Human Settlements Deputy Minister Tandi Mahambehlala is leading a South African delegation to the inaugural Africa Urban Forum, which will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The forum is a continental platform that seeks to promote sustainable development in human settlements on the African continent.

The three-day forum, taking place from 4 – 6 September 2024, will be convened under the theme: ‘Sustainable Urbanisation for Africa’s Transformation: Agenda 2063’.

Established by the African Union Commission in 2022, the Africa Urban Forum is the only high-level continental platform that brings together African countries to collaborate and coordinate their efforts to address rapid urbanisation.

The objectives of the forum include raising the profile of urbanisation as an imperative for sustainable and resilient development in Africa.

It also aims to support inclusive and participatory human settlement development in Africa’s structural transformation and attainment of Agenda 2063 and facilitating dialogues
and buy-in for sustainable urbanisation among Africa’s Heads of State and governments.

The department said South Africa has not been spared in the upward trend of rapid urbanisation, resulting in people emigrating to urban areas in search of economic opportunities.

‘This emigration has put pressure on the government to provide affordable housing,’ the Department of Human Settlements said.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Deputy Minister, Dr Dickson Masemola, and some members of the National Executive Committee Members of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) will form part of the delegation.

Source: South African Government News Agency