwazi assists Bulelani Qolani to lodge damages claim against the City of Cape Town.” Voice of the Cape reports
Dear *|FNAME|* A year of progress! 2022 has been an incredible year of progress in housing and land rights. After years of advocacy, political & protest actions and relentless pressure, we are starting to see a shifting tide in Cape Town.First and foremost, 2022 marks the year where five parcels of land in the inner…
Does the need for sporting facilities outweigh the need for well-located affordable housing? NU objects to Bellville Bowls Green and Golf Club lease renewal. Press Release: 29 November 2022 Public participation for the lease renewal of City of Cape Town land to the Bellville Bowls Green and the Bellville Golf Club closed yesterday. Ndifuna Ukwazi…
Joint Ndifuna Ukwazi and Reclaim the City Statement 11 November 2022 Cissie Gool House Raid Ndifuna Ukwazi (NU) can confirm the raid and arrests that took place at Cissie Gool House on the morning of 11 November 2022. Cissie Gool House is home to more than 1000 people. This residence is one of the three…
11 November 2022 World Diabetes Day and the Bromwell Street Matter – 14 November With estimated 369 000 households awaiting secure and dignified housing in Cape Town, often the debate is focused on delivery, transport density etc. The knock on impact of insecure housing and tenure is clearly visible in the health of the families…
Press Statement: 9 November 2022 Where must we go? Bromwell Street matter to be heard at the Supreme Court of Appeal – Monday 14 November 2022 In November 2021, the Bromwell Street residents, represented by Ndifuna Ukwazi Law Centre won a landmark judgment against the City of Cape Town – which declared that the City’s emergency housing…
10 November 2022 “Regulating the Private Sector: Case Studies in Inclusionary Housing Developments in Cape Town”, is a report which documents and draws out learnings from NU’s five-year experience of advocating for inclusionary housing through the Municipal Planning Tribunal in the City of Cape Town from early 2017 through to August 2022. The…
PRESS STATEMENT: 03 November 2022 The City of Cape Town has repeatedly stated its commitment to using the exceptionally well-located Green Point Bowling Green as a site for affordable and mixed-income housing. Despite this, the City is once again leasing the site out for roughly R3,000 per year for exclusive uses that provide no benefit…
Sydney Street Residents Compensated after Wrongful Eviction by City of Cape Town Press Release: 14 October 2022 46 people living in Sydney Street, District 6, have finally received compensation for the wrongful eviction and impoundment of personal belongings carried out by the City of Cape Town last year. In September 2021, residents of Sydney Street,…
Clint Hendricks is one of the residents in Rainbow House in Observatory. Rainbow House has provided a home, refuge and a safe space for people who were facing homelessness. We have been documenting stories of transition for residents living in the house, this video features Clint Hendricks who was once homeless and is now embarking…
Press Statement: 14 September 2022 A City of Cape Town inclusionary housing policy that was to be finalised in 2021, again delays the building of inner city affordable housing and disrupt spatial apartheid. For the last five years, Ndifuna Ukwazi has been monitoring and objecting to development applications made to the Municipal Planning Tribunal,…
What’s the hold up? PRESS RELEASE 24 August 2022 August 31 2022 marks the two-year anniversary since the landmark Tafelberg judgment to advance spatial justice by the State. This Saturday, 27 August, Reclaim the City together with Ndifuna Ukwazi will hold a public meeting to discuss a way forward. The conversation is open to the…
Statement in Support of SAITF and SERI SA against Hate Speech and Threats Date: 2 August 2022 We as civic organisations here undersigned, condemn the hate speech and cyberbullying, in the form of doxing, by Councillor Nkululeko Mbundu, party representative for Action SA and MMC for Economic Development in the City of Johannesburg, directed at…
Ndifuna Ukwazi response to the Mayor of Cape Town’s Council Address, 28 July 2022: We can’t applaud the City for progress on well-located affordable housing. It has been five years since 11 pieces of public land in Woodstock, Salt River and the inner city were earmarked for affordable housing and social housing, only today the…
We are taking a break from Advice Assembly today – we’ll see you all next week!
On 16 July, Reclaim the City & Ndifuna Ukwazi held a commemoration walking tour to reset pressure on the City of Cape Town to meet its constitutionally mandated obligation to address spatial apartheid through advancing access to land and adequate housing in well-located areas. The demands of RTC & NU is for the City to…
Meeting Point: 36 Mountain Road, Woodstock Date: Saturday, 16 July 2022 Time: 09:30 to leave at 10:00 Duration: Approximately 3 hours, (including the documentary and discussion thereafter). RSVP Here About the event: On Saturday 16 July, Reclaim the City in partnership with Ndifuna Ukwazi will host the “Empty Plots and Promises Commemoration Walking Tour” to…
On this episode we talk about securing legal representation with Legal Aid. What is Legal Aid? Who can secure legal representation? Legal aid functions? [Original post here]
On today’s episode we talk about Constructive Eviction and Spoliation Order. What happens when your landlord disconnects your water, electricity or change locks? What are your rights as a tenant? [Original post here]
On this episode we talk about Registering on the housing waiting list. What is the criteria to be on the housing waiting list? The housing backlog is overburdened while there’s insufficient provision of housing. What other alternatives should the City consider in redressing the housing backlog and the spatial injustice? We’re joined by Karen Hendricks…
On this episode we talk about Appeal and Rescission. What happens when the court grants an eviction against you? What procedures put in place to appeal your eviction? Do you have any options? Listen to find out more. [Original post here]
On this episode we talk about Court order & execution. What happens when the court grants an eviction against you? What are you options? Listen to Ndifuna Ukwazi’s attorney Mpho Raboeane and Community Organiser Aphiwe Ngalo discussing court orders and execution with Zainab Bean on Radio786 – 100.4FM. [Original post here]
Tat’ Jackson Ndungane speaks about his struggle for affordable housing in Sea Point. The struggle for housing on the Tafelberg site started in 2000 when they were promised housing on the site. Tat Ndungane rejoiced as this would be an opportunity to live with his family under one roof (Body Corporate Rules denied workers to…
On this episode we talk about Rent Arrears and Rent-Interdict Summons. This session helps us understand how defaulting on payment can lead to your landlord claiming rental arrears. In addition we talk about how to challenge unfair and/or inaccurate claims.
Ndifuna Ukwazi Executive Director Adi Kumar speaks to Africa Melane on social housing in South Africa. [Orignal post here]
PETITION: The City of Cape Town has to properly address the need for well-located land & housing, instead of criminalising (fining and arresting) those who need it! Sign here and demand that the City of Cape Town rescind the Unlawful Occupation By-Law NOW! https://bit.ly/38LXfQj The City’s Draft Unlawful Occupation By-Law criminalises unlawful occupation by creating several…
In case you’ve missed it! RENTAL HOUSING TRIBUNAL Courts can be expensive for both landlord and tenant. We advocate for meaningful engagements between landlord and tenants prior to taking legal action – in most cases this isn’t the prefered route. The Rental Housing Tribunal plays a role of a mediator in eviction matters. In this…
On this episode of On the Couch with Zainab Bean on Radio 786 – 100.4FM, we talk about what happens during an eviction hearing and what you can do should you NOT have legal representation. Can you represent yourself? Listen to the end to find out.
📢Do you need to learn more about eviction law?📢 NU is hosting a 10-week Advice Assembly programme from 18 May onwards, every Wednesday from 5pm – 7pm at Bertha House in Mowbray, Cape Town RSVP: 065 993 1324 on Whatsapp to join or DM us.
On a cold Friday morning, the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement arrived at the corner of Buitenkant Street to threaten unhoused people with an illegal eviction. Some of the residents are Gelderbloem clients – who are challenging the constitutionality of the City’s conduct on unhoused people – this is disingenuous. The City provided a…
On this episode of On the Couch with Zainab Bean we talk about the current position on evictions now that the state of disaster has come to an end and the golden rule: no one may be evicted without a court order.
National Minister of Human Settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi released the 2022 Human Settlements Budget Vote this week. Refilwe Moloto speaks to Adi Kumar, Executive Director, Ndifuna Ukwazi, about their concerns when it comes to government’s plans for housing. [Original Post here]
NDIFUNA UKWAZI PRESS RELEASE: 11 May 2022 HUMAN SETTLEMENTS BUDGET VOTE EXPOSES STALLING DELIVERY, OFFERS NO TANGIBLE STRATEGY On Tuesday, 9 May, the National Minister of Human Settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi released the 2022 Human Settlements Budget Vote that stipulates how the South African government will deliver government-subsidised housing across all provinces. The budget vote from the…
Do you need to learn more about eviction law? We are hosting a 10-week Advice Assembly programme from 18 May 2022 onwards, every Wednesday from 5pm – 7pm at Bertha House in Mowbray, Cape Town. The course covers your rights, the law that regulates evictions, and what remedies are available for people experiencing illegal evictions.…
