‘25 years later and we are still in shacks’
FOR 45 years, Ballaram Pillay has lived in an informal settlement in Motala Heights in Pinetown.
Pillay, 71, and his wife, Gonum, 73, moved from Umkomaas to Motala Heights in the 1970s. Back then it was referred to as Motala Farm. The couple was in search of better living and job opportunities.
“We couldn’t bear the prospect of working in the sun or rain like our parents. We were looking for jobs with titles,” said Pillay.
He secured a job at a shoe factory and earned a meagre wage. They were able to rent a plot of land to build a makeshift home in Motala Farm and later, they looked forward to the prospect of getting a government home.
“In the mid-90s, the applications for RDP houses were open and we submitted our forms. Months later, officials from the eThekwini Municipality arrived in the area with maps.
“They said they identified land nearby where they would build houses. We were filled with joy. We thought our prayers would be answered. Little did we know that 25 years later, we would still be in shacks while waiting for houses.”
The couple survive on their pension. Their three children, who live in different areas in Durban, assist them with groceries.
“We have gotten old while waiting for our promised house but I am hopeful our day will come.”
Pathmabhy Govender, 78, who also lives in the area, said she had lost all hope of getting a home.
She lived with her parents in Motala Heights but they died in the 1980s. Govender, who lives with her 37-year-old son, Dan Naidoo, said she recalled applying for an RDP home.
“Years passed and I lost all hope. I’ve gotten older and I think I have a few years to live, so I really don’t care anymore about these RDP houses. We are living with only what we have. This is the only home we know.”
Naidoo said officials from the city recently went to their home, for the second time in years, to allocate residential numbers. Naidoo believes these numbers are for RDP houses.
“If at some point we get a house, we would appreciate it. However, we don’t believe that such is going to happen anytime soon.”
Sifiso Ngcobo, the local ward councillor, said there were plans to build houses for the people of Motala Heights.
He said he was unaware that some residents had applied for RDP homes years ago.
“We have formed a steering committee in the area that is dealing with all that is relevant to this project.
“Some of those in the area did get houses at Nazareth, outside Pinetown, around 2016.
“Some were left behind because the land to build houses was not available.”
He said the community met with municipal officials recently to raise their concerns and that feasibility studies were conducted on the land.
“The process is under way.”