Speech by Deputy Minister of Human Settlements Honourable Pam Tshwete on the occasion of the NCOP debate, Parliament, Cape Town
Honourable House Chairperson Ministers and Deputy Ministers MECs
Honourable Members
Chairperson, before 1994, our people were deprived of infrastructure such as roads, houses, water, and electricity. Standing here today, we can confidently say our people’s lives have been changed for the better.
When we restore the dignity of our people through human settlements, we do not only deliver a house, but quality houses with norms and standards to support the needs of the community including persons with disabilities. Moreover, we deliver human settlements with social amenities.
Honourable Chairperson, as we are nearing the end of our 6th administration, we need to reflect and take stock of what we have achieved and what still needs to be done. When Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi joined the department in 2021, she swiftly embarked on provincial roadshows. She did this to have a clearer understanding of human settlements challenges on the ground. It was after these roadshows that the Minister pronounced priority focus areas for the sector. These are but not limited to; unblocking of blocked projects, upgrading of informal settlements, eradication of asbestos roofing and mud-houses, and finally the social housing programmes that are aimed at transforming the inner cities and locating our communities closer to economic opportunities.
The overcrowding in inner cities, dilapidated, neglected and hijacked buildings as well as continued spread of informal settlements are as a direct result of the stubbornness of the inhumane heritage of the apartheid- era spatial planning.
House Chairperson, the Census 2022 outcomes give a deep sense of satisfaction that government continues to place the most vulnerable of our communities at the centre of its service delivery programmes. Further, it reported that about 4.7 million households living in formal structures reside in BNG or government subsidised shelter, including First Home Financed housing.
The ANC led democratic government is focused on developing and implementing the policies that are aimed at amending the Apartheid-era Spatial Development dispensation. Whilst the 2022 Census shows notable progress in the provision of a better life for all, the impact of the racially segregated development of the past still lingers on 30 years into democracy.
Chairperson, the NCOP Provincial Week September 2023 paid special attention to the following areas:
(1) Eastern Cape and Nelson Mandela Bay,
(2) Corruption and maladministration that was prevalent in the delivery of human settlements programmes in Free State,
(3) Climate change induced disasters especially in eThekwini and uGu District,
(4) informal settlements upgrading and humane sanitation services in informal settlements, hostels and hijacked buildings prevalent in major cities in the Gauteng Province,
(5) service delivery and grant performance improvements in Limpopo,
(6) blocked projects of N12 City of Malasada and N14 in North West,
(8) Social Housing challenges in Northern Cape,
(9) also issues in Mpumalnga and Western Cape.
I am pleased to report that the sector has made significant progress towards resolutions of the matters identified by Honourable members in the respective provinces. Below is the progress thus far since the NCOP week:
The department was instructed to report suspicious criminal transactions to law enforcement agencies, in particular the incomplete hostel upgrading projects.
Chairperson, we led coordinated government efforts to resolve human settlements blockages in Mangaung Metro and Mathabane Local Municipality. Subsequently, various human settlements matters, including G-Hostel were referred to the Special Investigative Unit (SIU). In February 2024, the SIU announced Proclamation 155 of 2024 which targeted allegations of unlawful and improper conduct between March 2010 and February 2024.
House Chairperson, I agree with the positive turnaround progress on Vista Park Housing Projects that was observed by members during the NCOP Week. This was because of the national government, in particular Human Settlements, that led interventions to stabilise Mangaung and restore focus on service delivery trajectory.
We are deeply concerned about the deterioration of human settlements programmes in the Gauteng metros. Specifically, the City of Tshwane continues to underperform in human settlements grants. In the past three financial years, the City continued to forfeit unspent funds to the Revenue Fund.
The Cholera outbreak experienced in the Hammanskraal area in Tshwane is regrettable and was indeed a low point in the democratic dispensation, especially under the direct watch of those that claim to govern better elsewhere. This reality confirms that, in their eyes, some lives are more important than others.
In KwaZulu Natal, the 2022 disasters became the focal point during the NCOP week. The interventions from all the three spheres of government ensured that the communities that were in mass-care centres were accommodated in suitable Temporary Residential Accommodation (TRAs), Temporary Residential Units (TRUs), and identification of suitable land parcels for permanent relocations for the victims that could no longer rebuild in original land parcels.
I am pleased to report that Phase 3 of Umzumbe Cluster (A) Rural Housing Project will commence in April for a total of 300 units. The total yield of the project is 2000 units with phase 1 of 500 units and phase 2 of 300 units completed respectively.
The Council approval for Dujazana TRAs has since been received and the geotechnical studies are being finalised which will yield 293 units. With respect to Gamalakhe Rectification Project of 149 units the department is finalising the appointment of the service provider after the approval of the application was obtained.
Additionally, to improve efficiencies in responding to disasters, human settlements emergencies response has been centralised at the national department, including policy changes that emphasize use of alternative building technologies to respond to disasters in rural areas.
Honourable members raised concerns on the delays of the N12 City of Matlosana and N14 projects. The North West department of Human Settlements has since taken over the implementation of the Project from the municipality. This intervention will ensure the completion of 1667 top structures without further undue delays.
Additionally, internal services on N14 Ching Ext.10 have been completed.
Honourable Members, again during 2023/2024 financial year, in Ugu District alone, we have eradicated over 1000 mud-houses and replaced them with formal structures. The plan is to completely do away with mud-houses.
During the 2023/2024 budget vote, Minister Kubayi, elaborated in detail on the social housing programme roll- out, including numerous projects that were ready for hand-over. Following the hand-over of Lerato Park Community Rental Units in Kimberly in 2021 to beneficiaries, the development of Hull Street Social Housing programme unblocking process started in earnest. As of today, Hull Street Social Housing Programme is at roof level and will soon be ready for hand-over.
Additionally, we handed over housing units in projects funded by national government in Goodwood Station Social Housing, Maitland Mews Social Housing Project both in Cape Town, Lufhereng Social Housing and Riverside View both in the City of Johannesburg, and Clayville Social Housing in the City of Ekurhuleni. The Townsand near Marabastad Social Housing in the City of Tshwane will be launched in April 2024.
With respect to the Willow Creek Social Housing visited by the members in Mpumalanga, the wastewater treatment solution remains a challenge. The National Department of Human Settlements will ensure that the wastewater treatment bulk solution is provided for in the 2024/2025 provincial business plan.
Honourable Members, in October 2023, we launched the
Title Deeds Friday campaign to ensure that country-wide, no title deeds are kept in provincial and municipal offices.
Since the Campaign launch, about 27 842 title deeds have been handed over to rightful beneficiaries across the country. Minister Kubayi has further written a directive to several municipalities that have title deeds at hand, to ensure that these are handed over by the end of financial year. Since the launch of the campaign, the province of Free State led by MEC Makume has been doing well in terms of issuing title deeds, followed by KwaZulu-Natal under the leadership of MEC Nkosi. The number of title deeds ready for hand-over are reported to be approximately 25 560. We are picking up speed on the delivery of title deeds countywide. If asikafiki apho kuwe – silinde siyeza.
Honourable Members will be pleased to learn that Limpopo Human Settlements has significantly improved its service delivery outcomes and human settlements grants performance for the period under review.
However, the deterioration in Western Cape is a cause for concern, resulting in National Treasury stopping and withholding human settlements grants, due to poor performance. This is inexcusable when communities in Gugulethu, Nyanga and Mitchells Plain are in dire need of shelter. Xa usuka e airport, vula amehlo ujonge macala, inkunkuma…..
While today we celebrate our absolute right to property enshrined in our constitution, we are mindful of the Palestinian people in the struggle for their right to live and prosper in the land of their birth. We commend our government and the people of South Africa for taking resolute action in support of the Palestinian cause. Aluta Continua!!!!!!!!!
Human Settlements has been championing the set-asides for designated groups. On 8 March 2024, we pause to “forge a more inclusive world for women”. From the Human Settlements Sector, the commitment of the 40% set-aside for women is non-negotiable. I have been specifically tasked by Minister Kubayi to lead this programme. In this regard, numerous engagements with women in the sector, across the entire human settlements value chain, have resulted in the drafting of a road map towards a Social Compact that will continue with the efforts to strengthen the optimum inclusion of women in programmes within the Sector.
Women have proven to be very reliable in the delivery of housing units and projects, and they adhere to contractual time-frames. Honourable members, as we continue to advocate for women inclusion, I want you to know that these women are not being done a favour, but are very much capable in their different areas of expertise.
As this department, we can boast of having established a women in Human Settlements Task Team which comprises of women stakeholders within the human settlements value chain. This is to ensure the inclusion of designated groups as we are serious about the ANC led government’s slogan of “leaving no one behind”.
As I close Chairperson, the Human Settlements sector will join the international community to commemorate International Women’s Day under the theme: “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress”.
Would you therefore, please allow me to extend your theme as follows:
“As we build a viable provincial and municipal infrastructure for effective delivery of services to communities”, let us: “Count Her In. Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress”.
I thank you.
