In South Africa, “digital addresses”: a solution for mapping slums
In a country where inequality remains among the highest in the world, millions of South Africans live in so-called “informal” housing, often built without permits and lacking essential public services. In the slums of Lawley Station, located about 40 kilometres south of Johannesburg, an innovative initiative is underway to address a major problem: the lack of official addresses.
Residents of these informal communities face daily challenges in accessing emergency services, receiving packages, or even simply providing their location. To address this shortcoming, a South African NGO has developed a “digital mapping” system that assigns a unique geolocated address to each home.
An initiative led by young people from the neighborhood
On the dirt paths that crisscross Lawley Station, young people dressed in fluorescent yellow gear bustle about, measuring tapes and smartphones in hand. They measure the distances between homes and record each location in a mobile app linked to Google Maps. Lesego Maphike, one of the volunteers, explains: “This is a place of worship. We try to be as precise as possible to help people find their way.” The app not only locates homes, but also identifies important landmarks such as churches, schools and water points.
The project, funded by international organizations and local partners, aims to provide each household with a unique digital address. These “digital addresses” do not replace official addresses, but offer a temporary and practical solution, meeting the daily needs of residents.
Meeting the basic needs of residents
In these informal communities, the lack of addresses complicates the lives of residents on many levels. Health and emergency services, for example, struggle to find patients when called, and delivery services often avoid these areas, deemed inaccessible without a reliable location map. With this digital mapping system, residents can now provide a precise address, facilitating rapid intervention in the event of an emergency.
In addition, residents can use their new digital address to access financial services. As part of the project, volunteers educate residents about how to use the app and the benefits of this digital address, which can be used to open a bank account or receive delivery services.
A step towards social inclusion and urban development
The “digital addresses” initiative is part of a desire to make slums more visible and integrated into urban and social systems. The city of Johannesburg and other South African cities are facing increasing demographic pressure, accentuated by rural exodus and the housing crisis. The NGO hopes that this project will inspire other similar initiatives across the country, contributing to more inclusive urban planning.
For many, this mapping is also a symbol of regained dignity. “Having an address, even a digital one, is a recognition of our existence,” says a resident of Lawley Station.
A future solution for South Africa’s slums
While the pilot project in Lawley Station has shown promising results, the NGO is considering expanding the initiative to other slums across the country. These “digital addresses” could represent a transitional solution for slum dwellers in South Africa, while highlighting the urgent need for real housing and urban infrastructure reform.
By providing a concrete response to the immediate needs of residents and promoting their social inclusion, these “digital addresses” show how a simple technological innovation can transform lives and offer a new perspective for marginalised populations in South Africa.
