Upwardly mobile has taken on a new meaning for a growing number of shack owners in a Grahamstown township – and the Joneses' next door aren't concerned about keeping up, so much as keeping out of the way.
Upwardly mobile has taken on a new meaning for a growing number of shack owners in a Grahamstown township – and the Joneses' next door aren't concerned about keeping up, so much as keeping out of the way.
Sicelo Sandi is one of the trendsetters causing a stir in Extension 6.
The proud owner of a three-room double-storey shack said his neighbours thought he was officially mad when he started building his house.
"I could see from the way my neighbours and passersby looked at me that they were not approving – but it's my choice and my dream."
It took Sandi just under four weeks from starting the project to hammering the last nail on his extraordinary structure.
Made from wood and corrugated-iron sheets, Sandi says his house was inspired by a dream.
"I was sleeping and I dreamt that I was sleeping in mid-air amongst the clouds. When I shared my dream with a friend of mine we both came to a similar interpretation that I'm destined for a double-storey house. Two days later, I started building."
Mxolisi Pinyana who is Sandi's friend and co-builder of the house said they really enjoyed building the house and are busy planning to do renovations and extend it further.
Sandi said he often gets approached by strangers who want to rent the house – but he refuses every time. "I love this house and I'll never let anyone use it. It is my private space that I use when I want to be alone and relax."
Not everyone in the area is happy with this new architectural approach, though. Neighbour Mncedisi Adam says the houses are a death trap and a danger to people living in neighbouring houses.
"Strong winds can blow these houses in a windy season and the [corrugated iron]can hit people walking by, or injure our children playing."
There is a similar structure in Lingelihle location, not far from Sandi's house.
The owner is Siphiwe Nonxuba, a mechanic who does welding and spray painting. He said it had been his friend's idea to build the house as a storage place for his tools and car parts – but the house had proved a tourist attraction.
"People I've never seen stop here from time to time to ask me about the house and take pictures," Nonxuba said.
These innovative township homes aren't on the right side of the law, however.
Makana Director of Infrastructure and Technical Services Thembinkosi Myalato said the shacks are illegal because they weren't approved by the municipality.
He said buildings have to be checked by municipal town planners for safety, as well as to ascertain whether they're built on a reserved municipal area.
