3.1 Introduction There are a number of issues relating to the subject of informal settlements. This chapterelaborates on the different types of informal settlements, the challenges faced by people living in its surroundings or environment, issues faced its inhabitants, and challenges leading to community strikes and protests. With the example of the eThekwini municipality, the chapter will look at the reasons for informal settlements and the ongoing issues of inefficient service delivery. According to Statistics South Africa (2001) the term “informal settlements” is defined as “an unplanned settlement on land which has not been surveyed or proclaimed as residential, consisting mainly of informal dwellings (shacks)”. Statistics South Africa (2001) further defines informal dwellings as “a makeshift structure not approved by a local authority and not intended as a permanent dwelling”. The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality defines it as “structures which are made of rudimentary materials (wood, cardboard, metal-sheets and mud) without any building plans approved, often on land that has been illegally occupied”. All the above definitions provide an understanding the term “informal settlements” and how they are categorized according to different sectors. Section26 of the Republic of South Africa’s Constitution (1996) underlines the right …show more content…
The first decade of democracy was characterized by authentic and symbolic vicissitude in a range of policy and housing distribution areas. Virtually every aspect of the public housing distribution system was subjected to review and revision. An incipient Constitution ensured human rights, democratic governance had promised efficient distribution of housings. As democracy deepened in the second decade, the challenges of distribution showed more sharply (Huchzermeyer