Imizamo Yethu Township

We toured the township, Imizamo Yethu, just outside Hout Bay. It's one of the "nicer" townships, but crime around here is very high and frightening. As expected, there is a bit of difficulty involved with integrating these communities. It was a moving experience, even though I've done plenty of community service over the years.

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Imizamo Yetho Township sits just outside Hout Bay. It is home to over 8,000 people. A large portion of which are HIV positive - mostly women and children. A check up room inside the HIV/TB clinic, located in the township. Area doctors & volunteers run the clinic. There has been a significant amount of Irish influence here. Funds and support for new homes, from Ireland, have helped many families.
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Tight quarters Mosaic is a frequently practiced form of artwork here. Mosaic's being built inside the Iziko Lobomi community center.
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Each tile piece is clipped to fit. Some pictures are pre-drawn, others are free-form. A trainee in the community center kitchen. They offer meals for 1 Rand to the community. A "soup kitchen" lunch is available for those who have no money.
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The kitchen is a training center, to help the town people learn work skills. 4 residents of the township are chosen every 3 months to train in this program. A fire about 6 years ago destroyed the township/squatters camp, killing 5 residents. There is quite a rich story associated with the fire. Political disrest still abounds here regarding the growth, re-development and "integration" of the township residents within the local area.
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A prayer/singing circle in the community center. We were asked to participate so these are "on the fly" shots as the camera hung at my hip. The prayer undertaken by some of the women was very vocally intense and moving. This woman was exhausted, sweating and crying afterward. Anything can be a store front, or a home. This man sold vegetables.
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Inside one of the newer Irish funded concrete homes. It had 2 rooms and a bathroom. 8 people lived here. Beer bottles. Lots of them everywhere. A hurdle for any community trying to get on its feet. Inside one of the township bars.
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A room inside the bar. Looking outside Lots of dogs
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I think this was the medicine man's house. He was cooking roots and such in that pot on the fire. The pre-school... a crazy place! Precious faces
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Dancing and singing Smiles for the camera Young and innocent
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Trio The kids trampled each other all trying to get in a few last shots. The medicine man's house?
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Street kid Beautiful smile I think they keep things on the roof to keep them from getting stolen.
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Laundry Shoes clipped off were common Clotheslines frequented the scenery
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A side street shop Solo play Posing
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The vibrancy of the artwork here was impressive. Cruising Home
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Skinny pup Nike.... Squatters camp is part of the township. Shanty's built of tin, scraps of wood and tarps.
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Heading up the road Woman and her son invite us into her one room home. Town boys hanging out by the bar. Music everywhere here - it was very alive. Not just at the bar, but in many homes.
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Back of the tavern Fresh goat heads. ): A delicacy for lunch apparently. I thought it was a joke.... but we later were offered to try a bit of a cooked one some gent's were eating... yikes. Hair salons are numerous here.
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Kenny, showing us his home. He has travelled to Ireland to participate in the meetings related to his township's relationship with the government there. Street scene A woman cooking
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Menu Braai spot Center of Life - Iziko Lobomi. It serves many roles. Home to a few terminally ill, soup kitchen, social services and church.
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Contrast Small business Peaceful reading
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A home on the edge of the township Wholesalers for the township

Imizamo Yethu Township
Hout Bay, South Africa
April 2005



Last updated: 4/29/05