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
-
World Relays: Azamati opted out to prepare for World Championships – Bawa Fuseini
56 minutes -
Jane Opoku-Agyemang in good health – Gov’t assures
1 hour -
Kudos to Mahama, it’s a good move – Domelevo on Mahama’s asset declaration crackdown
1 hour -
Sports & Recreation Ministry engages various federation heads in Accra
2 hours -
New book ‘The Landmines of Destiny’ launched to reinforce values through literature
2 hours -
Priscilla Araba Cournooh: Taking your small business to the next level
2 hours -
Respect the judiciary if you want peace to govern – NPP warns NDC
2 hours -
U-20 AFCON: Black Satellites beat defending champions Senegal to claim first win
2 hours -
Politicisation of Bawku crisis unfortunate – Bawumia
2 hours -
Bawku Crisis: Bawumia calls for cooperation with Asantehene-led mediation team for lasting peace
2 hours -
GOC prez Richard Akpokavie calls for equitable distribution of resources to federations
2 hours -
Ukraine’s rejection of a truce: risks to dialogue and the humanitarian situation
2 hours -
God has exposed those who peddled wicked lies against me on Bawku – Bawumia
3 hours -
World Hand Hygiene Day: Gloves aren’t enough, GHS urges compliance
3 hours -
Romanian PM resigns and pulls out of coalition after nationalist vote win
3 hours