Shack dwellers receive winter boost of 100 roof covers
A HUNDRED Egoli informal settlement families in Schaapkraal will sleep more peacefully this winter – thanks to a donation of 100 roof covers that will provide waterproofing for their shacks against leaks from heavy winter rains.
The Ikaya (home) covers were sponsored by an anonymous Johannesburg-based donor, said Ameer Samsodien, from Cape Town charity Mustadafin Foundation, which is using the roof cover as a pilot project.
“We fitted five covers today (on five shacks) and over the next 10 days we will install the balance of 95 covers,” said Samsodien.
He explained that the foundation facilitated projects such as going to the settlement and determining the identities and other details of beneficiaries of the roof covers.
“We do the fitting and make sure the covers, which won’t blow away or tear, are securely fitted to the shack.
“Previously people used the black (building) foundation sails for covering the roofs of their shacks.
“But the disadvantages of that is that it seems to be very limited in its lifespan, as it tears easily and is highly inflammable,” he said:
The advantage of the Ikaya cover made of PVC was that it was much more durable and heat-resistant, Samsodien said.
“The motivation behind the donation is to be as humanitarian as possible.
“We regularly visit Egoli area in the winter season to do relief work there, as there is a high rate of flooding,” he said.
Ismail Moola, from Johannesburg, who represented the donor said the value of the covers was R100 000. He said they had decided on making the Ikaya roof covers available as a cost-effective way of addressing flooding.
Egoli community leader Abe Fransman welcomed the donation.
Previously people used the black (building) foundation sails