Territory and exclusion: Contestations over space in Mitchell’s Plain

Abstract

In the post-apartheid city, protest action has become synonymous with land invasions. The constant growth of informal settlements in South Africa places significant pressure on local and national authorities, but more so on local social dynamics. Additionally, informal settlements tend to occur on marginal land that is not well suited to development and prone to flooding, as well as fire risks, thus making it challenging for the government to render services or install bulk infrastructure.