Audio By Carbonatix
A community in a newly formed informal settlement near the South African city of Cape Town has given the pandemic a new twist and named their area Covid-19.
The place is occupied by people who have lost their income due to the pandemic and cannot afford to pay rent.
It has different sections named Covid-1, Covid-2 etc all the way up to Covid-19.
Many of the homes there are made from corrugated iron.
Another informal settlement nearby has been named Sanitizer. It’s partly in jest but also reflects the effects that the virus is having on some communities.
Locals have said they are aware of the growing number of informal settlements, especially at this time, but managing them is difficult.
Land is a contentious issue in South Africa and Cape Town is often cited as a prime example of how structural apartheid forced black and marginalised communities to live on the peripheries of the city often needing to spend a lot of money to get to work.
More than three million South Africans have lost their jobs since the lockdown and as the country battles with a sharp rise in infections, putting strain on the health system – the economic effects of the pandemic are beginning to hit hard too.
Latest Stories
-
Xabi Alonso agrees 4-year contract to become Chelsea head coach
47 minutes -
Ras Opoku plans ‘Smile Festival’ in Ghana
48 minutes -
Civil Service Council commends Interior Ministry for punctuality, dedication
57 minutes -
Wontumi’s Campaign condemns Presidential Staffer’s remarks over comments on ongoing court case
58 minutes -
Nhyira FM excites audience in Kumasi with massive 2026 Fufu Party
1 hour -
Ghana Exits IMF
1 hour -
Navy rescues seven suspected Ivorian stowaways from oil tanker off Tema coast
1 hour -
Tema Port Director urges maritime workers to stay fit amid rising NCD deaths
1 hour -
Man drives car into pedestrians in Italy before trying to stab them
1 hour -
Taiwan insists it is independent after Trump warning
1 hour -
Democratic governor under fire over clemency for 2020 election denier
1 hour -
Arrest made after man dies in north Dublin house
2 hours -
Whale found dead near Danish island after German rescue operation
2 hours -
GhanaThink Junior Camp inspires Wa SHS career planning
2 hours -
African Union expresses concern as Somalia talks end without consensus
2 hours