QQ Section

Structure and location

There are about 650 families living in QQ Section in Cape Town, South Africa. It is occupied mostly by migrants from the Eastern Cape and backyard-dwellers from the old overcrowded sections of Khayelitsha. It is located on land owned by Eskom beneath power lines.

Conditions

The informal settlement is well known as one of the most under-served and neglected communities in Cape Town. It has no services except for eight water taps. The city has refused to build toilets in the settlement and residents have to either pay homeowners in Q Section to use their facilities or cross the N2 freeway and use an open field. Despite living under electricity pylons, government refuses to install formal electricity in the community. Residents instead have to resort to illegal electricity connections. As a result, there have been shack-fires in the community.

Protests

QQ Section is collectively affiliated with the movement Abahlali baseMjondolo which has an office in the settlement It has been on the forefront of various protest actions led by concerned residents and Abahlali baseMjondolo of the Western Cape. These protests have been in response to the refusal of government to provide the community with services, the slow pace of relocation of residents and the lack of engagement from government. Protests by the community have included marches to the Mayor and Premier, civil disobedience and road blockades.

NGOs and Research

QQ Section has been the site of intervention by a number of NGOs. Most prominent is the work of the NGO CHOSA, which supports a community-run daycare centre inside the settlement. It has also been the site of academic research because of its role as part of Abahlali baseMjondolo in leading various prominent protests and strikes in the Khayelitsha area.

References

References

1. Abahlali baseMjondolo. "Notes on a Visit To Qq Section". Abahlali.org.
2. (18 July 2005). "Atrocious QQ Section Stuns Community". Iol.co.za.
3. "A crisis of dignity – 5 humiliating years later". Timeslive.co.za.
4. Independent Newspapers Online. (5 May 2010). "No kick-off for blackout victims of QQ-section". Capetimes.co.za.
5. (6 May 2008). "Whose South Africa?". Mondediplo.com.
6. Abahlali baseMjondolo. "105 homeless in shack fire in QQ Section, Khayelitsha". Abahlali.org.
7. Independent Newspapers Online. (5 May 2010). "Simon's Town fire 'under control'". Capeargus.co.za.
8. Abahlali baseMjondolo. "Abahlali baseMjondolo: 'a home for all'". Abahlali.org.
9. [http://www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=285&fArticleId=vn20050609063937750C271832 Cape Town mayor's no-show angers residents]
10. [http://www.capeargus.co.za/?fSectionId=3571&fArticleId=vn20090725062729698C847631 'Rivalry and negligence' to blame]
11. Independent Newspapers Online. (30 January 2006). "Cape Residents ready to take to the Streets". Iol.co.za.
12. Independent Newspapers Online. (5 May 2010). "Khayelitsha residents to be briefed on solutions for service delivery". Capeargus.co.za.
13. [http://www.vocfm.co.za/index.php/component/k2/itemlist/tag/Chosa QQ needs new creche] {{Webarchive. link. (2 June 2014 , ''VOCFM'', 5 April 2012)
14. Jared Sacks. (20 September 2018). "On Militancy, Self-reflection, and the Role of the Researcher". Politikon.