Soweto hostel residents pleased with CoJ's service delivery efforts, hoping ball is no dropped

JOHANNESBURG - After decades of living under poor conditions at a Diepkloof hostel in Soweto, residents say they are beginning to see progress after refurbishment.

A small portion of the hostel is undergoing upgrades, with most households having access to electricity after years of relying on illegal connections.

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The last year has seen community members repeatedly barricading major roads in the township demonstrating against the City of Joburg’s neglect of the hostel.

Residents have told Eyewitness News that while there is progress, dozens of dwellers live in squalor.

When Eyewitness News visited the Diepkloof hostel, we were greeted by the sight of children joyfully playing around a pile of uncollected refuse.

Shattered windows, gaping cracks in the walls and collapsing roofs were hard to miss as we went deeper into the hostel.

Despite these poor living conditions the hostel leader, Sabelo Msibi, says the little progress is bringing hope to community members.

"This is their second week busy with renovation and building of new units. After that, they will go for demolition of other units."

But he said should the City of Joburg default on its promises, they would not hesitate to burn tyres again.

"I don't want to lie to you. If they make mistakes and start with their games of duck and diving, Chris Hani Road is our friend. We'll meet them there."

The hostel was built in 1959 but residents have barely seen any service delivery.