A group of 15 protestors built a shack outside Leeuwenhof, the official residence of Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, on Wednesday morning.

The protestors showed up outside her residence at approximately 3.30am in a four-wheel-drive loaded with materials and two portable toilets. GroupUp reports that the shack was set up within 10 minutes.

Speaking to GroupUp, Mihali Xalisile of the protesting group called the Housing Assembly Youth Collective, said they were “donating” the shack and portable toilets to Zille because it was Mandela Day.

Another protestor in the group added the they would appreciate if Zille would spend her 67 minutes inside of the shack and make use of the same services they use every day.

“We are sick and tired of living in these shacks,” said Xalisile.

“This has been the experience of our parents and grandparents, dying in overcrowded backyards and informal settlements,” they said. 

The protestors left at 6am, after setting up the shack on the side of the road as a “gift” for Zille.

Picture: Twitter

Article written by

Lucinda is a hard news writer who occasionally dabbles in lifestyle writing, and recent journalism graduate. She is a proud intersectional feminist, and is passionate about actively creating a world which is free of discrimination and inequality.