The goal of creating sustainable human settlements was steadily taking shape in spite of all current challenges. This the Minister of Human Settlements Tokyo Sexwale said in budget vote speech in Parliament today, 19 April.
“While we recognise challenges, we are saying a human settlements budget is emerging with improved coordination; there is greater clarity on the nature and severity of problems confronting the country’s residential drive; there is an accelerated delivery of quality houses that remains undiminished.”
Sexwale said his department was guided by a performance agreement he signed with President Jacob Zuma based on key delivery outputs under what is called Outcome 8.
The key outputs are:
- Accelerate delivery of housing opportunities
- Access to basic services
- Effective land utilisation
- Improved property market .
Out of the 2 700 slums around the country 1100 have been identified for upgrading. The formalisation of 206 of these informal settlements has been completed. A further 335 are currently in the pipeline for formalisation. The National Upgrading Support Programme is currently being rolled out to ensure that 49 municipalities have the necessary capacity for such delivery.
“It is important to note, in the quest to accelerate delivery of housing opportunities, that all the South Africa’s metros with two district municipalities have recently been accredited to drive human settlements’ projects. This means that, for the first time ever, funds will be directed straight from the national department into the coffers of these municipalities,” said Sexwale.
These municipalities are:
- City of Johannesburg
- City of Tshwane
- eThekwini metro
- Ekurhuleni Metro
- Nelson Mandela Metro
- City of Cape Town
- Francis Baard and Pixley Ka Seme district municipalities
Sexwale said, of all impediments, none keep us awake at night more than Bulk infrastructure and project management capacity. These pose a real danger to human settlements development, particularly bulk such as:
- Mega water treatment plants
- Major electrical power stations
- Sewerage works for sanitation
- Extensive storm water drainage system
- Roads construction and street lights
As a consequence of the above, there are projects which are at risk. For example, Lufhereng, Gauteng – sanitation. Zandvliet Western Cape, sewerage works which has reached its capacity. Lephalale – Limpopo, Cornubia – KwaZulu-Natal, Thornhill – Eastern Cape.
In respect of the above, the timely introduction of the Urban Settlements Development Grant, which was announced by Minister Gordhan, is a step in the right direction. Quite clearly more needs to be done.
Enquiries:
Mandulo Maphumulo
Cell: 079 699 5145
