CIVIL SOCIETY VOICE

As I write now after a full day of continuous rain 927 informal houses / shacks are flooded affecting 5300 people. For tomorrow the forecast is 100% chance of rain and at 10x the measurement for today. Saturday will be 60% at 6x the amount for today: more than 5mls of rain..

It seems that every place that could be flooded will be flooded in the next few days.

Disaster Management is busy clearing out drains and handing out blankets and food.

Pick 'n Pay has prepared trolleys full of food to share amongst the NGOs that will be working with Disater Management and just came on radio to tell the world about it. I share in collective thanks and appeal that they also drop the price of increasingly expensive food.

The affected people still want to stay at their sites for now. The problem is that once they leave their shacks there is no telling what will be pilfered and they could return to a bare site once the water subsides.

Hopefully president Zuma is noting the rain and the flooding and the great need for housing. He said that the new government will be responsive. People in informal setlements and backyard dwellings are desperate for decent housing.

As I write it has started to rain. Winter in Cape Town is both cold and wet. It can be windy and stormy. Like with the mountain some will go out on sea because it seems to be clear although a weather change had been forecasted. They can lose their boats and also their lives.There are always some crazy NSRA members that will go out to attempt a rescue with the least break in the weather. There are also always some crazy members of the Search and Rescue teams that will brave the mountains and b...
Continue reading...

EVE is the acronym for Ensure Viable Environment. The name EVE is meaningful in many ways. Amongst other associatins it is also the English name for one of our historic Khoi women Eva. One day I will publish her story on the blog. Eve is also the mother: the nurturer...

MCA stands for Matroosfontein Civic Association.


Continue reading...

Recent  increases in food prices, climate change and GM related issues threaten food security for civil society. There are about 500 known food gardens in the Western Cape which are supported by governmental development services. There must be other gardens out there. There are many groups working on these issues.

In this blog I hope that we will connect with each other, support each other and develop strategies for food security and lobby groups.

As this blog develops I will upload pictures an...
Continue reading...