The politics of housing

Housing in South Africa is a serious political issue around which communities have rallied continuously, accompanied by violent protests. CATHERINE NDINDA, UFO OKEKE UZODIKE and LOLITA WINNAAR examine the changing housing landscape by discussing issues of access and mobility. The data used for this article is derived from the 2006 to 2008 South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS), a nationally representative survey that targets adults living in households aged 16 years and older. The question that was analysed reads as follows: 'Indicate the type of dwelling that the household occupies'. A breakdown of access to housing suggests that the residential landscape is still divided according to race.