Cissie Gool House occupiers welcome City of Cape Town decision to dispose of land

The City of Cape Town has, in principle, decided to dispose of the land and buildings making up the former Woodstock Hospital.

The now-named Cisse Gool House has been occupied by activists and homeless people since 2017 in a protest against gentrification and a lack of affordable housing in the City.

The announcement on Thursday was welcomed by the leadership of Cissie Gool House and Reclaim the City, who are of the view that, as presented, it offers the best opportunity to provide occupiers and others in need with affordable rental housing.

Vukisa Solo, one of the leaders at Cissie Gool House, calls the decision a victory for the occupiers of the land

"We proposed that decision, for the land to be disposed of. Now we are talking about the development of the land for mixed affordable housing."

The City of Cape Town’s current housing waiting list includes around 600,000 people.

"We are aware of the housing waiting list. Also, the occupiers do have their names on that waiting list, but this victory is different."

Solo says they believe the land should be developed and made available to the current occupiers.

He says discussions are currently taking place to have a mixed development of affordable housing on the site.

"This may also accept or allow maybe outsiders who also want to apply."

To listen to Solo in conversation with CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit, click below: