Xenophobia has affected everyone in South Africa and the announcement in yesterday’s People’s Post that Zandvlei Caravan Park was being prepared as a refugee camp for displaced foreigners brought the reality of the situation a little closer to home. For various obvious reasons, Zanvlei is not the most ideal of sites for this purpose; so, it was with some relief that I received the e-mail from Cllr. Demetri Qually announcing that the Cape Town has been declared a disaster area, which, in effect, means that it is now very unlikely that Zandvlei will be used to house the refugees. It also means that Provincial Government has taken responsibility for managing the situation. Although the Municipality will still remain actively involved in the situation, they will no longer be solely responsible for housing the refugees or footing the bill.

Cllr. Qually also announced that the number of refugees has dwindled from 18 000 to 12 000. May the remaining 12 000 people find happy homes soon.

Anita