Minister Kubayi Advocates for Public-Private Partnerships to Expand Affordable Housing Stock

Mmamoloko Kubayi, the Minister of Human Settlements, has called on the private sector to collaborate with the government in enhancing the affordable housing stock in major metropolitan and secondary cities. According to SANews, this partnership is crucial to avert future crises.

Kubayi’s appeal coincided with South Africa’s participation in World Habitat Day, designated by the United Nations as a day to contemplate the state of habitats and the fundamental right to adequate shelter. This year’s theme, “Resilient Urban Economies. Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery,” underscores the importance of urban centres in economic resilience and recovery.

Kubayi emphasised the rapid urbanisation occurring in intermediary cities, which, according to recent data, is outpacing that of major metropolitan areas. This urbanisation is straining infrastructure and the delivery of sustainable human settlements.

The Minister reiterated South Africa’s commitment to upgrading informal settlements, a resolution adopted at the 2023 UN-Habitat Assembly, titled “Accelerating the Transformation of Informal Settlements and Slums by 2023.” Sustainable human settlements, she stressed, have a profound impact on individuals and community development, addressing economic opportunities, poverty, and inequality and fostering inclusion.

The UN-Habitat Assembly adopted critical resolutions to expedite the transformation of informal settlements as an essential approach to sustainable development, especially in the context of rapid urbanisation and climate change. These resolutions focus on addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.

Also read: City Fined R1.3 Million for Housing and Land Failure

In the 2023/2024 financial year, over R4 billion has gone to informal settlement upgrades, with an additional R7 billion designated for the Urban Settlements Development Grant (USGD) in Metropolitan Municipalities to increase housing availability and deliver essential services to residents.

Addressing the recent fire in Cemetery View, Pretoria East, which affected more than 2,000 households, the Minister acknowledged the demand for housing closer to workplaces but emphasised that government initiatives, in collaboration with the private sector, are meant for eligible beneficiaries.

Title Deeds Friday Campaign

Additionally, Minister Kubayi announced the launch of a Title Deeds Friday Campaign in October. This campaign aims to mobilise fully subsidised housing beneficiaries to collect their title deeds at municipality offices. As part of this initiative, MECs and councillors will allocate part of their Fridays to facilitating the distribution of title deeds and encouraging beneficiaries to claim them. The goal is to clear more than 30,000 title deeds by February 2024, starting with the communities of MAWIGA (Mabopane, Winterveld, and Ga-Rankuwa) north of Tshwane in Gauteng.

Also read:

Transform ‘Dark Buildings’ in Johannesburg into Affordable Housing

Picture: X / The_DHS

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