Refugees Find Safe Haven In a Cape Town Suburb

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Credit: Faatimah Hendricks/AllAfrica

More than 200 foreign nationals sought refuge at the Bothasig community hall in the northern suburbs of Cape Town. They were forced to flee their homes in Du Noon, after some of their local South African neighbours violently attacked them on May 21, 2008.
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Credit: Faatimah Hendricks/AllAfrica

Some of the Zimbaweans, Malawians, Congolese and other Africans who fled managed to bring their belongings with them.
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Credit: Faatimah Hendricks/AllAfrica

This Zimbabwean migrant brought his children out of Du Noon with him.
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Credit: Faatimah Hendricks/AllAfrica

Volunteer aid workers served food before getting the refugees organised and settled.
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Credit: Faatimah Hendricks/AllAfrica

The migrants carefully packed their belongings as they settled in to their own little spaces in the hall.
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Credit: Faatimah Hendricks/AllAfrica

Once settled, a few men played cards outside on a warm autumn's day....
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Credit: Faatimah Hendricks/AllAfrica

While others made music....
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Credit: Faatimah Hendricks/AllAfrica

... And others played a game of soccer in the yard.
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Credit: Faatimah Hendricks/AllAfrica

Some refugees managed to save their television sets and sound systems.
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Credit: Faatimah Hendricks/AllAfrica

Women too played cards after settling into the separate space that was set aside for them and their children.
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Credit: Faatimah Hendricks/AllAfrica

Innocent and unknowing, most children didn't know what was happening around them...
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Credit: Faatimah Hendricks/AllAfrica

... And some looked for adults to play with.
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Credit: Faatimah Hendricks/AllAfrica

At night, many refugees had to sleep on hard, cold floors, with only one or two blankets for comfort.