Hotel Yeoville

Slide 1: HOTEL YEOVILLE: Home & away IA Summit 2008 by Jason Hobbs, 13 April 2008

Slide 4: A brief history of Yeoville: Johannesburg in transition

Slide 5: A joke in bad taste

Slide 13: Johannesburg - the new york of africa

Slide 14: 65% of the inhabitants in Yeoville are foreign African nationals > Congo > Nigeria > Angola > Botswana > Comoros > DRC > Ethiopia > Ghana > Ivory Coast > Liberia > Malawi > Mali > Togo > Zambia > Zimbabwe You’ll find ‘little Congo’, ‘little Nigeria’; ‘little Ethiopia’’. Walking down the street you can see the difference in facial structure, physique and dress.

Slide 15: From the Congo to the Ivory Coast, through Joburg via Yeoville, then to Cape Town and a restaurant called Primi Piatti.

Slide 16: But although it’s colourful and diverse there is a much harder reality

Slide 17: “The ability of these residents to gain and retain access to the most basic conditions of urban life is … undermined by corrupt and poorly managed immigration policy. Refugees and asylum seekers are denied access to basic health services, housing and education; faced with arbitrary arrests, detentions, extortion, xenophobic attacks and more. They are isolated and excluded from mainstream South African society and their dominant engagement is with each other and with home in far away places.” Terry Kurgan

Slide 18: “Yeoville is a space of dislocation, insecurity, uncertainty, transience, neglect, crime, contest, exploitation and the transgression of boundaries. And, amongst old Yeoville residents, it is a space of romance, nostalgia and memories of another city altogether. Yeoville is a manifestation of the city making its new identity, finding itself anew, and setting down fresh roots. Again.” Terry Kurgan

Slide 19: The project

Slide 20: It’s an art work: An exhibition, A book and A community web project. It’s a cultural investigation and intervention.

Slide 21: Key players: Terry Kurgan: public realm art projects John Spiropoulos: urban redevelopment and management University of the Witwatersrand Department of Forced Migration Studies Funding from the Ford Foundation.

Slide 22: “The project aims to investigate, record and make visible the experience of the people who are living there, and to consider the implication of these reflections for the decisions of policymakers, city planners and designers. It will contribute to a bottom-up policy making process, one whose content will, through the intermediation of the project, draw on the everyday lived experience of urban residents themselves. It is hoped that the knowledge thus gained will help promote urban strategies whose central concerns are the human rights and wellbeing of all city residents.” Terry Kurgan

Slide 23: the internet café connection

Slide 24: For the past 3 years I have been researching internet cafés in Johannesburg, exploring concepts of communal computing and shared spaces of use. I was introduced to the project because Yeoville is one of three internet café hubs we identified in Johannesburg. Yeoville has over 20 cafe’s in a 5-7 block radius.

Slide 25: So the concept for the web-based community intervention became obvious from the way people were living: > Negotiate with internet café owners to make the Hotel- Yeoville website the default home page on all their terminals. > This would deliver a community website for an actual community in a specific geographic location.

Slide 26: EXPLORATION

Slide 27: Dislocation Connectedness Insecurity Security Uncertainty Certainly / reliability Transience Consistency Neglect Supported Crime Peace / safety Contest Collaboration Exploitation Opportunity Transgression Contribution Isolation / exclusion Community / Inclusion

Slide 28: Keywords explored

Slide 29: Representation Gathering Recording Making visible Sharing Exchanging Participating Collaborating Conversation Support Reconfigure Access Needs / rights Resources

Slide 30: Representation Gather Record Make visible Share Support Exchange Reconfigure Participate Access Collaborate Needs / rights Conversation Resources Regrouped

Slide 31: REPRESENT EXCHANGE SUPPORT And core themes identified

Slide 32: web intervention strategy

Slide 33: Web intervention strategy The experience must manifest these themes REPRESENT CURRENT EXPERIENCE PREFERRED EXPERIENCE Dislocation Connectedness Insecurity Security Uncertainty Certainly / reliability Transience Consistency Neglect Supported Crime Peace / safety Contest Collaboration Exploitation Opportunity / actualisation Transgression Contribution Isolation / exclusion Community / Inclusion EXCHANGE SUPPORT

Slide 34: Objectives

Slide 35: 1. Create change 3. influence 2. Measure impact 4. Support cafe owners 5. Replicate Website intervention objectives

Slide 36: Research

Slide 37: For this phase of the project we used five researchers for 3 research exercises. Researchers included: John, myself and Sephiwe (South Africa), Gini (from Cameroon) and Michael (from Nigeria).

Slide 38: We used a web based questionnaire on a temporary Hotel Yeoville website. It was the default home page on terminals of 6 of the internet cafés in the area. Total responses: 31

Slide 39: We covered 6 cafes, interviewed all their owners (or managers) and we interviewed 66 users in these café.

Slide 40: Research overview: the user Foreign African nationals, 20 – 40 years old, who’ve been here for between 1 and 5 years. In most cases the intention or desire is to stay. English and French are the primary languages spoken. Primary reasons for come to SA: study, work, business, asylum seeking & quality of life (in that order). Of those interviewed, only 9% are actually studying at present. Most are educated (with some form of degree) but 63% of those interviewed are out of work. Most are not working in the fields they studied in or desire to. The savvy begin new businesses, other often become hawkers, chefs, waiters, etc. Plans for the future: education, creating businesses or getting better jobs, creating families, fulfilling a social role, travel and to achieve a better quality of life. Personal dreams, hopes, desires: centred around owning businesses and further study. Other dreams centred around investing in their own countries (also in despotic leaders being removed). Others wanted peace, and to be able to live in South Africa without the fear of discrimination and xenophobia. Many hoped and dreamed to find jobs in their chosen profession. Others had philanthropic concerns, such as assisting those that were poverty stricken and those with HIV /AIDS.

Slide 41: Research overview: the café 40% have been used the Internet for 1 - 5 years. 45% for 5 - 10 years. Most have learnt to use the Internet at Internet Cafes. They use email, phone and sms. 71% use cafe's more than once a day. People are using the ancillary services within the cafe's too. 40% of people are using more than one cafe, 60% seem to have a close relationship with the cafe (considering that most use it more than once a day). Using these cafes is closely related to proximity to where they live, meeting friends, going to shops or they work nearby. 30% of cafe users have a PC at home and an Internet connection and 22% have access at a place of study or work but they're using cafes anyway. The main reason given is cost of connecting at home and being away from the office or place of study.

Slide 42: Research overview: use Top uses of the Internet (in highest to lowest order): email, keeping in touch with friends / family, looking for jobs, instant messaging, research / study, running a business, seeking information from Government websites, chat rooms, reading blogs, recreation / entertainment, shopping (25%) banking (15%). The biggest benefit to this community appears to be the fact that communication is cheap, accessible and fast on the internet. It keeps people connected, and makes the world smaller for them. Some people felt that it helped them to meet new people. Others felt that it was an important source of information, breaking barriers and enabling people to learn and grow.

Slide 43: Key user needs

Slide 44: "What would be helpful on the website?" 3. Accommodation finding; job seeking; advertising personal services; naturalisation / legal help / rights; communication with friends & family 4. Support groups; community news 5. Buying & selling; communication with Yeoville municipality "Would the following info be useful" 1. Naturalisation / legal / rights 2. Medical / child support 3. Crime alerts 4. Educational resources 5. Local entertainment 6. Arts & culture related "Useful tools?" 1. Notice boards 2. Conversation forums 3. messaging (IM, chat, Skype) 4. Classifieds / adverts

Slide 45: "Interacting with the local community" 1. Messaging others (email, other) 2. Personal profiles, sharing experiences, reading / viewing others 3. Sharing personal interests / creative activities (e.g. art works, photos, music) 4. Support groups Other noteworthy ideas / suggestions: - Map of Yeoville - Crime statistics - HIV awareness - Religious & sporting programmes - Seeking funding for studies - Study related information such as permits, where to study - Clubs, games for kids - Help for abandoned kids - Teaching reading for kids under the age of 10 - Recognise the existence of the gay community - Ways to learn about new technology - Unite Africa through the site - Help with finding clubs (such as a soccer club) - Help with feeling safe in Yeoville - Women's rights and support - Teachings on other African cultures and languages - Expose corruption

Slide 46: Concept development

Slide 47: Direction 1

Slide 48: Direction 2: ‘life categories’

Slide 49: Represent, exchange, support

Slide 50: Getting to interface

Slide 51: Template concept HOME | ABOUT | PROJECT BLOG | PROJECT PARTNERS | SITE MAP | CONTACT US Hotel Yeoville LOG IN > REGISTER > HELLO MIKE, LOG OUT > G INFORMATION RESOURCES > I SIN ER T ADV -- TOOLS -- GO > PHOTO OF MIKE Family Love Play Study Work Community & home Your photo > Your profile > Your inbox : You have 3 new messages . View now > You have 12 messages in your box You have 6 contacts . View now > Your classifieds : You have not posted any classifieds : Create a message > View classifieds > Your groups : You are not a part of any groups . Start a group > Find a group > Your forums : You are not a part of any groups . Raise a topic > Explore topics > TO PHO OF E Your friends & contacts : MIK P HOTO OF ... Macy > P HOTO OF ... Wilfred > View all your friends >

Slide 52: HOME | ABOUT | PROJECT BLOG | PROJECT PARTNERS | SITE MAP | CONTACT US Home page concept Hotel Yeoville LOG IN > REGISTER > G INFORMATION RESOURCES > ISI N ERT AD V -- TOOLS -- GO > Place holder graphic for photo Family Love Play Study Work Community & home ABOUT HOTEL YEOVILLE We recommend: Use classifieds to help you find jobs, accommodation or to buy and sell things. Register now > Log in > About Hotel Yeoville : Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per [INTERACTIVE ART OBJECT E TEGAN WORK] .G. inceptos hymenaeos. Sed dictum, neque eu facilisis pulvinar, velit mi nonummy dolor, pharetra New members: Gini, Mike k, Franscois, Gorgio, Sephewe, Ceephewe, Terry, Jason, John, Belinda consectetuer lorem magna vel LATEST CLASSIFIEDS VIEW ALL > LATEST FORUMS VIEW ALL > LATEST GROUPS VIEW ALL > wisi. Donec convallis, neque ut mollis vulputate, sem orci interdum 4 / 10 / 2007 I’m a qualified engineer tortor, sit amet interdum sapien Is it safe to work at night in Ralleigh street ? Finding work in IT looking for work . Please contact me if… neque ac elit. Morbi commodo Posted by MikeK mollis odio. Lorem ipsum dolor sit How to get work as a refugee Support for women who want to work amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. 4 / 10 / 2007 Lift share to Randburg . Monday , Thursday , …. Men get all the jobs !!!! Getting a job & HIV status Posted by Umtotu Aliquam nec dui. Maecenas condimentum urna eget nibh. Childcare for working women ? We need help ! Children must study not work Donec nec diam et neque 4 / 10 / 2007 I am looking for work as a lecturer in Economics . If you ... consectetuer facilisis. Etiam id Posted by Emanuel sapien vel sem imperdiet dapibus. Aliquam erat volutpat. Maecenas orci. Aenean eu metus. Donec -- VIEW IN -- GO > -- VIEW IN -- GO > -- VIEW IN -- GO > libero. Etiam imperdiet. Vestibulum nonummy blandit dui. / / / S ES S RE UR U RE TU AT AT F EA FE FE / / S/ N S AL N S AL O N AL T IO U R TI O UR TI UR O T M L M O U LT O C MO U L T RO CU PR P RO C S /P S / S/ AD AD AD New or updated information resources: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Class aptent [In WORK] Hymenaeos. Sed dictum, neque eu facilisis pulvinar [in PLAY ] V elit mi nonummy dolor, pharetra consectetuer lorem magna vel wisi. Donec [in FAMILY & HOME] Convallis, neque ut mollis vulputate, sem orci interdum tortor sit [in COMMUNITY , ]

Slide 53: HOME | ABOUT | PROJECT BLOG | PROJECT PARTNERS | SITE MAP | CONTACT US In life categories Hotel Yeoville HELLO MIKE, LOG OUT > G INFORMATION RESOURCES > I S IN ER T A DV -- TOOLS -- GO > PHOTO OF MIKE Family Love Play Study Work Community & home CLASSIFIEDS | FORUMS | GROUPS | RESOURCES Your photo > Your profile > HELP FINDING WORK: Your inbox : TIP: We’ve compiled a list of the top job-seeking websites. We recommend you use Make sure you’re fit to work in You have 3 new messages . View now > them all to increase your chances of finding work (let us know if you have other . SA. Take a look at ‘ Legal and You have 12 messages in your box resources that could help people find jobs) work status ’ in our resources You have 6 contacts . View now > section. Your classifieds : You have not posted any classifieds : Create a message > View classifieds > Your groups : Career Junction > Top Jobs > Your best job > Inanzi jobs > You are not a part of any groups . Start a group > Find a group > TIP: Make sure your CV is properly prepared. It can make all the difference Download CV templates > ! Your forums : WORK CLASSIFIEDS VIEW ALL > RESOURCES TO HELP YOU: You are not a part of any groups . Raise a topic > > Legal / work status Explore topics > 4 / 10 / 2007 I’m a qualified engineer looking for work . Please contact me if… TO > Businesses in the area PHO Posted by MikeK OF > Starting a business MIKE Your friends & contacts : > Employment agencies 4 / 10 / 2007 Lift share to Randburg . Monday , Thursday , …. > Download CV templates Posted by Umtotu P HOTO OF ... Macy > 4 / 10 / 2007 I am looking for work as a lecturer in Economics . If you ... G P HOTO Wilfred > IN TI S OF ... Posted by Emanuel R VE AD View all your friends > CREATE A MESSAGE > VIEW ALL > LATEST TOPICS LATEST GROUPS Is it safe to work at night in Ralleigh street ? Finding work in IT How to get work as a refugee Support for women who want to work Men get all the jobs !!!! Getting a job & HIV status Childcare for working women ? We need help ! Children must study not work START A TOPIC > VIEW ALL > CREATE A GROUP > VIEW ALL >

Slide 54: HOME | ABOUT | PROJECT BLOG | PROJECT PARTNERS | SITE MAP | CONTACT US Hotel Yeoville HELLO MIKE, LOG OUT > My profile INFORMATION RESOURCES > ER TI SIN G ADV -- TOOLS -- GO > PHOTO OF MIKE Family Love Play Study Work Community & home GINI’s PROFILE GINI HAS 6 FRIENDS > Your photo > Your profile > consectetuer adipiscing elit. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per Your inbox : PHOTO OF GINI You have 3 new messages . View now > conubia nostra , per inceptos hymenaeos. Sed dictum, You have 12 messages in your box neque eu facilisis pulvinar, velit You have 6 contacts . View now > ADD AS A FRIEND > SEND HER AN EMAIL> Your classifieds : You have not posted any classifieds : Create a message > FAMILY & HOME LOVE PLAY STUDY WORK COMMUNITY View classifieds > Your groups : Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, how did you come to be here? Why did you come? What has consectetuer adipiscing elit. Class aptent your experience been like? You are not a part of any groups . Start a group > taciti Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet , consectetuer adipiscing elit . Class aptent taciti Find a group > sociosqu ad litora torquent per sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra , per inceptos hymenaeos . Sed dictum , neque eu facilisis pulvinar , velit mi nonummy dolor , pharetra consectetuer conubia nostra, per inceptos hymenaeos. lorem magna vel wisi . Donec convallis , neque ut mollis vulputate , sem orci interdum Your forums : Sed dictum, tortor , sit amet interdum sapien neque ac elit . Morbi commodo mollis odio . Lorem You are not a part of any groups . neque eu facilisis pulvinar, velit ipsum dolor sit amet , consectetuer adipiscing elit . Aliquam nec dui . Maecenas Raise a topic > condimentum urna eget nibh . Donec nec diam et neque consectetuer facilisis . Explore topics > Etiam id sapien vel sem imperdiet dapibus . Aliquam erat volutpat . Maecenas orci . TO PHO Aenean eu metus . Donec libero . Etiam imperdiet . Vestibulum nonummy blandit dui . OF MIKE Your friends & contacts : GROUPS : 1. Gini joined the group ‘Day care for children’ P HOTO OF ... Macy > 2. Gini started the group ‘Cameroonians in Yeoville’ FORUMS: P HOTO Wilfred > 1. Gini commented in the discussion “Complaining to landlords’ OF ... 2. Gini commented in the discussion ‘Womens safety’ View all your friends > CLASSIFIEDS: 1. “I’m looking for a place to stay in…’ 2. ‘I have a bicycle to sell for…’ 3. ‘Looking for someone to share….’

Slide 55: Content

Slide 56: In ‘Family & Home’ HOME LOG IN UTILITY FAMILY & HOME WORK PLAY STUDY COMMUNITY NAVIGATION TOOLS RESOURCES PROFILE 1. 1. 1. Accommodation Medical aid / child support Create an boards accommodation advert / request 2. Naturalisation / legal rights 2. E-mail / alerts from 2. accommodation Forum 3. board HIV awareness 3. 4. Create comment / 5. question for the forum Help for abandoned kids (Support ) groups 4. 5. Create a group Women’s rights and support 6. Accommodation rights: purchasing and tenants 7. Clubs / games for kids 8. Financial support 9. Refugee status 10. Accommodation contracts

Slide 57: In ‘Community’ HOME LOG IN UTILITY FAMILY & HOME WORK PLAY STUDY COMMUNITY NAVIGATION TOOLS RESOURCES PROFILE 1. 1. 1. Rights & Community Add to responsibilities board community board 2. Contact 2. municipality Find a group / 2. create a group Forums 3. Yeoville history 3. Create 4. comment / 3. question for the Yeoville map Groups forum 5. Charity & NPO’s 6. Internet cafes 7. Info about other cultures in the area 8. Crime 9. Abuse 10. Religion & congregations

Slide 58: Thanks to Terry Kurgan and Mark Lewis for their permission of use of photography. Thanks to Terry Kurgan for the various extracts from documents and presentations she has made which I’ve used here. end