Sinazo Jordan has become a vocal advocate for the community and was instrumental in the formation of the Singabalapha organisation, which means "we belong here". The group initially occupied the abandoned building in order to be closer to the city and to have access to potential economic opportunities.

The new construction site looms large alongside the settlement that has grown on the sidewalk. Safety is a big concern for residents of the community with no protection from falling debris.

The settlement exists along the busy main road that runs from the centre of the city of Cape Town to the Southern Suburbs. The slopes of the Devil's Peak mountain in the background rise above some of Cape Town's more affluent neighbourhoods in the distance, with the settlement positioned along the intersection where these different worlds collide.

Lindelwa Traore has been living in the community for years and has been struggling with Asthma exacerbated by the dust emanating from the construction site.

Made from wood and corrugated metal, the residents' shacks offer limited protection from the dust caused by the building activities. The wind then blows the dust inside, leading to a constant layer of dirt on all the surfaces.

Lindelwa displays how the dust gets into her clothing. With no access to a fixed water source, cleaning clothes is very challenging.

The informal settlement has no electricity, so residents have to use rechargeable lights, which they power up during the day at nearby businesses or using small solar panels.

With no fixed water sources, Lindelwa and the other residents of the community have to walk several kilometres to fill up 25L drums, which they use to store water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. As there is no source of electricity, residents rely on open fires or small gas stoves to cook all their meals.

A young man sleeps during the day in the small shack that he shares with his mother and 6 other siblings. Youth unemployment rates are staggeringly high in South Africa, with close to half of all those under 35 unable to find consistent work. As a result, many despondent youth struggle with substance abuse, depression, and other related challenges.

"The pursuit of Happiness"

Sinazo looks out of her shack at the building crane right next door.

Constructed from wood and corrugated metal, the residents' shacks are hot in summer and leak in the winter rains, and it is a constant challenge to patch holes and plug gaps from letting in the wind and the cold.

Eddie and his wife run a small store from the front of their home, selling goods to the many people who pass by. As the community is on the sidewalk of a main thoroughfare, there is a constant stream of people passing by, but Eddie has had challenges with City official wanting to shut down his store for not having the correct permits.

Community members write on placards as they prepare to protest outside the main gate of the construction. They wish to voice their health and safety concerns related to the ongoing construction.

Sinazo and other community members write on cardboard signs in preparation for a planned protest.

The messages posted on various online platforms and community WhatsApp groups indicate just how divisive the controversial occupation by the community continues to be.

The group of community protesters gathers outside the main entrance to the construction site.

Placards are raised as community members plead to be recognised, and their plight acknowledged.

Protestors chant and dance while waving their placards outside the main entrance to the building site.

A community member ties a banner to the fence of the construction site. The name "Singabalapha" means we belong here and has become the slogan that has galvanised the small group of residents, along with some civic organisations and members of the broader community.

Ralph, one of the men who has been living in the community for several years, holds a sign in protest over ongoing safety concerns.

Emotions run high as protesters voice their grievances and confront the staff present on the construction site.

Representatives of the construction company discuss the situation with community members through the bars of the closed gate of the construction site.

Representatives of the construction company discuss the situation with community members. The gate stands not just as a physical barrier but also as a symbolic one separating the community and the construction workers.