My heart was broken again yesterday.
I haven’t written much in my time here about some of the things I see in South Africa that make me aware of the reality of poverty and injustice. This is a story of what’s been happening recently in the Johannesburg area.
The informal settlement of Bapsfontein is a community of 3,180 families living in tin shacks. The problem other than deep poverty? It was declared as being in a state of disaster not safe for human settlement because of “dolomite instability.” Dolomite is a mineral that is soluble and dissolves over time. So, if they stayed there they would experience cave-ins like sink holes. Yes, they needed to move.
Where is the relocation site? Chief Albert Luthuli Park, a township that is not open to newcomers. Why? Because it’s already 90% unemployed, and it’s a bit difficult to have more than 3,000 new homes suddenly share the land. But despite protests on both sides, in the end neither of them have a choice.
The protest of Bapsfontein community included entrances blocked by trash and burning tires and stones being thrown at police. 28 people were arrested.
I’ve passed the relocation area a couple times now, once was during a quick clothing donation. January is the rainy season of Johannesburg and this January has been one of the wettest. It is a total swamp land. And can you imagine a family in a tin shack over a swamp land?
The move started at the very end of December. How are they moved? Their home is completely torn apart, put onto a truck, and shipped to their new land to be rebuilt. I passed by again yesterday – and in less than 5 seconds I saw the walls of tin shacks being passed off a truck along with scattered belongings. I sure don’t like moving – but I’ve never moved in conditions like this.
It’s not right.
I don’t have all the answers to the challenges I see every day. I don’t know how to solve the extreme poverty that plagues South Africa and so many other parts of the world. But I do hope that it never stops breaking my heart. I hope that it hurts every time I see it.
I gathered much of the factual information from these two articles. Check them out if you’re interested by clicking below:
Bapsfontein Relocations Suspended and Bapsfontien Relocation ‘Urgent’
Hello, as you may see above, my name is Matt Roudebush. I just read your first blog page that popped up when I clicked on the article “Why am I here in South Africa?”. I have applied to be a Mission Intern for the upcoming group. I am very hopeful to get into the program! I am very curious to learn about what previous mission interns have done while they served as a Mission Intern. I will have to come back to your page, to see what else I can learn. Please, feel free to email me, I would love to hear more of your story. Thank you and may God bless you! Matt Roudebush