Philippi News

25 000 flood Cape Town each year, says mayor

By Ashley Smith

Cape Town is experiencing an influx of 25 000 people a year, especially from rural areas in the Eastern Cape.

This was revealed on Wednesday by new unicity mayor Nomaindia Mfeketo in outlining her administration's strategy for poverty reduction, economic development, job creation and financial sustainability.

Among proactive steps Mfeketo mooted to deal with the influx is identification of "holding areas" from which people could be moved to "well-spaced" settlements.

Mfeketo said the council had in the past moved people from "dangerous" areas like Nyanga to Philippi. But vacant spaces in Nyanga were immediately filled by new dwellings.

The new African National Congress-New National Party city government, which wrested control from the Democratic Party during the 15-day defection period two months ago, has prioritised the upgrading of informal settlements.

In its vision entitled "2005 and beyond", the ANC-NNP coalition has identified unplanned settlements as the reason for recurring floods and fires in shack-filled areas.

Mfeketo said it was vital that the unicity be proactive in planning for the people who flocked to the city every year in search of better opportunities.

Pieces of land with basic services should be identified as "holding areas" from which new arrivals could be moved systematically to well-spaced settlements.

Local Government MEC Cobus Dowry said the Western Cape had a backlog of houses for 316 000 families with 20 000 to 30 000 new families added each year. - Political Writer

This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Times on 12 December 2002

Published on the Web by IOL on 2002-12-12 05:38:00

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Artist tackles SA mission impossible

By Abel Mputing

Life among strangers in South Africa can be a hard act for a foreign artist like Tanzanian-born Marijani R Magogo.

His troubles are typical of many artists from other parts of Africa who have found South Africa more "foreign" than they expected in terms of red tape, politics, cultures and xenophobia.

But Magogo is one foreigner who has managed to surface with relative success from this sea of hardships.

One of the most celebrated black portrait painters in the townships

Three years ago he was living in Pretoria as a relatively unknown painter. But since moving to Cape Town he has hit on a winning formula with his signatory portraits of hip-hop and R&B stars such as Snoopy Dogg, Puff Daddy, Will Smith and 2PAC, which now adorn many hairdressers' containers in the sprawling black townships.

In just a short space of time his sought-after work has turned him into one of the most celebrated black portrait painters in the townships.

His prolific works show a vivid and quirky imagination. Almost everywhere you go in the townships you bump into his art.

But, while popular as an artist, Magogo finds that in may ways he is still regarded as a foreigner, often at the mercy of local strangers.

He complains that life in South Africa has not been up to his expectations.

'There is a bigger and better arts industry here than back home'

"I left Tanzania because it was difficult to either carve out a successful career or make a living as an artist there.

"I decided to come to South Africa, because I believed, and I still do, that there is a bigger and better arts industry here than back home.

"But making a breakthrough into it has been an impossible mission, to my surprise not only for us foreigners, but also for local artists."

Of his celebrity portraits, he says: "I am not doing this by choice. If I had my way I would be doing something else. I am doing the portraits of these famous hip-hop and R&B stars because I am commissioned by hair salons to do them, for they say their hairstyles, their clothing styles and their way of life are popular with the South African youth."

He would prefer to do representational and abstract painting, says Magogo thoughtfully.

Then he proudly shows me his "serious" portfolio, which comprises watercolour and oil abstracts, landscapes and canvases of Kenya's Masai tribe.

There is undoubted quality and creativity here, yet, not unsurprisingly, he had no formal or academic training during his Tanzanian upbringing.

"Art to me is not a profession, but a calling. I have never learnt art from someone. And there is no one who can claim to have taught me. I discovered this God-given talent myself during my school days.

"Apart from that, in Tanzania it was, and still is, rare to find an art school. Arts are not seen as a vital sphere for human development, but an expensive luxury that the Tanzanian economy can't afford," he complains.

In spite of having the talent to churn out pictures of the cultural icons of South Africa's black youth, however, Magogo has found his artistic popularity has not brought him much in the way of material success.

He still survives from hand to mouth and lives in a makeshift caravan in Philippi with his wife and two children.

"This portraits project has helped to promote my name. And I am glad that there are many more people who know me now than ever before.

"But financially, it leaves much to be desired. I am definitely not making a fortune from it, as many might have thought.

"Sometimes I come home with empty pockets as much of the money has to be spent on painting materials.

"The problem is that I am working with local up-and-coming businessmen who just can't pay me a professional fee.

"However, because art is my only source of living I am forced to cut my price to suit their pockets or my family would starve," he complains.

While times may be tough, Magogo shows there is absolutely nothing that can suppress his deep artistic conviction.

"Art may not have taken me where I think I should be by now. But I still and will always enjoy its process of creation anew every time I hold my brush in my hand. Because it's divine and irreplaceable.

"Above all, it is what I live for," says Magogo with determination.

In spite of all the setbacks, Magogo's determination is still a mile high and he is as passionate as the sun.

Musing over the long-term future, Magogo says: "One thing that I would love to do in my lifetime is open up a school and teach arts.

"Many people tend to forget that the civilisation of any nation lies in the development of its arts. We have seen how France was redeveloped through arts during the Renaissance, and currently how arts contribute to the US economy.

"Art can also go a long way in elevating youths who were not given a fair chance of survival in life. With luck it can even turn them into high-flying celebrities, who command wealth and respect.

"I would die a heartbroken man if I could not transfer or impart some of my skills and knowledge about visual art to the younger generation.

"I am determined to leave this legacy behind. That is my moral mission in life. And I won't let the lack of resources derail my intentions."

Published on the Web by IOL on 2002-09-26 15:05:23

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Cape Town hit by hijacking plague

Hijacking in Cape Town has increased by almost 50 percent in 12 months, bringing a Johannesburg-style taste of fear to the Mother City's streets.

And the latest statistics show that the hijacking, rape and murder of Port Elizabeth visitors near Cavendish Square in Claremont on Friday was not an isolated incident.

The situation is so bad nationally that insurance companies are rejecting gearlocks and standard vehicle immobilisers as security measures for the models at the top of hijackers' and car thieves' hit lists.

Industry sources said on Tuesday that the most frequently targeted vehicles in Cape Town were Toyota Hiaces, Hiluxes, Ventures and Stallions.

'It's not only expensive new vehicles that are getting hijacked'

Also near the top, the South Africa Insurance Association claims, are Volkswagen Citi Golfs, Ford Tracers, Mazda Midges and Isuzu bakkies.

Latest favourites include the Volkswagen Polo Playa and Polo Classic.

But the head of the Netstar satellite recovery system in Cape Town, Mike Demont, shattered the myth that drivers of older vehicles are safe.

"It's not only expensive new vehicles that are getting hijacked," he said. "The problem is much bigger than people realise.

"A lot of older cars are being hijacked for parts."

'A lot of people are hurt or shot because they put up resistance. Don't!'

It was from a 10-year-old Opel Monza that Port Elizabeth man, Derrick van Niekerk, was dragged and shot in the head by three attackers on Friday.

Demont said the increase in hijackings in the greater Cape Town area was confirmed by the latest police statistics.

Hijackings of cars and trucks increased by 49 percent between 2000 and 2001, bringing the total to 443.

Sources in the vehicle and insurance industry said drivers of bakkies - of any kind - were in the most danger.

More vehicles were being hijacked in outlying suburbs such as Durbanville as well.

But hijacking is still most rampant on the Cape Flats. Nyanga, Philippi and Brown's Farm have been branded the most violent danger zones.

Soaring hijack and car theft rates are forcing many insurance companies to insist on hi-tech security.

"Hijackers are not out to just randomly shoot people. A lot of people are hurt or shot because they put up resistance. Don't!" Demont warned.

Published on the Web by IOL on 2002-10-23 11:07:27

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Flood victims fear disease and looting

By Judy Damon

The aftermath of the Western Cape's three-day storm is hard-hitting. Where some informal houses once stood there is nothing but mud.

Some spaza shops are operating as relief centres, and a number of roads resemble rivers.

Trust between neighbours has been shattered because of fears of looting.

And the sudden death of a two-month-old baby at the Brown's Farm informal settlement in Philippi has caused panic among parents.

'My son was healthy before the rain came'

They fear for the health of their children, many already coughing and sneezing in the cold weather.

The children have complained of headaches and stomach cramps.

Baby Sitabile Goloza, twin brother of Simtandile, died on Monday morning. His mother, Nompakamiso, said he had started to cough when it started raining last Wednesday.

"My son was healthy before the rain came," she said, pointing to Sitabile's clinic card where no other health problems had been recorded since his birth.

"The nurse gave him cough medicine and then the rain came hard and my child died."

There has been no major outbreak of 'flu or sickness, like after last year's flooding, said disaster management spokesperson Johan Minnie. He said clinics and hospitals were on high alert for an influx of flood victims who may contract diseases.

Retired nurses volunteering for SA Red Cross duty are monitoring children for sickness during feeding times.

Nurses are also ensuring that food is prepared in hygienic conditions and that toilet facilities at mass care centres are clean.

Most women and children spend the night in the community halls while the men return to their wet shacks to guard them from looters.

Flood victims, identified by the pink tags around their wrists, are not allowed to bring their belongings into community halls.

"It gets dark quickly and you cannot see who is moving around your house," said Philippi flood victim Victor Nokoyo, who receives a hot meal twice a day at a mass care centre.

"My neighbours are in trouble. They are jobless and need food. When the sun goes down they come out, hoping to find something they can sell."

"I will not move from my shack, no matter how wet it becomes," he said. Police have been told to prioritise calls about looting from flood victims.

Minnie said disaster management teams worked until the early hours of Tuesday morning counting destroyed shacks and their occupants.

A further 8 000 victims are expected to be counted in the 21 affected areas, he said.

He added that they were in need of food, blankets and clothing, especially men's clothing.

Anyone who wishes to make donations to flood victims can contact the SA Red Cross on 021 797 5360 or the Salvation Army on 021 689 8896.

Published on the Web by IOL on 2002-07-30 21:33:53

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Health master created by people

In between the many shacks built along dirt roads in Brown's Farm in Philippi, stands the Inzame Zabantu Community Health Centre, like a beacon of hope.

It is a health centre created by the people.

Standard Bank's national deputy chief executive, Myles Ruck, and provincial finance minister Ebrahim Rasool on Thursday visited the oasis, housed in rows of metal containers.

The centre belongs to the provincial government, but was started by a community frustrated by red tape.

'The community health centres are often the only lifeline many people have.'

Zethu Xapile, chief nurse at the centre, said: "Whenever we asked government for money or help they turned us down. We said to ourselves that if government cannot help us we will look somewhere else."

This they did, and received a donation of containers from Safmarine in 1994, for the first phase of the centre.

It soon became too small and after help from a local church more containers were received, this time from "friends" in America.

Then their first big sponsor came on board. Standard Bank has made a financial donation every year for the past three years in partnership with Stellenbosch University.

Rasool said he was glad to see that bank was investing in the health of the people. He said the support "shows that they understand that health is not just about the three big hospitals".

"The community health centres are often the only lifeline many people have."

Rasool said the province planned a 200-bed hospital in Brown's Farm once funding was available.

Published on the Web by IOL on 2002-09-27 11:45:49

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