Coming up on
Special Assignment:Episode Title: Street Of Dreams
Broadcast date: Tuesday, 23 June 2009
On 19th December 2007 over 1500 people took illegal occupation of unfinished houses built along the periphery of Cape Town's N2. They came from Mitchell's Plain, Belhar and surrounding areas, from backyard slums and informal settlements, to participate in the largest home invasion in South Africa's history.
Their occupation of the houses drew attention to the desperation of families for whom the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow nation, has proved elusive. It also ignited racial tensions that have long been simmering under the surface of a multicultural South Africa.
After being evicted, most of the families were relocated to the Symphony Temporary Relocation Area (TRA), until permanent housing can be found. Dubbed 'Blikkiesdorp' or 'Tin Can Town this TRA is a stone’s throw from the homes they once occupied. The remaining 129 families refused to move, preferring to set up “house” on the pavements opposite the homes which they claim are rightfully theirs.
On 9 June they heard their fate in court, when they opposed their final eviction order.
Special Assignment is on SABC3 on Tuesdays at 20h31.
Please note: this episode was originally scheduled to be on on 9 June and subsequently changed to the 23rd.