Hon MEC Helen Sauls- August hosted the fourth annual Joe Slovo Memorial Lecture as part of celebrating Human Settlements Month and World United Nations Habitat day.
The lecture is held in honour of the late Joe Slovo as the first Minister of Housing in South Africa and a champion of low cost housing. This year the lecture was celebrated in OR Tambo Region at Mbizana Local Municipality under the theme “Changing Cities, Building Opportunities”.
In attendance were the Member of the Human Settlements Portfolio Committee in National Parliament, Executive Mayor Alfred Nzo District, Mayor of Umzimvubu Local Municipality, Councillors, University of Fort Hare, Stakeholders, Top Management of the Department and members of the civil society.
Unpacking the “theme” keynote speaker Honourable Phumulo Mussualle said better planned cities guides us to cities with better education, better health institutions, energy efficient buildings and efficient transport system. He further explained that Human Settlements is about access to range of basic services without any form of discrimination.
Dr S J Mbanga welcomed the University of Fort Hare that is planning to open a four year programme that will focus on Human Settlements development as this will assist the issue of capacity building to skill and equip interested individuals on Human Settlements.
Hon MEC for Human Settlements Safety and Liaison concluded the session in response to the questions from the floor by stating that the lecture is focused on the improvement of people’s lives by celebrating Joe Slovo.
