People who live in informal homes made of plywood or zinc sheets in ‘shanty towns’ call them ikheji yenkukhu, because these shelters are like chicken coops. It goes without saying that there’s an undertone of the indignity of living in a way that many keep their livestock. Not to mention the discomfort or the health hazards. People living in informal structures are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather events: floods, urban fires, heat waves, and storms.

Coming April 2025