98-year-old Gadija Jaffer has been waiting for a house for decades.
Strandfontein’s 98-year-old resident, Gadija Jaffer, said she refused to cast her vote in this year’s local government election because she was tired of waiting for a house that was never delivered after more than four decades.
She is also asking the City of Cape Town for proof of ownership of a house given to her daughter instead of her.
The City of Cape Town has disputed her claim, saying that Jaffer and her daughter had received a subsidy. It said this did not make her ineligible, but that the registration was in her daughter’s name and not hers.
The City said it had offered her accommodation at a pensioner’s cottage, but that she did not meet the criteria. The family also refused the space because she needed frail-care assistance, which was being provided by her own children.
‘I want a two-bedroom house’
A year ago, Jaffer appealed to the City on her 97th birthday, claiming that she had been overlooked. Jaffer currently lives at the residence of one of her children.
She is now asking Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to personally pay her a visit.
“They promised me a house, and still I am waiting, that is why I did not vote,” said Jaffer, who is still able to read, walk on her own and a good memory.
“They said I must go to an old age home but I asked them if there is space for my daughter because I will need someone to look after me. I want a two-bedroom house because my daughter who looks after me will be with me. I remember I applied for a house after the death of my husband.”
Born on 25 May 1928, Jaffer said she applied for a government home in 1968. The City claims that the application reflected as 1998 on its system.
What the City says happened
This week, when Weekend Argus visited Jaffer and her daughter, Sharifa Jaffer, 72, who cares for her, the women shared their disappointment.
“I casted my vote, my mother voted all the years but this year when they came around for the Special Vote process, she said she does not want to vote,” Sharifa explained.
Jaffer worked in a shop until the age of 82.
“Are they going to give me a house or what?” she asked.
Sharifa questioned the City’s stance that the property was allocated to another relative - one of her sisters.
“How can (my sister) get a house in my mother’s name? My mother was the applicant. They don't know when to stop with their lies,” she said.
“Where is the title deed? She does not have the title deed.”
“My mother wants to meet the mayor, he came and saw her personally to sort this issue out.”
Sharifa Jaffer, 72,and her mother, Gadija Jaffer aged 98.
Longevity is generational in the Jaffer family, as both her parents lived to be more than 100. She is also the sole survivor of 15 siblings.
Previously, the City said its records indicated that Jaffer was originally registered on the City’s Housing Needs Register on 1 August 1988. However, during a routine data-cleaning process in 2020, it was discovered that she and her daughter had previously benefited from a housing opportunity through an individual housing subsidy.
Why the City says a pensioner’s cottage was unsuitable
This week, the City of Cape Town told Weekend Argus that officials had tried to engage with the family over the past year and referred again to its records of the housing subsidy.
“The City can confirm that our officials had multiple engagements with Mrs Jaffer through her daughter over the past year,” said the City.
“Mrs Jaffer's case was also taken to the City's Housing Allocations Oversight Committee for priority housing consideration; however, an appropriate housing mechanism could not be found within her Human Settlements Department's programmes.
“It is important to note that Mrs Jaffer and her daughter, had previously benefitted from a housing opportunity through an individual housing subsidy. The subsidy was approved in both of their names, and a property was acquired through this process.
Family disputes the City’s housing account
“While the property was officially registered in the daughter’s name, this transaction still constituted a housing benefit under the policy in place at the time. The property was sold in 2011. In keeping with the City’s Housing Allocation Policy, which ensures fair access to housing opportunities for qualifying beneficiaries, Mrs Gadija Jaffer’s registration date was updated to 15 November 2012.
“This date reflects her first renewed contact with the City after the sale of their property. This decision was made in accordance with the applicable housing policies to ensure fairness and consistency across the system.
“In the City's recent engagements with the family, we explained that as a result of the previous property ownership, Mrs Jaffer cannot qualify for another subsidy-linked housing opportunity but instead could be considered for a non-saleable City rental opportunity.”
The City then stated that it had offered Jaffer a pensioner’s cottage.
“As priority is given to the aged and vulnerable, the date of registration is still a factor within these categories. Mrs Gadija Jaffer’s date has not been reached for a housing opportunity within her preferred rental areas,” it said.
“In October 2025, another request was made to consider Mrs Jaffer's application for priority housing, with the possibility of assigning Mrs Jaffer a pensioner’s cottage. To further motivate this consideration, the City contacted the applicant to enquire about the possibility; however, the applicant’s daughter advised that her mother cannot live alone in such a cottage.
‘The City has shown no compassion’
“Unfortunately, the City cannot accommodate persons requiring ongoing living assistance in its pensioners' cottages because these facilities are intended for elderly persons who are capable of caring for themselves or each other.
“Consequently, persons who require ongoing assistance with daily activities or specialised care may not meet the eligibility criteria for pensioners’ cottages, as the City is not equipped to provide the level of care required.”
Further to that, the City said that the Western Cape Government’s Social Development office had also liaised with Jaffer’s family about her accommodation in February this year.
“The investigation further noted that the family does not want any assistance through Elderly Persons Programmes offered by the Department of Social Development, as they want a family home,” it said.
“Due to the needs of Mrs Jaffer and the City's Human Settlements Department not having an appropriate facility within its direct control to satisfy this need, we are unable to assist with an immediate housing opportunity. Mrs Jaffer's application will, however, remain active on the City's Housing Needs Register and continue to be considered for future rental housing opportunities in accordance with the City's Housing Allocation Policy and applicable selection criteria.”
Riyad Isaac, who was a ward candidate for Ward 43 for the United South Africa (USA) party and has been fighting for Jaffer’s plight, said the City had shown no compassion by offering accommodation at an old-age home.
“It saddens me to see that I have been addressing this matter with the City for so long and every time, there seems to be a better excuse than the previous one,” he said.