Freedom Park

Freedom Park (within Tafelsig):

Freedom Park, formally an informal settlement, but recently upgraded into formal housing is located in Mitchell’s Plain, one of the biggest townships in Cape Town. Freedom Park was established in 1998 when a group of backyard dwellers occupied a parcel of vacant land which had been zoned for a school that was never built. The residents of Freedom Park lived without basic services like water, electricity and sanitation until 2001 when the municipality provided rudimentary services. A livelihoods analysis conducted in the area in 2004 revealed challenges of crime, drug abuse, alcoholism, domestic violence and community conflict, high levels of food insecurity with 64% of residents reliant on social grants. The construction of formal houses started in 2007 and was completed in 2009.