25 October 2007
The findings of Community Survey 2007 that have been released by Statistics
South Africa reflect a society that is steadily overcoming the challenges posed
by massive post-apartheid urbanisation.
According to the survey, more than 70% of South African households now live
in formal dwellings, up from 64,4% in 1996. The proportion of households living
in traditional dwellings decreased from 18,2% to 11,7% over the same period.
And the proportion of households living in informal dwellings decreased from
16% to 14,5%.
The statistics indicate that while people are continuing to migrate from
rural areas to the cities, the number of informal dwellings is dwindling. This
decrease can only be attributed to the massive scale of housing delivery to
poor people.
Since 1994, the South African government has constructed more than 2,4
million houses and given them away to needy households. Only the Indian and
Chinese governments have built more houses, though they have not given them
away free.
Over the same period, since the collapse of apartheid laws restricting the
free movement of people, South Africa witnessed unnaturally high levels of
migration from rural areas to the cities. In freer parts of the world,
urbanisation had been allowed to take place at its own pace. There were times
over the last 10 years that some questioned if we ever be able to build enough
houses to accommodate the stream of new arrivals.
Earlier this year the Department of Housing conducted research indicating
that the delivery of housing had finally overtaken the need. More than 2,4
million houses had been delivered, and another 2,2 million were still required.
Community Survey 2007 is further proof that we are making incredible
strides.
We cannot afford to be complacent. The highest number of informal housing is
in the North West Province (with 24%), probably because of the mining industry
in that province, followed by Gauteng with 22%. The Western Cape is fourth with
14,2% of its population living in informal settlements.
However, we are encouraged by the signs that we are making headway. We
remain steadfast in our commitment to deliver more and better houses to the
poor. We are convinced that the department's new policy of building integrated
human settlements will contribute further to create the kind of communities
that reflect a transforming society.
For more information please call:
Monwabisi Maclean
Cell: 082 8822 962
Issued by: Department of Housing
25 December 2007
Source: Department of Housing (http://www.housing.gov.za)
