Community politics: A factor eroding hazard resilience in a disadvantaged community, Imizamo Yethu, South Africa
(2006) Community politics: A factor eroding hazard resilience in a disadvantaged community, Imizamo Yethu, South Africa. In Proceedings Social Change in the 21st Century Conference 2006, Carseldine, Brisbane.
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Abstract
Imizamo Yethu is an informal settlement in Cape Town, South Africa, characterised by abject poverty and high vulnerability to environmental hazards. On February 8, 2004, a major fire caused significant damage to the settlement’s housing and infrastructure, resulting in widespread homelessness and loss of personal possessions. Despite the intensity of the event, there were minimal casualties and the community re-grouped after the fire despite overwhelming odds. What was the source of this resilience amidst such disadvantage? A survey focusing on this question was conducted in 2004 with Imizamo Yethu residents. Results identified social networks and some formal community institutions as the most significant factors enhancing respondents’ resilience during and after the fire. However, the survey also disturbingly revealed that political divisions centering on a land rights dispute within the community, and on-going housing issues, were undermining community resilience. Disrupted social networks and eroded community cohesion caused by political factors have the potential to further diminish resilience against hazards in the future.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Keywords: | environmental hazards, community resilience, Imizamo Yethu, South Africa |
| Subjects: | 370000 Studies in Human Society > 370100 Sociology > 370107 Social Change |
| ID Code: | 6132 |
| Deposited By: | Willans, Bernadette |
| Deposited On: | 15 February 2007 |
| Copyright Owner: | Copyright 2006 (The authors) |