Kempton Park: Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has urged the various entities and branches of her department to collaborate more effectively in enhancing the informal settlements upgrading programme. The goal is to ensure the provision of essential services and adequate shelter across the nation.
According to South African Government News Agency, Minister Simelane emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy and plan to tackle the proliferation of informal settlements, particularly in major cities and metropolitan areas. This call to action was made during the inauguration of human settlements entities’ boards and councils in Kempton Park.
The event was an opportunity to introduce and empower newly appointed board and council members within the human settlements value chain. In her address, Simelane highlighted the importance of addressing the spatial legacy left by colonialism and apartheid, which has resulted in inequalities in land access and homeownership. Many people continue to live in concentrated, impoverished areas with limited access to social and economic amenities and without security of tenure.
Simelane reaffirmed the department’s commitment to delivering 237,000 housing units for households earning less than R3,500 per month. The focus will be on securing well-located land near economic opportunities and social amenities. She mentioned that the Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses and Catalytic Projects are being implemented to integrate housing, transport, economic activities, and social services.
Simelane called for collaboration within the department, stressing the crucial oversight and support roles of the boards and councils to ensure efficiency. She stated, “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that there are sustainable human settlements, and we help to transform the spatial legacy of apartheid and build an inclusive society in line with the priorities of the seventh administration.”
The Minister also recognized the challenges posed by blocked housing projects and urged support for the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP), now known as the First Home Finance (FHF) Programme. She noted, “It might have not been adequately marketed, and it is the responsibility of the NHFC to make sure the programme is well communicated.”
Simelane concluded by asserting that this initiative would address the issue of limited housing finance for the “missing middle” and contribute to transforming the property market while enhancing governmental participation in housing finance.