Johannesburg: Architecture in South Africa must transcend the mere act of designing buildings to actively contribute to the creation of a society where individuals can live with dignity, access opportunities, and fully engage in the social and economic fabric of their communities. This was the core message delivered by Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane during her address at the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) Education Conference.
According to South African Government News Agency, Simelane spoke at the virtual conference themed 'Architecture in Changing Times,' urging architects, educators, students, and government officials to ponder a deeper question: not just what type of buildings are being designed, but what kind of society is being shaped. For the Department of Human Settlements, this involves tackling one of South Africa's most persistent challenges: spatial injustice, a legacy of apartheid that continues to dictate where people can live, work, and access services.
Simelane highlighted that more than three decades into democracy, spatial patterns remain unchanged, with communities still experiencing significant disparities based on their location. She stressed that spatial transformation requires a collaborative effort, integrating housing, schools, transport, public spaces, and economic opportunities as interconnected components of human settlements.
During her address, Simelane emphasized the importance of viewing schools and public facilities as community assets. 'A school must form part of a living settlement, connecting to homes, safe mobility routes, public spaces, and economic opportunities,' she said. This approach, she argued, maximizes the value of public land, strengthens social ownership, and protects public assets.
Simelane called on architects to think beyond individual buildings, focusing on how structures relate to their surrounding settlements, their connectivity, accessibility, and community value. She underscored that architecture should transform public infrastructure into community anchors that foster stronger communities.
Quality architecture, Simelane noted, is an expression of dignity, and it is crucial that historically underserved communities receive infrastructure that reflects their value. She insisted that children in all areas, including townships and informal settlements, should experience excellence and quality in their educational environments.
Simelane also emphasized the significance of the construction process in contributing to local development. She advocated for creating opportunities for local workers, artisans, small contractors, and SMMEs through human settlements and public infrastructure projects. Locally appropriate construction methods and materials, she added, can build skills, stimulate local economies, and enhance community resilience.
She urged for architectural education to equip professionals not only with technical skills but also with an understanding of place, inequality, sustainability, community, and spatial justice. Simelane called for stronger partnerships between government, universities, professional bodies, and built-environment professions, emphasizing that integrated planning should begin 'on the drawing board.'
Finally, Simelane highlighted the potential of architecture as a catalyst for social transformation, urging it to be used not just for constructing facilities but for reconstructing the spatial relationships within society.