Perceptions of Hostel Dwellers The Conversion of Hostels into Family Units

Abstract

The establishment of hostels during the apartheid era was seen as immediate and long term
solution to accommodate black male migrant workers who were primarily from the Southern
Africa region, who were contracted to work in the mines and industries. These hostels were
built next to townships that were designated as black residential areas located, far from the
cities and towns that were inhabited by whites. These camps offered cheap and affordable
accommodation for the poor migrant workers who lived in forlorn poverty. The initiative of the
National Department of Housing in launching the Public Sector Hostels Re-Development
Programme with the initial funding of R325-million to change the deploring, congested and
filthy hostels into a clean habitation suited for occupation by families was embraced by hostel
inmates as a critical government’s muscle to integrate them into local communities and making
them more homely. This article argues that, although the government’s effort in converting
hostels into family units was seen as the right step in restoring human dignity and social fibre
in muddled families, there are obstacles that make dreams of thousand hostel dwellers not
realised in good time.