Documentary ‘Mother City’ spotlights Cape Town’s housing crisis

A new documentary, Mother City, spotlights the ongoing housing crisis and inequality in Cape Town.

Directed by Miki Redelinghuys and Pearlie Joubert, the film explores this struggle through the story of activist Nkosikhona ‘Face’ Swartbooi, and the Reclaim the City movement.

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Redelinghuys says the film was six years in the making, and highlights a critical conversation.

“The activists in the film say that these occupations started as protests… it happened because the Tafelberg site – which was earmarked for social housing – was sold by then Premier Helen Zille to the highest bidder.”

She adds, “Out of frustration, activists occupied these two empty government buildings to say 'stop selling public-owned buildings and prioritise housing, we have a desperate housing crisis'... I don’t think their intention was ever to stay there, but it is now going on nine years.”

Redelinghuys explains that while focusing on Cape Town, the documentary reveals this is a global issue stemming from the "financialisation of property", homes becoming investments rather than places to live.

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“We want to raise awareness about this issue so that when we are thinking about selling land and building, we are thinking about who we are building for and what are the implications on the citizens. Is it accessible to the people who life, work and grew this city?” she says.

To listen to Redelinghuys in conversation with CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit, click the audio player below: