Irene Grootboom was a South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

n housing rights

Right to housing

The right to housing is the economic, social and cultural right to adequate housing and shelter. It is recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.- Definition :...

 activist best known for her victory

Government of the Republic of South Africa v Grootboom

Government of the Republic of South Africa and Others v Grootboom and Others is an important case in South African law, heard in the Constitutional Court on May 11, 2000, with judgment handed down on October 4.- Facts :...

 before the Constitutional Court

Constitutional Court of South Africa

The Constitutional Court of South Africa was established in 1994 by South Africa's first democratic constitution: the Interim Constitution of 1993. In terms of the 1996 Constitution the Constitutional Court established in 1994 continues to hold office. The court began its first sessions in February...

 in 2000

2000 in South Africa

-February:*Tropical Cyclone Eline brings heavy rains to Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and Madagascar*The Mozambican navy begins evacuating people from low ground using rubber boats donated from last year's floods....

. The Court found that the government

Government of South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a constitutional democracy with a three-tier system of government and an independent judiciary, operating in a nearly unique system that combines aspects of parliamentary and presidential systems. Legislative authority is held by the Parliament of South Africa...

 had not met its obligation to provide adequate housing for the residents of Cape Town

Cape Town

Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...

's Wallacedene

Wallacedene, Cape Town

Wallacedene is an informal housing settlement in the eastern suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa. The settlement was established during the 1980s when the relaxation of pass laws allowed rural populations to more readily migrate to urban centres. By 2004, Wallacedene had an estimated population of...

 informal settlement. The ruling provided clear legal support for housing-rights campaigns in South Africa and elsewhere. At the time of her death in August 2008

2008 in South Africa

-January:* 12 January – Jackie Selebi is suspended as South Africa's National Police Commissioner as the National Prosecuting Authority states that they will bring charges against him for corruption and defeating the ends of justice....

, however, Grootboom was still living in a shack.