Urban utopia of exclusivity versus urban realism of inclusivity: Mall or Market Place?

Written by Tasmi Quazi & Richard Dobson Since 1996, the example of the Warwick Junction urban renewal project in Durban (South Africa) has tested the relationship between public transport, the commensurate footfall and the opportunity that this has afforded to sustaining the livelihoods of nearly 8 000 street traders. In addition, there has been reciprocal … Read more

“Look who’s changing how things are done…”

Compiled by Tasmi Quazi & Richard Dobson The call for nominations for the next round of the Investing in the Future and Drivers of Change Awards was a reminder of Asiye eTafuleni’s (AeT) recognised significance as a contributor to systemic change. Under the compelling article title above, AeT was solely profiled as winners of the Civil Society Award … Read more

A Positive Story of Street Justice

By Tasmi Quazi, Pictures taken by Prakash Bhika, Tasmi Quazi & Dennis Stols Asiye eTafuleni (AeT) has been working closely with two groups of inner-city cardboard recyclers on the Imagine Durban Cardboard Recycling Project since 2009. One of the groups in Palmer Street consists of both male and female recyclers. Through the project process, it … Read more

The Changing Face of Business

Photograph & article written by Saffron Baggallay, Compiled by Tasmi Quazi Reflecting on her experience of the Markets of Warwick Junction on 17 April 2012, Saffron Baggallay shares some very perceptive thoughts on the role of the informal economy on TomorrowToday’s blog. She writes: “…Whilst I was wondering around this magical place, contemplating all that … Read more

Designing with Informal Workers – AeT’s experience

Tasmi Quazi On the 4th of April 2012, Asiye eTafuleni (AeT) with the support of the KwaZulu-Natal Institute of Architects (KZNIA) conducted a day-long course including an exposure tour of Warwick Junction, based on the subject “Designing with Informal Workers Utilising Public Spaces”. This was an exclusive course for architects, urban designers and planners, which … Read more

The South African Informal City Exhibition & Seminar

Reported by Tasmi Quazi In celebration of World Architecture Day on 15 November 2011, Architects’ Collective hosted the South African Informal City (SAIC) exhibition and seminar, at the Bus Factory in Newtown, Johannesburg. The exhibition was on view from 11 November till 11 December 2011. The initiative was created to showcase South Africa’s most relevant … Read more

Global Recycler’s Day on 1 March 2012

What informal recyclers of the Inner-city Cardboard Recycling Project have to say by Tasmi Quazi Asiye eTafuleni (AeT) has had experience working with informal recyclers operating from public spaces, and since 2009, has been working closely with two groups of inner-city cardboard recyclers on the Cardboard Recycling Project. This is a city government commission awarded … Read more

“Embrace the Warwick Junction Experience”

Compiled by Tasmi Quazi The Markets of Warwick was featured in a local newspaper, the Berea Community, on 28 October 2011. The journalist encourages the public to embrace the experience, saying: Warwick Junction is a fascinating place and the public are invited to experience it…Schools and the public are encouraged to go along and find … Read more

“Maria – Queen of Cardboard”

Tasmi Quazi On observing informal cardboard recycler Maria Vilakazi at her workplace, Journalist Pralini Naidoo has written a fascinating article for the environmental magazine, the Green Times on 10th February 2012. Maria is a participant of the Imagine Durban Cardboard Recycling Project which was implemented by Asiye eTafuleni (AeT) for just over 2 years. Pralini … Read more