The burden of Durban’s porters may get heavier
Porters in Durban work hard and for very little pay, without any support. Now, the city is set on moving them to a part of town where their earning potential will be diminished.
eThekwini Municipality
Durban shack dwellers illegally evicted
Just about every week of the lockdown, shack dwellers in Durban have faced demolition crews who burn their belongings and leave them homeless – in violation of the law, and despite the moratorium on evictions.
Merciless evictions continue in Durban
Deaf to the desperate pleas of Ekuphumeleleni residents, the eThekwini municipality continues to demolish their shacks as the Covid-19 lockdown takes other terrible tolls.
Covid-19 pushes Durban’s homeless to the forefront
The eThekwini municipality has long ignored the homeless in Durban. Now the coronavirus lockdown has forced it to acknowledge their existence and rope in help to meet their needs.
eThekwini evictions continue despite moratorium
The hardships imposed by the Covid-19 lockdown have been exacerbated for a group of shack dwellers in Durban whose homes have been demolished.
Women’s hostel dwellers want housing
Residents at Thokoza Women’s Hostel, who earn a living through street trading, say better living conditions could improve their small businesses and keep their children safe.
A woman street seller in Durban stands up to authorities
Verushka Memdutt, who has been a trader for almost three decades, fights bureaucratic bylaws and unfair policing all the while supporting her family and community.
Family feud over land halts Umbumbulu development
A piece of land that could be developed to benefit the Umbumbulu community near Durban has instead been unused for years because of a protracted dispute.
Abahlali rejects draft bill on expropriation
The shack dwellers’ movement Abahlali baseMjondolo has taken a firm stance on land expropriation without compensation, insisting that it has to favour the landless and not the elite.
Urine power in a Durban shack settlement
A pilot project could be the answer to electricity, water and waste woes as a communal ablution block is being lit up by batteries that generate power using a microbial fuel cell.
eThekwini commuters pay for council’s contracts
Perhaps a commission of inquiry can shine the spotlight on public transport in Durban, where bus and taxi passengers have to contend with fare increases and disrupted services.
eThekwini residents get fit in outdoor gyms
Durban residents are making full use of the free outdoor gyms the eThekwini Municipality has installed around the city, but poor equipment maintenance may scupper their fitness plans.
Glebe residents fear violent death at any time
Eight men are on trial for acts of violence in Glebelands hostel, but its residents feel that this is only the tip of the iceberg.