WATCH: NPO transforms Khayelitsha community with smart housing

CAPE TOWN - The smart housing community in Khayelitsha's Site C says it is not affected by crime or extortion. 

This is despite being in one of the township's most notorious areas. 

Resident Phumezo Tsibanto said community members are taking responsibility for their safety and actively working to protect the neighbourhood. 

The residents of the low-cost housing community now renamed the Soweto Caracas, are former victims of floods and fires. 

READ: Extortion rackets disrupt work in Cape Town’s townships

A privately funded NPO, Urban Think Tank Empower (UTTE), has spent over R60 million since 2013 replacing informal structures with brick-and-mortar homes. 

Tsibanto, a community leader and one of the first beneficiaries of the housing project, shared her thoughts.

"This kind of project brings security. Now, we feel like we truly own our homes. No more zinc structures or staying in shacks," said Tsibanto.

So far, over 449 units have been built in the area, benefiting around 1,400 people.