PERSONAL ARGUMENT

It was reported that the total Hout Bay residents escalated from 18 500 inhabitants in 2004 to a staggering estimated 45 000 today. This tells us that it is the Imizamo Yethu settlement continues to increase exponentially in size.

Ratepayers have increased at a much slower pace suggesting that Imizamo Yethu settlement is increasing exponentially. The increased population pressure and the need for residential land deplete natural resources. This intensification of finite resources, results in a larger gap between the wealthy and the poor. This depletion of resources has a major affect on the environment and problems that arise include:  destruction of trees, danger of soil erosion, landslides, lack of water, and danger to humans, flora and fauna.

The continued population growth contributes to the economic recession as inhabitants cannot contribute into normal society in terms of rates and taxes, and there is a continual reliance on grants and social handouts. The residents are economically destitute. This becomes a self-compounding problem for both ends of society as the gap is widened between the rich and poor further. 

Exacerbating this situation, the economical recession has caused more jobs to be lost. Up to 50% of the population was recorded as living below the poverty line.

As a result of the unemployment, the economy doesn’t grow and the government and local municipality are expected to provide and fund the residents.  However, how long can the municipality be expected to fund?

There is also the emotional factor that has contributed to the problem. Our history and the legacy of apartheid have resulted in racial segregation and income inequity, which is still evident today.

Tension within the immediate society of Hout Bay between the established white area and the informal settlements has aroused conflict, as the privileged are expected or encouraged to support the less fortunate. The whites believe the township destroys the environment and the township feels they deserve better facilities.

At present, there has been a major impact on the environment.  The primary issues include the exploiting of resources in order to survive.  There is an increased demand for the world’s resources, yet the supply is decreasing at a rate faster than it can be replaced. (Fergus and Rowney, 2005)

The second primary impact on the environment is the detrimental affects of e-coli and bacterium living in the water.  E-coli can be extremely fatal to humans as well as animals and the surrounding environment.  The bacterium kills off many flora and fauna and has a major impact on surrounding eco-systems.

The secondary affects of the water pollution have an impact on tourism as the visual aesthetics of the environment are ruined.

If the problem amongst Imizamo Yethu and more specifically the Disa River are not resolved, we may face a major crisis down the line. Whilst media has portrayed that there is a sufficient improvement around South Africa, those are short-term solutions, and are unlikely to be sustained over a prolonged period.